Artists Offered Free Space in Libraries for Culture Days @ the Library

Culture Days @ The Library, a partnership between Toronto Art Foundation's Neighbourhood Arts Network, Toronto Public Libraries and Ontario Culture Days, is now opening the application process to Toronto-based artists and cultural groups seeking free venues for activities taking place on September 27-28, 2013, in preparation for the fourth annual Culture Days national celebration of the arts.

March 21, 2013

Culture Days @ The Library enables artists to take their practice out of their private studios into the accessible spaces of library branches so that the public can discover and engage with their work. In the first 2 years of the program more than 4,000 Torontonians have enjoyed the work of 100 artists and cultural groups in 66 library branches across the city. Past participants describe Culture Days @ the Library as a great opportunity to connect with new audiences and to build strong community relationships. From Etobicoke to Scarborough, North York and downtown Toronto, some 40 TPL branches spanning the city will provide venues at no cost.

Thunderbird Native Theatre had a great Culture Days activity at Kennedy/Eglinton library. We were supported by an enthusiastic head librarian and had a very involved culturally diverse audience, who laughed, sang, clapped and played the big pow wow drums with happy abandon. We certainly plan to be back next year!”

– Shannon Thunderbird, Artistic Director, Thunderbird Native Theatre, 2012 Culture Days @ the Library participant

Culture Days is a pan-Canadian celebration of arts and culture launched in 2010. Toronto-based individual artists, small and medium-sized professional arts groups as well as volunteer-run cultural organizations, collectives or groups that wish to organize their events at a Toronto Public Library branch are invited to submit an application by April 15, 2013. Activities in all artistic disciplines are encouraged as well as those that appeal to families and audiences of diverse ages. To be considered for a space, the arts activity must be free and interactive.

Toronto Public Library staff will review the applications, make their selections and contact activity organizers directly for any additional information they may require and to make arrangements. Library branches are providing free space but cannot provide any financial assistance, including funds for supplies or equipment. Participants do receive administrative, marketing and promotional support for their activity via the joint efforts of Culture Days, Toronto Public Library and Neighbourhood Arts Network.

“The Culture Days @ the Library program was a wonderful opportunity to work with the public and a fantastic chance to meet so many creative members of the library community. I especially appreciated the positive support from library staff and their enthusiastic response to the program I created.”

- Jennifer Falvy, Independent artist, 2012 Culture Days @ the Library participant

How To Participate

A simple application form is now on-line. Applications will be accepted from now until April 15, 2013.

Applicants will be matched with the appropriate library branches based on the suitability and interactive nature of the activity. Those applicants who meet the criteria will be contacted by Toronto Public Library Branch Heads in May to discuss in detail their activity and may be required to submit further information related to space requirements, equipment, etc.

Notification and Confirmation

Branches will send out a confirmation email by May 30, 2013

40 Toronto Public Library Branches Open Their Doors

The following branches have committed to hosting Culture Days activities. The majority of activities will be scheduled on Saturday, September 28, with a limited number scheduled on Friday, September 27. For location and details about each branch, go to http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hours-locations/index.jsp

Participating Branches

  • Albion
  • Gerrard/Ashdale
  • Mount Dennis
  • Agincourt
  • Guildwood
  • North York Central Children’s Dept
  • Amesbury Park
  • High Park
  • North York Central French Services
  • Annette Street
  • Highland Creek
  • Pape/Danforth
  • Barbara Frum
  • Humber Summit
  • Parkdale
  • Bayview
  • Humberwood
  • Parliament Street
  • Bendale
  • Jane/Sheppard
  • Queen/Saulter
  • Centennial
  • Kennedy/Eglinton
  • Riverdale
  • Don Mills
  • Leaside
  • Sanderson
  • Downsview
  • Malvern
  • Spadina Road
  • Dufferin/St. Clair
  • Maryvale
  • St. Lawrence
  • Evelyn Gregory
  • McGregor Park
  • Victoria Village
  • Eglinton Square
  • Morningside
  • York Woods
  • Flemingdon Park

About Neighbourhood Arts Network

Neighbourhood Arts Network is the place where arts and community engagement meet. Neighbourhood Arts Network helps artists and community organizations do what they do best: enrich Toronto and transform it into a more vibrant, beautiful, and liveable city. We catalyze new relationships and conversations, collect research and share information. We envision a Toronto where all residents are empowered to discover and shape the cultural life of their communities. Neighbourhood Arts Network is a signature initiative of Toronto Arts Foundation. To learn more, please visitwww.neighbourhoodartsnetwork.org

About Toronto Public Library

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131. To get the most current updates on what's happening at the library, follow us on Twitter @torontolibrary.

About Culture Days

Culture Days is a collaborative, Canada-wide volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. Launched in 2010, the annual Culture Days event takes place in more than 850 Canadian cities and towns during the last weekend of September, generating an extraordinary amount of enthusiasm in the process. This year’s Culture Days weekend will take place on September 27, 28 and 29, 2013. Once again, the event will feature free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind the scenes”— and to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, and designers at work in their community.

To learn more, please visit www.culturedays.ca

Culture Days in Ontario is supported by the Ontario Arts Council, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Government of Ontario in recognition of Celebrate the Artist Weekend.