ANDA
Artists’ residencies
toronto
Artists’ residencies
The city feels like it’s squeezing out artists and creators and displacing us for something shiny and new. As our city renews and transforms its urban landscape artistic spaces are disappearing – studio spaces seem nonexistent and our cramped apartments are too small to truly get messy in. It feels squished. So how will we set our creativity free?
We want to work with our city’s growth not against it, but how? We have discovered places slated for demolition or major renovations are frequently vacant for up to 15 months. So these places sit empty while real estate developers wait for city permits, zoning changes, or financing. For them, hosting residential tenants in a temporary space is too challenging. We are collaborating with developers to transform these transient spaces into artists’ residencies.
Working with gentrification, in part, not against us. We have discovered that places slated to be demolished are frequently vacant for 6-15 months prior to development. While real estate developers wait for city permits, zoning changes, or financing, these spaces sit empty. For them, hosting residential tenants in a temporary space is too challenging. So, we are collaborating with developers to transform these transient spaces into artist residencies.
Anda is the Swedish word for breath, spirit, tone, genius, wind, vibes, morale.
The definition of Anda is reflective of what this artist residency will bring to a space that is at the end if its life. The shifting spirit and vibes of our city can live on through our inspired creations. Let us not be ruled by gentrification, rather be part of creating and encouraging inclusive city building practices. Let’s build the city we desire through creation and art.
noun ur·ban·ism \ ˈər-bə-ˌni-zəm \
: the characteristic way of life of city dwellers
: the study of the physical needs of urban societies; city planning
: urbanization
Anda will select high quality projects that fulfill three important aspects: