Making Spaces for Art: A Case Study – McMichael Canadian Art Collection

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“If we can achieve this with a log and field stone building, on a ridge, in the middle of one hundred acres, anyone can.” – Victoria Dickenson

mcmichaelVictoria Dickenson, the CEO of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, is referring to the gallery’s LEED® Silver Certified status. The McMichael occupies a special spot in the midst of one hundred acres of picturesque conservation land. And what it has done with its one hundred acres is just as wonderful and inspirational as the landscapes that first inspired Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven.

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Making Spaces for Art: A Case Study – Arraymusic

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“ Artists need centrally located, affordable space.”  Rick Sacks, Artistic Director

Arraymusic never intended to be anything other than a chamber group ensemble.  Sometimes however evolution takes over.  Arraymusic has been on a journey that both Rick Sacks, Artistic Director,  and Sandra Bell, General Manager, could not have predicted but that necessity did.  A quick visit to their website–one that gets hits from all over the world– demonstrates their split screen identity. A quick listen to their music reflects the diversity in their instrumentation.

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Making Spaces for Art: A Case Study – ROCS / Place des arts

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“Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to forward, backwards, or sideways.” – H Jackson Brown Jr

Such is not the case with ROCS—or the Regroupement des organismes culturels de Sudbury. Like an octopus, there are eight extensions. But there are no roller skates involved here. ROCS has both talent and discipline and is only moving forward. ROCS is made up of eight Francophone arts and cultural organizations in Sudbury. Varying in size from staffs of eighty to solo operations, they are embarking on a journey to move forward together to create a shared facility.

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Making Spaces for Art: A Case Study – Registry Theatre

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“Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments”

registryThe story of The Registry Theatre is intimately and irretrievably entwined with that of J.M. Drama and the City of Kitchener. Originally built in 1939 as the Waterloo County Registry Office, it is one of the few art deco buildings in Waterloo Region. Yet what became The Registry Theatre was the result of its own perfect marriage between the City of Kitchener and J.M. Drama. Like all relationships, they have their own romantic tales and foibles. But make no mistake, this marriage not only is growing strong, but still has its spark.

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Making Spaces for Art: A Case Study – Dundas Valley School of Art

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“In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what you want and the other is getting it.” Oscar Wilde

Dundas Valley School of Art has turned the tragedy of getting what you want into triumph.  The catalyst for some transformations is sometimes so deceptively simple. The Dundas Valley School of Art turned a minor injury into a major overhaul.  A broken ankle for Executive Director Arthur Greenblatt resulted in the renovation of the entire facility. The experience has left Greenblatt with some cautionary tales about closing your venue and renovating it tip to top, about accepting money from the Federal Government, and about navigating politics. But his biggest caution echoes the thoughts of the famous playwright Oscar Wilde. “Be careful what you wish for,” Greenblatt says.

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