Artscape’s work is dependent upon the innovative partnerships we build with development firms and agencies, various business networks, and all levels of government. Sought for their ability to help us deliver our programs, share risk, attract resources, and generate momentum, our partners also have a stake in what we do and derive value from our projects, programs, and services.
As an effective intermediary, we broker deals and foster relationship between individuals, companies, governments, and community members. Our board and staff have cultivated the skills to communicate with and align interests between urban planners, private developers, community and economic development officials, financial institutions, cultural policymakers, members of the creative community, and politicians.
Government
Symbiotic partnerships with government agencies allow Artscape to raise support funds and the government to achieve their program and policy objectives. While we are an independent organization, we have cultivated a close relationship with Toronto’s municipal government. Two Toronto city councillors sit on Artscape’s board of directors, and Toronto’s Economic Development Corporation provide us with operating grant support.
At the provincial and federal levels, Artscape benefits from program and capital support, as well as the occasional nugget of policy advice. Partnering with government and its agencies is also key to leveraging support from investors and other stakeholders.
Government funders invest in Artscape for a wide range of purposes, some of which include:
- Supporting artists and the cultural milieu
- Regenerating communities
- Creating access to RGI (Rent-Geared-to-Income) and below-market rate housing
- Promoting community economic development
- Advancing best practices in the use of green-building technologies
Development
Artscape negotiates public, private, and not-for-profit sector partnerships in order to accomplish real estate and other objectives. Several of Artscape’s buildings, such as the Parkdale Arts & Cultural Centre, Artscape Gibraltar Point and Artscape Wychwood Barns, have been developed in partnership with the City of Toronto. Artscape Liberty Village involves a long-term partnership with the Toronto Economic Development Corporation.
While public sector partners look to Artscape to help them achieve government policy and program objectives, private sector partnerships (which have resulted in projects such as the Artscape Liberty Studios and Artscape Queen West Triangle, opening in 2010) hope to advance their financial interests and add value to their developments. We offer support with a variety of services, including:
- Animating the streetscape of condominium developments
- Meeting community benefit requirements
- Garnering community support
- Contributing to a project’s cache
Artscape has a proud track record of negotiating solutions in the best interests of public and private development, community activists, and the creative community.
Networks
From our involvement in the Liberty Village Business Improvement Area to our regular contributions to national and international forums on cultural planning and the creative economy, Artscape’s connection to a number of formal and informal networks (including the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association and the Ontario Ministry of Culture’s Advisory Council) plays an important role in advancing our interests.
The Creative Space Enablers Network, which Artscape helped to set up in 2008, is a prime example of our successful network-building. With a focus on creative space solutions, CSEN engages government agencies with a network that includes ArtsBuild, Creative Trust, Municipal Cultural Planning Partnership, and a number of not-for-profit and private creative space providers.
