The filed record
Support for the Relocation of the It’s Ok* Community Arts Studio - by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, seconded by Councillor Brad Bradford
The Public Gallery wrote no story on this item. What follows is the city’s own record of what happened to it, as filed: nothing on this page is summarised or scored by us.
The decision
2024-05-22 · Toronto City Council · adopted
As filed
City Council on May 22 and 23, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, CreateTO, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and other City divisions as appropriate, to continue to prioritize work, in coordination with It's OK Community Arts, to identify suitable City-owned space as future
Show the rest of As filed, 169 more characters as filed
leased premises for It's OK* Community Arts on completion of the Term at 468 Queen Street West, and report back to the Toronto Music Advisory Committee in November 2024.
On the agenda
As the city filed it
It's Ok* Community Arts in Toronto is a Black-led, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting Black artists, primarily from the Black Canadian diaspora. For the past two years, their work has been centered at the It's Ok* Studios, an interdisciplinary arts space in the Queen West neighborhood. This current facility at 468 Queen St W is City owned, and will be transferred to Parks, Forestry, and Recreation in April 2025.
Show the rest of As the city filed it, 687 more characters as filed
As work on the future on-site park is expected to begin next summer, a lease extension is not possible at this time. The It's Ok* Studios is a beacon of opportunity and empowerment for Toronto's Black artistic community and welcomes community locally and from across the City. It provides a space for artistic expression, fosters collaboration, and equips artists with the tools they need to thrive. It is important for the City to continue this relationship, as the search for a new location is set to begin. This motion is urgent as a new location is needed to be found immediately for It's Ok* Community Arts Studio as their current lease is expiring April 2025 and cannot be renewed.
Staff recommended
Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, seconded by Councillor Brad Bradford, recommends that: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, CreateTO, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and other City divisions as appropriate, continue to prioritize work, in coordination with It's OK Community Arts, to identify suitable City-owned
Show the rest of Staff recommended, 181 more characters as filed
space as future leased premises for It's OK* Community Arts on completion of the Term at 468 Queen St West, and report back to the Toronto Music Advisory Committee in November 2024.
On the record
More from this meeting
- Introduction of General Bills and Confirming BillsFiled record
- 294-298 Sherbourne Street - Request for DirectionsFiled record
- Yonge-Dundas Square Renaming InitiativeFiled record
- Authorization to Release Section 37 Funds for Essential Structural Work to the Community Non-Profit Affordable Rental Housing Building at 1501 Queen Street West - by Councillor Gord Perks, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma MalikFiled record
- Call to OrderFiled record
- 10-18 Abitibi Avenue - Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for DirectionsFiled record