Toronto’s Arts Crisis
Yes I would call it a crisis. In recent years the gentrification cycle has been working in overdrive. As the artists and creatives move to a new area, the commercial developers are following close behind with condos and Starbucks’.
Today’s Star had two articles covering the recent developments in this issue and brought a more balanced perspective than others I have read. I think that this is one of the major issues facing Toronto right now. We are touting ourselves as a city of art and culture, when in fact we are a city of condo culture. This is going to have disastrous effects if something isn’t done soon.
The most appropriate quote in the piece was by painter and sculptor Ante Sarelic, “This is what we need, to connect in meaningful ways.” This is what cities are about.
photo: Kevin Steele
Filed under: Business, Creativity, Culture, Ethics, Future, Politics, Toronto, Trends | 1 Comment
I don’t know, that seems to be the basic conflict and cycle of all great cities.
During a boom, artists are driven out (or huddle in our rent-controlled apartments) or sell out and do commercial work. During the bust, we restore character and funk to our neighborhoods after the gold rush/trust fund kids go back to where they came from. At least that’s the way it works here in San Francisco.