PHOTO: FAUXREEL.CA / ARTIST: DAN BERGERON "FACES OF REGENT PARK"
Artscape is excited to be testing a new operational model that we hope will both help artists thrive and create more vibrant communities. The model reimagines the relationship between art and urban development through the establishment of an Atelier – a studio located on a real estate development site where artists are empowered to create works using the surrounding built environment as a canvas.
The Vision
Artscape Atelier is a social enterprise that contracts with developers to deliver public art and public realm works. Artists will be employed through Artscape Atelier to produce works of public art as well as public realm infrastructure (such as, benches, light fixtures, wayfinding, etc.) to create streetscapes that reflect the unique local character, narratives and heritage of an area. Over the next few years, we will be working with developers, municipalities and artists to pilot and develop Artscape Atelier.
Pilot Projects
Artists
We are inviting local artists to help design and create interesting and inspiring community infrastructure, as part of our pilot projects. Click on each of the pilot projects below to learn more about it and how you can get involved:
If you have questions about any of our pilot projects, contact us at atelier@artscape.ca
PHOTO: TAZ MOHAMED | ARTIST: MANGOPEELER
Frequently Asked Questions
In the short term, artists will be invited to apply to calls for the commissioning of a range of public realm pieces. Selected artists will be compensated, have access to studio space onsite, and may also have the chance to build their knowledge and skills through collaboration with craftspeople and fabricators. Pending the outcome of consultation with members from the arts and culture sector, we see the future potential of the Artscape Atelier model to include affordable housing opportunities so artists can live in the community and play an ongoing and official role in applying their practice to the surrounding environment.
Having artists involved in the design of the public realm will result in a built environment that is more engaging and unique to the specific community. We believe that living in a community where arts and culture is embedded in the everyday environment will add to quality of life and promote greater pride and connectivity among residents.
For any of our projects, we work to find opportunities that generate positive outcomes for everyone involved – artists, community and development partners. We are actively engaged in conversations about the Artscape Atelier model and will be open to considering suitable opportunities as they emerge.
The core of our work focuses on making space for creativity, empowering artists to thrive and connecting artists to communities. We believe there is an opportunity to embed art and artists in developing communities from the beginning by creating opportunities for them to fulfil some of the public realm design and production work that would happen regardless. We see the potential for artists to make important contributions to the community landscape that will enhance both artists’ incomes and quality of life for community members. Artscape Atelier is part of our ongoing efforts to connect community with arts and culture in new ways.
Over the coming months, we will be conducting targeted consultation with members of the arts and culture sector in order to learn more about how the Artscape Atelier model can best address artist and community interests and needs. If you are interested in participating in this conversation or would like to know more, please email us at atelier@artscape.ca.