{"id":73195,"date":"2021-12-06T17:01:10","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T22:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=73195"},"modified":"2021-12-06T17:01:10","modified_gmt":"2021-12-06T22:01:10","slug":"the-scoop-lease-non-renewal-toronto-displaces-70-artists-arts-organizations-distillery-district","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2021\/12\/06\/the-scoop-lease-non-renewal-toronto-displaces-70-artists-arts-organizations-distillery-district\/","title":{"rendered":"THE SCOOP | Lease Non-Renewal Displaces More Than 70 Toronto Artists & Arts Organizations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo courtesy of Tapestry Opera<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Artists and artisans have been at the heart of the Distillery District since it opened in its refurbished form in 2003. That seems likely to change in the coming year, after a notice was sent to more than 70 artists and organizations that their lease would not be renewed in 2022.<\/p>\n

According to a media release by Tapestry Opera, Tapestry, along with groundbreaking Nightwood Theatre, Dancemakers, and more than 70 other artists and organizations received notice that their premises at the building known as Artscape in the Distillery (15 Case Goods Lane) would have to be vacated, many by March 2022, five months earlier than the final date of the lease (August 2022).<\/p>\n

The loss of another arts space<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As the release notes, a 2018 letter from Artscape had confirmed a five-year tenancy, which enabled organizations to proceed with studio and other upgrades via grant funding.<\/p>\n

Tapestry, Nightwood, and Dancemakers are founding tenants of Artscape in the Distillery, and the site has incubated work that has toured the country, won Juno nominations, and supported many independent projects along the way.<\/p>\n

Michael Mori<\/strong>, Tapestry Opera\u2019s Artistic and General Director, is quoted in the release. \u201cWe had faith, given the vital impact we have on the culture of the Distillery District, that the arts would continue to have a home here. In addressing this reality, we are faced with finding a new venue in a city that has already seen numerous small venues and venue operators closed down, threatening the survival of independent dance, theatre, music and opera.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re heartbroken that the loss of yet another artistic space in Toronto will impact the many artists and arts organizations who rely on our affordable space to create. We\u2019re also distressed at having to interrupt our organizations\u2019 seasons at this key time of returning to live productions after almost two years of COVID-19.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrea Donaldson<\/strong>, Nightwood Theatre\u2019s Artistic Director, also commented. \u201cWithout the unique presence of artists, the Distillery will become all sheen, no substance. While we are powerless in this situation, we hope that this gross example of cultural extraction offers a cautionary tale, and that Torontonians will begin to assert their will against the decimation of cultural presence, rendering the city we love inhospitable. A change in city policy may be the only thing that can truly address the challenges for a sustainable arts scene in Toronto.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Some upsetting news: we\u2019ve been asked to leave our office and The Ernest Balmer Studio in the Distillery Historic District, with Nightwood Theatre and 70 other artists also affected. https:\/\/t.co\/IINoEOWWLa<\/a><\/p>\n

— Tapestry Opera (@TapestryOpera) December 6, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n