Spaces for Creative Development, October 1, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at Pia Bouman School Studio, 6 Noble Street

So sad Pia Bouman's losing their space on Noble Street. Pia has sent an open invitation to a symposium entitled Spaces for Creative Development and Learning on October 1, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at Pia Bouman School Studio, 6 Noble Street. More details below.

Dear All,

The opening of the Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement nearly 40 years ago was the beginning of what has become a much loved creative space at 6 Noble Street for children, for students of dance and for artist in different stages of their creative career.

The site at 6 Noble was purchased to be turned into condominiums, and despite a year and a half of conversations with the city and the developers, they will not make space for the Pia Bouman School, and the extended community of local and international artists who make the space a thriving hub of artistic activity, to remain at this location.

Parkdale, and Toronto, is going to lose another beautiful, historic, and much-loved community arts space. Sadly this is not an isolated occurrence, as we watch many community-based art organizations, non-profits, and small artistic companies get pushed out of their spaces and out of the city centre.

Art, music, dance, theater, creation of any kind are the heart and soul of a city, they are its conscience, its critic, its lover, its heartbeat. Art consoles, gives reason to speak out, to celebrate and to mourn.

We would like to host a conversation about making space for the arts in Toronto. We would like to invite you to attend our Symposium Spaces for Creative Development and Learning on October 1, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at Pia Bouman School Studio, 6 Noble Street.

The symposium aims to talk about: o How to cultivate a future for community arts organizations in the city

How to engage communities, city officials, and audiences in our efforts

Ways to reverse the tide that is driving smaller arts organizations, live-work spaces

and venues to the periphery of the city

How to make sure that arts education stays accessible to all children and youth

The need for spaces for artists within a reasonable distance of where they live

How to foster genuine recognition of the importance of art spaces within the city

 

If you know of any one else you think would be interested in partaking in this so crucial and important topic please let us know, or pass on this email.

with warm regards,

Pia Bouman and Lucy Westell