January 30, 2007

McGUINTY GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN ARTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CENTRE
Using Green Technology To Preserve Heritage Buildings

TORONTO — The Government of Ontario is investing $3 million in the Artscape Green Arts Barns to redevelop brownfields and the historic Wychwood TTC streetcar repair barns, in the St. Clair and Bathurst neighbourhood in Toronto, into a 61,000 sq. ft. multi-tenant arts facility and community centre, Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco announced today.

The redeveloped barns will showcase sustainable, energy-efficient design principles and encourage community accessibility and collaboration. The barns will include artists’ live/work studios, rehearsal space, offices for non-profit arts and environmental organizations, and space for year-round community events and festivals. There will also be a greenhouse and community kitchen.

“I am pleased to see so many people sharing a passion for the creative and innovative use of heritage property,” said Di Cocco. “This project will contribute to a dynamic and vibrant community while we preserve historical buildings, provide studio space for artists and encourage arts education.”

“Artscape’s Green Arts Barns are revitalizing this part of our great riding and our great city. St. Paul’s is all the better today thanks to this $3-million investment by the McGuinty government,” said Michael Bryant, MPP for St. Paul's. “Local vision and local initiative together with grassroots and business investment made this project possible.”

“This project is all about creativity and thinking-outside-the box,” said Tim Jones, CEO of Artscape. “We are creating a new model here where artists, environmentalists, and community members can rub shoulders and generate the kind of heat and creative energy the City thrives on.”

Artscape is a not-for-profit enterprise engaged in culture-led regeneration. Its work includes anchoring creative communities within affordable spaces and building authentic and dynamic places by connecting creative and cultural resources. Artscape has played a catalytic role in the regeneration of some of Toronto’s most important creative communities, including Distillery Historic District, Queen Street West, Liberty Village, and Toronto Islands.

“The Artscape Green Arts Barns is a prime example of culture as an essential pillar in building sustainable communities,” said Di Cocco. “Today’s investment makes it clear that the Ontario government, under the leadership of Premier Dalton McGuinty, is taking the lead in fostering a cultural and creative renaissance in Ontario.”

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Contacts:
Mark Thompson, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-4071
Guy Lepage, Communications Branch, (416) 314-3497