Akin leaves King Street and finds more space for artists as part of Akin River and Akin Ossington Studio Expansions
Akin is excited to announce the expansion of two existing Akin studio locations - Akin Ossington (888 Dupont St at Dupont St and Ossington Ave) and Akin River (77 River Street near Dundas St E and River St) to support the move of over 70 artists facing eviction from Akin King as development plans for the site move forward. Our new studios will open on June 1, 2019.
By relocating Akin King artists in this way, Akin can again keep studio communities intact along with the friendships and collaborations that make them so important. Instead of facing eviction alone, artists can move with us as a unit - maintaining a practice in an affordable space as part of an active, vibrant and supportive artistic community in downtown Toronto.
The eviction from Akin King did not come as a surprise- we are thankful for the time we have had there and are proud of the community that has grown and flourished. In February 2018 Akin began leasing space from Allied Properties REIT that would otherwise have been unused during the period before demolition, enabling Akin to create social and economic value from buildings that would otherwise remain vacant. Leasing of dormant space like this with ‘meanwhile leases’ has effectively supported artists for years and allows Akin to continue offering studio rentals to artists across the city.
Akin would like to thank Allied Properties REIT for having us as tenants on King St West, as well as TAS for their continued collaboration with us on the new and existing spaces at Akin River and Akin Ossington.
This exciting expansion will increase Akin’s size to approximately 40,000 sqft of studio space serving nearly 350 artists, enabling us to address the ever-increasing scarcity of affordable workspace in our city.
Studio rentals start as low as $70/month and Akin's new studios are easily accessible by subway, streetcar, bus, bike, or car. Studio rentals are month-to-month and include 24/7 access to the studios, taxes, insurance, wifi, access to communal working areas as well as storage, kitchen, and bathroom.
Studio tours are by appointment only. For more information, pricing inquiries, to book a tour or to share ideas, please get in touch:
CONTACT:
Jen Pilles
info@akincollective.com