Koffler - Press Release

Koffler Centre of the Arts expands to Artscape YOUNGplace

November 02,2011

The Koffler to be among non-profits and artists in new downtown arts and cultural facility

As part of its effort to continue to serve all of Toronto with its unique brand of arts and culture, the Koffler Centre of the Arts is joining the Artscape YOUNGplace project to open in fall 2013.

The Koffler Centre of the Arts has signed a five-year lease with Artscape to occupy a prominent space on the main floor of Artscape YOUNGplace at 180 Shaw Street, just north of Queen Street West, Toronto.

The Koffler’s growing repertoire of exhibitions and programs continue to be available across the GTA, from downtown to Vaughan. Future Koffler Gallery exhibitions and related programs will be based at the Artscape YOUNGplace as the new Koffler building at Bathurst and Sheppard is constructed. Koffler programs continue at the Prosserman JCC on Sherman Campus and will debut at the new Schwartz/Reisman Centre on Lebovic Campus in Vaughan also in fall 2012.

For the past three years, the Koffler has programmed Gallery exhibitions off-site around the GTA as plans continue to develop its new, architecturally innovative building as part of the redevelopment of the Sherman Campus at Bathurst and Sheppard. During this nomadic period, Koffler Gallery Off-Site venues have included Honest Ed’s, the Royal Ontario Museum, Olga Korper Gallery, Beaver Hall, the Kiever Synagogue, Balisi stores, the Gladstone Hotel and presently at 80 Spadina.

“While planning proceeds for a new Koffler Centre of the Arts on Sherman Campus, the next several years at Artscape YOUNGplace (AYP) are an amazing opportunity to build audiences and partnerships, solidifying our unique position within the constellation of arts organizations transforming Toronto as a global cultural urban centre,” said Lori Starr, Executive Director, Koffler Centre of the Arts and Vice President, Culture, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.

“The Koffler thrives on cooperation and dialogue with other cultural, academic and community organizations while fostering interdisciplinary explorations,” added Starr. “The AYP will further enhance partnership and community building capacities by providing, under one roof, an unparalleled environment of artistic and social diversity that nurtures and inspires across creative fields.”

Over thirty years, the Koffler Gallery has earned a reputation for groundbreaking exhibitions of contemporary Canadian and international art, much of it installation based and newly commissioned work. It has become a prominent voice in the Canadian art scene often presenting emerging artists and engaging with artists to cross genres.

Reflecting diverse cultural, material and aesthetic orientations, the Koffler Gallery explores the contemporary Jewish experience within the context of the broader community. This unique framework provides opportunities for exhibitions and programs that invite a comparative examination of narratives among people of varied heritages within a larger discussion of personal and cultural identity.

About Artscape YOUNGplace
Artscape YOUNGplace is repurposing the existing historic Shaw Street School, bringing new life to this grand Beaux-Arts heritage building. Located at 180 Shaw Street, the building is rooted in the heart of the West Queen West alternative arts district, just steps from Trinity-Bellwoods Park and the galleries and restaurants of the lively Ossington Avenue strip.

Artscape YOUNGplace will be a 75,000 sq. ft. centre for creative collaboration housing a diverse mix of creators working in a variety of disciplines, as well as arts, community and social mission organizations. Other owners and tenants include the Centre for Indigenous Theatre, Inter-Galactic Arts Co-op, Paperhouse Studio, Red Pepper Spectacle Arts, SKETCH, Small World Music Society, York Wilson Foundation for the Visual Arts, and artists Barbara Astman, Eve Egoyan, Gerard Gauci, Sybil Goldstein and Vid Ingelevics.

The official groundbreaking for Artscape YOUNGplace took place on Wednesday, November 2, 2011. High resolution photos from the event are available here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artscape/sets/72157628028911780/with/4830608193/

For more information on Artscape and the Artscape YOUNGplace project: www.torontoartscape.on.ca

About the Koffler Centre of the Arts
Koffler Centre of the Arts is Canada’s only multidisciplinary, contemporary Jewish cultural institution, with a broad mandate to serve all and present a wide range of artistic programs through a global lens in a specifically Canadian context. The Koffler’s mission is to explore contemporary Jewish and world culture, bringing people together to create a more civil and global society. This unique mix of programs and exhibitions examines the arts across disciplines and cultures in a way that strengthens identity while encouraging an appreciation of difference. The Koffler presents exhibitions, classes and diverse programs in music, dance, literature, film, spoken word and theatre, and engages local and visiting artists in teaching students of all ages and stages.

The Koffler Centre of the Arts is an agency of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.

Planning is underway on a brand new, architecturally innovative Koffler Centre of the Arts on the Sherman Campus. For more information: http://tomorrowcampaign.com

Koffler Centre of the Arts acknowledges the support of Cultural Season Sponsor CIBC Wood Gundy, Media Partner National Post, the Ontario Arts Council through the Community and Multidisciplinary Arts Organizations Program, our patrons and members. The Koffler Gallery gratefully acknowledges the support the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.

KOFFLER ON THE ROAD!
Watch for Koffler programs off-site around Toronto! As it prepares for its new facility to be completed, the Koffler Centre of the Arts continues to program exhibitions, events, performances, classes and workshops at the Prosserman JCC on Sherman Campus, the Schwartz/Reisman Centre on Lebovic Campus and at various downtown sites in Toronto. Go to www.kofflerarts.org for details and watch for Koffler events in your neighbourhood!

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Media Contact
Tony Hewer, Head of Communications and Marketing
Koffler Centre of the Arts
4588 Bathurst Street | Toronto | ON | M2R 1W6
t: 416.638.1881 x 4228 | f: 416.636.5813
e: thewer@kofflerarts.org | w: www.kofflerarts.org

Click here to download PDF version of the press release with additional background information on the Koffler Gallery.

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Koffler Centre of the Arts expands to Artscape YOUNGplace