Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
AKIN STUDIO PROGRAM AT Auto BLDG 

For Akin’s General FAQ on our organization, studios, rent, pricing, set up and more PLEASE CLICK HERE.

For more information about the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG PLEASE CLICK HERE.

For the Full 2023 Call for Applications for the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG please stay tuned.

Are you still in the MOCA Building?

Akin is a tenant on the 4th floor of the building at 158 Sterling Road and MOCA Toronto Canada  now occupies floors 1-3. Our landlord is Castelpoint Numa, who are now our partners for this unique residency program after MOCA revised its footprint in the building.

Are you still affiliated with MOCA?

For nearly 5 years MOCA has been a friend and partner to our organization- collaborating on public programs ranging from gallery and museum tours to the first two years of our residency program. Though we are not officially affiliated, we are committed to maintaining our close ties to the museum.

Why is it no longer a MOCA collaboration?

MOCA Toronto no longer occupies floors 4 and 5 of the building.  That does not mean that there might not be opportunities for artists to work with MOCA while they are in the residency or in the future, but there are no assurances. 

Who is subsidizing the rent?

Akin pays rent to our landlord, CastlePoint Numa each month and the vast majority of Akin’s revenue comes from our studio rentals- including the rent artists pay in this residency program. This pays for our rent to Castlepoint, insurance, utilities, maintenance, staffing and the other associated costs. We appreciate the landlord discounting our rent below what is typical in the area, which enables us to do the same.

Akin’s team maintains an active role in the Toronto Artist Advocacy Network, the Toronto Arts Council’s Leaders Lab, and on various committees fighting to protect and foster artistic communities across the city. Akin’s Co-Directors have also been part of TOcore planning with the City of Toronto and in 2018 addressed the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Canadian Culture on the subject of Cultural Hubs and Cultural Districts in Canada.