City of Toronto and federal government step in to save critical community business

The municipal and federal governments have stepped in to save a beloved community space that provides affordable space for artists to live, work, and showcase their creations to the public.

The City of Toronto announced on Thursday that it had secured federal funding to protect a group of homes along with the Propeller Art Gallery at 38 Abell St. following the financial collapse of former manager Toronto Artscape Inc.

Artscape, a non-profit that operated studio space and provided affordable housing for artists for over three decades, entered receivership in 2024 amid financial struggles, putting residents of 390 affordable homes at risk.

Toronto residents could lose their homes as Artscape goes into receivership https://t.co/xpaLXJJYmS #Toronto #Artscape

— blogTO (@blogTO) August 30, 2023

Following this news, the City wasted no time and secured 91 per cent of the homes at risk and fund property management services across Artscape's 14 buildings. The City also established a new non-profit organization to manage former Artscape hubs like the Daniels Spectrum, Gibraltar Point and Wychwood Barns. 

On Thursday, Mayor Olivia Chow was joined by Julie Dzerowicz, Member of Parliament for Davenport and Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Davenport), along with tenants at Propeller Art Gallery, to announce that all residents would be allowed to stay in their homes and continue using the gallery's creative spaces.

"Affordable homes for 390 tenants across 14 Artscape properties have been secured and will remain affordable forever," said Mayor Chow.

"Artists are an essential part of Toronto—bringing beauty, music, culture and vibrancy to our city. I want to thank city staff and advocates who have worked diligently for over a year to make today possible. This investment will support local artists and build inclusive communities in Toronto."

Thursday's announcement will see the City buy back the gallery's ground-floor exhibition space, as well as 20 residential units on site that will permanently remain within Toronto's affordable housing portfolio.

Councillor Alejandra Bravo called the announcement "a huge win for artists and cultural workers in Davenport and across the city."

"I worked hard to secure funding for Propeller Gallery to become a community-owned cultural space and to protect the affordable housing for artists at 38 Abell St, which I'm delighted we are delivering on today."