NEW WATERFRONT STUDIO? : We need your input by June 18th! https://bit.ly/3zcsYmd

As part of our ongoing work to source available and accessible studios for artists across the GTA, Akin is considering opening a brand new studio in a space along the waterfront! We’re hoping to gauge interest, and would love your feedback on a few quick questions. The building is a 20 minute walk from Union Station next to the lakeshore along Queen’s Quay E. It’s also accessible on TTC using the 6 Bay Bus Route or the 72 Pape Bus. You can view a map of the location at this link: https://goo.gl/maps/hmL5y1cPU2PZ3whx8 .

Members of the studio would have access beginning in early autumn 2021 (September or October) and we will likely be engaged for a minimum of 2 years. Our occupancy could be longer depending on development plans for the site. There will also be limited on-site parking available for Akin members, and your input may influence some of the design choices that the developer is considering for the build-out.

To better suit the needs of the community and the artists within it, we’re asking you to fill out this brief survey: ( link: https://bit.ly/3zcsYmd )

Your ideas and suggestions will be invaluable to the process of defining and designing the space, and we’d like to hear from you on cultivating a dynamic and creative location. Your expression of interest (or lack thereof - it’s helpful for us to know this too) is needed by Friday June 18th. Akin’s mandate holds the needs of our community in high regard and we appreciate your effort and engagement, so thank you in advance!

Priority for these studios would be given to Akin members who have faced eviction from our former Akin Sunrise and Akin River locations, as well as those who have been on the Akin waiting lists for 6 months or more. We also give priority at all our studios to Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Groups (Persons of Colour, Deaf Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Living with Mental Illness, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQIAP). Even if this location does not work out, your responses will be incredibly helpful as we try to secure more space for artists in this part of the city.

Thank you so much for your time! We really appreciate it and hope that we can work with you to activate this space with arts and creativity. If you have any questions please send an email to: info@akincollective.com.

XO - The Akin Team

ABOUT AKIN:

Akin is a Toronto based not-for-profit arts organization that provides affordable studio space to visual artists, designers and creatives. Our studios maintain an inclusive, friendly and inspiring atmosphere where people can work on creative endeavours and entrepreneurial undertakings of all kinds. We also host a variety of arts programming and educational events on an on-going basis across three streams: professional development opportunities for practicing artists, creative workshops and programs, and community engagement projects.
www.akin.art