It’s an indisputable truth that Toronto harbours a bustling cultural landscape, one that is constantly growing, becoming more and more intricate seemingly overnight. This is obviously thanks to our striking collection of both emerging and established artists, diverse neighbourhoods, and impressive amount of gallery space. However, everyone must start somewhere, and the rise of smaller, independent art collectives is making a huge impact, both on the cultural landscape and on the lives of its members.
Art collectives strive to provide an outlet for emerging artists to showcase their work, to get their name out there, and to dive into Toronto’s art scene head first with the support of other creatives at their back. Many of these are inclusive and open to submissions for new members throughout the year. Others are more selective, built up of a core group of artists who have created a collaborative image around their work. Apart from showcasing emerging artists, art collectives also promote events and often publish reviews on anything from local music, upcoming albums, gallery shows, and artist interviews—all with the end goal of creating positive exposure for its members.
Creatures Creating gallery space, courtesy of creaturescreating.com
Of all the artist collectives I’ve been exposed to so far, a few have definitely stood out for me.
The White House Studio Project, located at 277.5 Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market, describes itself as a “multi-platform arts collective aimed at producing, presenting, and supporting emerging art and art projects.” They certainly live up to that, and manage to host a variety of successful events and art shows during the year. As with most collectives, The White House Studio Project was started up in 2008 by a small group of friends and artists, who upon converting a residential house into studio space, aimed to create an accessible work environment for artists which would also double as affordable project space. A year later, they moved into a new location in Kensington Market, but their artistic vision remains the same. Today, The White House Studio Project accommodates 26 in-studio members as well as 10 current members and advisors.
The Toronto Artist Collective (T.A.C) is another one on the rise. Focusing particularly on the fruitful music scene the city has to offer, T.A.C. is an event promotion and media company which aspires to be the creative outlet emerging musicians use in order to showcase their talents. They host shows on both a small and large scale, ultimately geared towards immersing local musicians into the scene and providing them with a platform, an audience, an inclusive community. T.A.C. also conducts track and album reviews, artist interviews, and keeps readers updated on the latest news in the Toronto music scene.
Creatures Creating, a studio and art gallery space located at 822 Dundas Street West, provides Toronto artists with shared studio space, music rehearsal facilities, a wood shop, and access to art storage. Among other benefits, members are granted web promotion, discount printing, and a reduced price for art show space rental—all for a $150 annual fee. As one of the most popular art collectives in the city, Creatures Creating promises their members that they will get their name out there. Artists are invited to submit artwork for display in collaborative shows. If their pieces sell, the artists keep the cash minus $20. 25% of the commission which goes back to the gallery.
The gallery/studio space combination also hosts a variety of workshop nights including art classes, life drawing lessons, music lessons, and yoga nights.
Logo courtesy of bedroomer.com
Bedroomer is an art collective on the rise, one which is exactly as their name hints. They release and promote homemade, bedroom-produced music from emerging artists around Toronto, creating an atmosphere that reverberates within the city’s DIY community. Members collaborate with each other and other Toronto creatives, effectively bringing into being a wide musical spectrum.
I spoke to Liam Sanagan, founder of Bedroomer, and asked him a few questions regarding the past, present, and future of his collective.
Fresh Print: Who started Bedroomer and when? How did the idea come about?
Liam: I started Bedroomer as a Tumblr in about 2011. The concept was distilled from a couple of conversations with my friends in First Rate People while crammed shoulder to shoulder in a Durango on one of our short tastes of tour life in the US. Offhand someone said something like, “what if instead of a band, we were a website?” which I connected with and ran with.
By the time 2011 came along, I was seeing rap collectives like Odd Future and A$AP start to take off and was inspired by the way musicians could be a part of a collaborative whole but maintain their individual voice. I liked that one artist could promote and propel another by association. I liked that you could wear cool t-shirts and hang around with your friends. I thought it would be cool. “Bedroomer” was the name I gave myself and my friends who made computer music in their bedrooms.
Fresh Print: Who is currently involved?
Liam: I see the collective as a pretty organic thing right now – there are lots of people who contribute in different ways and they are all a part of the community, whether it be through music, art, film, events, etc. But we are primarily a gang of music makers, and right now we have plans to release music from LoKo, Swim Good, Eytan Tobin, and myself.
Bedroomer currently has some very exciting (top secret) things in the works. They’ve also lined up lots of cool releases and trippy parties planned for the spring and summer. Keep up to date by liking them on Facebook!
