Save the Artists Network - by Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Councillor Mike Layton

The Artists Network, formerly the Riverdale Artists Network, is a critically important assembly of artists working for artists on Queen Street East and beyond. In their role of bringing the public and artists together, they hosted the well-loved Little Art Show for many years in east Toronto. They initiated and still to this day convene and run the Riverdale Art Walk, now held at Jimmy Simpson Park, every year. Ten years ago there were many galleries on Queen Street East in Riverside and Leslieville. This is no longer the case. Gentrification on Queen Street East has forced The Artist Network to move three times in the last six years but they managed to stay on Queen Street East. Now they once again have to move - by the end of June 2019. They have reached out to ask the City for help in finding accommodation in the east end to continue their work. They have received support letters from Toronto Arts Council and the Local Arts Service Organization, East End Arts, to continue their co-ordinating role for artists and promotion of art in the east end. It would be a terrible loss for the arts community and for east Toronto if this long-standing organization becomes homeless.