Yesterday, twelve Toronto arts and culture organizations announced the creation of the Bloor St. Culture Corridor, a uniquely Torontonian arts and culture destination.
Toronto’s Bloor Street is a vibrant corridor with a dozen permanent world-class arts organizations presenting professional arts and cultural events for the public year-round in destination venues – all in almost exactly one mile (1.6 kms) – between Bathurst and Bay Streets. These twelve arts and culture organizations have come together in a collaborative partnership, and created the Bloor St. Culture Corridor.
Arts and culture destinations on the Bloor St. Culture Corridor include the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, a historic century-old cinema and one of the world’s only documentary-focused theatres; Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir and The Toronto Consort, both located in the revitalized Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre with the newly renovated Jeanne Lamon Hall; the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre; the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto; Alliance Française de Toronto who will be launching their newly renovated building with theatre and gallery space this spring; the Istituto Italiano di Cultura; Koerner Hall, one of North America’s best concert halls, at The Royal Conservatory; three exceptional museums including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Gardiner Museum, and the Bata Shoe Museum; as well as the Japan Foundation.
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| Dancers representing the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto Photo: HyeM. |
The Bloor St. Culture Corridor offers a wide variety of arts genres, from museum experiences to films, art exhibitions to music concerts, and it also offers opportunities to experience some of Toronto’s cultural diversity, including French, Jewish, Italian, Japanese and Aboriginal arts and culture. Having lived in the neighbourhood during my university years, I can certainly attest to this diversity. From the cafés, restaurants, shops, museums, and cinema, this corridor is certainly always happening!
At the launch yesterday, we had the pleasure of hearing from Toronto’s Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, as well as members of City Council Michael Thompson, Kristyn Wong-Tam, and Adam Vaughan. All of whom were clearly very supportive of this venture, which will help local residents and visitors to Toronto to enjoy the great wealth of cultural experiences that are so easily accessible on Bloor Street. By working together, the cultural organizations will also increase awareness of the culture destinations and events happening on Bloor Street, as well as nearby restaurants, stores, and hotels. Thus, supporting local business owners as well.
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| Members of participating Bloor St. Culture Corridor Organizations along with Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly & Members of City Council Photo: HyeM. |
The purpose of this endeavour is to help people to connect with what’s happening at the arts and culture destinations on Bloor Street more easily, more often, and plan to include multiple destinations in an afternoon or a day on the Bloor St. Culture Corridor. From the enthusiasm expressed at yesterday’s launch, this has great potential. As well, it can serve as a model for other neighbourhoods in the city. Having grown up in this city and being a supporter of the Arts, I certainly hope to see more efforts like this one in the near future.
