Lakeshore Arts-Youth programs

Celebrating its 18th year in existence, Lakeshore Arts is an incorporated (May 1997) Not-for-Profit Local Arts Service Organization (LASO) and a registered charity (as of 1999). With a Board of active residents from many sectors including arts, education and business (10 – 15 members), and an additional 100+ volunteers who serve on program committees and help with a variety of tasks.

Lakeshore Arts realized a long time dream when moving from a tiny 2nd floor, windowless office to a 1000 square foot storefront in Mimico, in the fall of 2007. With a beautiful exposed red brick wall and original hardwood floors we found a perfect location to open up The Smith Zone Exhibition Space, named in honour of long time Board member and community leader, Gerald “Jerry” Smith.

The office and gallery space has become a neighbourhood fixture and information hub. The first year saw membership triple. The gallery showcases a growing roster of member artists, partnerships with sister organizations and a display for the results of some of our youth programming. Lakeshore Arts is active in the Mimico by-the-Lake BIA and recognized as a community leader. We are recipients of Laurel Broten’s 2008 “Gem of the Lakeshore” and most recently, nominated for The 2010 Etobicoke Guardian “Urban Hero” Award.

In order to leverage limited resources, Lakeshore Arts has a long-standing tradition of fostering relationships with Community Partners to develop and evolve innovative and interactive programming. These partnerships: Humber College, The Toronto District School Board, The Toronto Public Library, Rotary Club Toronto West, Sherway Gardens and the Mimico by-the-Lake BIA, have become synonymous with the caliber and quality of our events and programming.

 2422 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Toronto, ON M8V 1C4

 (416) 201-7093

• Local

• Youth

Lakeshore Arts carried forward the work leading to The South Etobicoke Cultural Strategic Plan (1996); in 1999, Lakeshore Arts ensured that culture became one of the five benchmark measures of the quality of life in the South Etobicoke Community Audit; Lakeshore Arts took a leadership position in the $4.5 million revitalization of the Assembly Hall as a community cultural centre.

Lakeshore Arts was a founding member of the Lakeshore Community Partnership (originally the South Etobicoke Regeneration Project – SERP), a unique collaboration of business and industry with government, community agencies and residents dedicated to maintaining and attracting investment in the community. Many of the key members of LCP are also members of Lakeshore Arts, Humber College, the BIAs and industry.

Local industry has been active in sponsorship in support of murals, the music series, the annual juried art show and the community play project, to name a few. We have worked well with the four local BIAs and the Lakeshore Festival , a community event that has enjoyed almost 25 years of continuous success.

Lakeshore Arts was a founding member of the Toronto Community Arts Alliance (TCCA), and works closely with Arts Etobicoke, Urban Arts, and the Scarborough Arts Council to expand the coverage of community arts to include those sections of the City that are currently underserved.

theatre

live performance

We are: grass-roots, multidisciplinary, advocates, inclusive & accessible

Lakeshore Arts is:

A programmer, working in partnership with artists and arts groups to present programming in the community

A senior arts partner in the Lakeshore playing a stewardship role in implementing the South Etobicoke Community Cultural Plan, as funded by the former Metro Toronto

Lakeshore Arts exists to:

Enhance the quality of life for people who live, work and visit the Lakeshore, through the integration of arts, culture and heritage into all aspects of community life

Improve the availability of arts and culture in the Lakeshore Community with art shows, literary events, workshops, festivals, theatre, music and dance performances

Provide educational, training and development opportunities for youth and adults in arts, culture

Develop and foster community spirit in the Lakeshore and beyond

Lakeshore Arts is committed to improving the availability of arts, cultural and heritage activities within our neighbourhood. We encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in the arts – as a way of enriching their lives and strengthening our community.

We believe:

The arts are critical to the well-being of any community

The arts transcend socio-economic barriers

Our volunteers are amazing and a huge part of our success

Youth are key to development of all programming and are future artists and art lovers

Artists are always paid for their time and work to teach and facilitate

Your involvement means:

Family oriented programming that at little or no cost to participants

Stewarding healthy economic development with other community stakeholders

Fostering the emerging artists and art lovers of tomorrow

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