Image Description: The words "Introducing Akin Richmond-Bathurst Expansion!" appear on an image of an interior of a red brick building with a window and books and a plant on the shelf in the background.
Image Description: The words "Introducing Akin Queen East" appear on a mustard yellow background along with two squiggly graphic shapes in peacock blue and the Akin logo on the top right hand corner.
Introducing Akin Queen East - our newest East End studio!
Akin is proud to present our newest studio offering for our beloved East End artists! Located at 429 Queen Street East, Akin Queen East is near the intersection of Queen St E and Sackville Street.
Located near Cabbagetown, Regent Park, Riverdale Park and the Distillery District, this new studio is the ideal spot for East End artists!
AKIN QUEEN EAST
29 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1T5
As the studio is right on Queen street, the closest TTC stops are the 501 Queen Streetcar at Sackville St, both east and westbound.
Inhabiting all three floors of the building, the studio includes 39 dedicated studios (i.e your own studio) ranging from 25 sqft for $187/month to 130 sqft for $590/month and 20 shared memberships available for $78/month. There are both private and semi private dedicated studios at Akin Queen East. Monthly prices include taxes, insurance, wifi, utilities, 24/7 access as well as use of shared shelving units, washrooms, communal working areas and kitchen. The studio features two gender-neutral bathrooms. There are steps leading to the entrance, second floor, and basement where the bathrooms and kitchen are located, with no ramps or elevator available.
The studio itself is architecturally interesting, a long skylight stretches the length of the building, with light reaching down to all three floors thanks to the open concept layout. The studio is in a lively neighborhood, with close proximity to delicious food and local cafes and the camera store Vistek, is just across the street.
Akin Queen East is expected to reach capacity quickly, so please reach out soon to secure your spot. Priority will be given to current Akin members and individuals on our waiting lists. However, we'll strive to accommodate anyone interested in this new location.
If you’re interested in a membership please email
info@akincollective.com and let us know what you are looking for!
Image Description: The words "Introducing Akin Niagara" appear on an image of a large six story building of aluminum and brick with colourful graphic shapes in pastel pink, yellow and blue.
Introducing Akin Niagara - our newest West End studio!!
Our newest studio location is here! Introducing Akin Niagara, located at 289 Niagara Street, just south of Queen Street West.
Steps away from the south end of Trinity Bellwoods Park, Type Books and the White Squirrel Cafe, Akin Niagara is a prime location for West End artists!
AKIN NIAGARA
289 Niagara St., Toronto, ON M6J 3P3
Situated in the lower level of an apartment building, Akin Niagara hosts large windows and a private outdoor patio.
Akin Niagara has 27 dedicated studios (i.e. your own studio) and private and semi private studios ranging in size from 40sf ($252/month) to 115 square feet ($541/month). We also have 10 shared memberships for $78.00/month.
Monthly prices include taxes, insurance, wifi, utilities, 24/7 access as well as use of shared shelving units, washrooms, communal working areas and kitchen.
Akin Niagara is expected to reach capacity quickly, so please reach out to secure your spot. Priority will be given to current Akin members and individuals on our waiting lists. However, we'll strive to accommodate anyone interested in this new location. We're thrilled to expand the Akin community in the West end of the city. Keep an eye out for more studio updates later this month!
If you’re interested in a membership please email
info@akincollective.com and let us know what you are looking for!
Introducing the Flex Space at Akin Davisville
Akin Davisville proudly introduces our latest offering: the Flex Space! The Flex Space is a 200sf private room designed for creatives and professionals seeking a versatile workspace. The Flex Space can be booked for $15/hour.
The Flex Space is available exclusively to Akin Davisville members and members in other Akin locations. To join Akin Davisville please email info@akincollective.com
Akin Davisville Memberships start at $78 for a Shared Membership (access to communal workspace). We also have Dedicated Memberships (your own personal workspace) ranging from 25 square feet at $187/month to 135 square feet at $610/month.
Monthly prices include: taxes, insurance, wifi, utilities, 24/7 access as well as use of shared shelving units, washroom, communal working areas, and kitchen.
Akin Davisville is here!
Located at 224 Merton St, between Yonge Street and Mt Pleasant Rd, Akin Davisville is an entire building consisting of three floors which can accommodate seventy two Shared and Dedicated studio members.
If you’re interested in membership please email info@akincollective.com and let us know what you are looking for. We can’t wait for you to see this fabulous space!
Akin Davisville is just north of Mount Pleasant Cemetery and the Beltline Trail. It’s located near Davisville Subway Station.
There are Shared Memberships available for $78/month, which includes access to shared working areas. There are 46 Dedicated Memberships in the building (i.e. your own studio), including private and semi-private options ranging from 25 square feet at $187/month to 135 square feet at $610/month. Both membership types include HST, 24/7 access, cleaning, WiFi, contents insurance, as well as use of shared shelving units, washrooms, a kitchen and communal area.
Akin Davisville is an entire building with studios in the basement, main and second floors. There are no steps to enter the building, and an elevator in the main entranceway which travels to each floor. There are two gender neutral bathrooms on each floor, one of which is wider to accommodate wheelchair access. None of the bathrooms have steps leading towards or into them. There is no free onsite parking for this building, but there is paid parking on the street right outside the building.
Priority for studio memberships will be given to folks who have been on an Akin studio waitlist for 6 months or more, as well as those who identify as a member of one or more of the Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Groups (Persons of Colour, Deaf Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Living with Mental Illness, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIAP). That being said, there is plenty of space in this new studio and we will do our best to provide studio space to everyone who is interested.
We are also in the process of trying to secure other new studio locations to accommodate folks in need of studio space. Hopefully more on that to come soon.
Akin Davisville. 224 Merton St, Toronto, ON, M4S 1A1
We’re so excited to welcome you into this fantastic new space, and to further grow our incredible community!
Email info@akincollective.com to learn more about becoming a member at
Akin Davisville! Or click here to book a tour and become a member!
Akin Open Studio!
Join us at the Open Studio Day for a peek into what the talented artists at the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG have been creating during their residency. Whether you're an art enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique afternoon, this event is the perfect way to enjoy Culture Days Ontario, an annual celebration of arts, culture and heritage taking place each fall across the province.
Read More
The Akin logo and the words "Introducing... Akin Richmond-Bathurst" appear on an image of a large window surrounded by a brick wall and a desk with chairs on both ends.
Introducing... Akin Richmond-Bathurst
Akin is thrilled to announce our newest studio, Akin Richmond-Bathurst! Located at 579 Richmond Street West, Akin Richmond-Bathurst is on the fourth floor of a beautiful old office building, with an open-concept layout, plenty of natural light, exposed brick walls and beautiful hardwood floors throughout the space. This new studio location has room for 10 Shared Memberships starting at $73/month, as well as 46 Dedicated studios ranging from 25sf for $174/month to 155sf for $597/month. Monthly membership fees include taxes, insurance, wifi, utilities, 24/7 access as well as use of shared shelving units, washroom, communal working areas, and kitchen.
579 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Y6
Akin Richmond-Bathurst was set up as a replacement studio for Akin Stockyards members whose studio closed at the end of June. When a studio closes we always try our best to give the artists a space to relocate to and we are so glad to have had this exciting new space lined up for them! We are also giving priority to Akin Bloor-Yonge Members and Akin Waterfront members, as both of those studios have also closed over the last couple months.
Once our current members have been relocated, we’ll still have room for new members! If you’re interested in a space at Akin Richmond-Bathurst, email info@akincollective.com to be added to the waitlist. We will be offering any available studios to folks on the Akin Richmond waiting list, which is right across the street. Priority will be given to people who are on the waiting list, as well as those who have self-identified as belonging to our priority equity-deserving groups (Persons of Colour, Deaf Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Living with Mental Illness, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+)
Email info@akincollective.com to learn more about becoming a member at Akin Richmond-Bathurst!
We would like to thank our workspace partner, Allied, for this beautiful space.
We couldn’t have done this without them.
The Akin logo and the words "Akin Young-St Clair is here!" appear on an image of a brick and concrete wall with yellow flowers below.
Akin Yonge-St Clair is Here!
Akin is incredibly excited to announce the opening of our newest studio in Toronto’s Midtown, Akin Yonge-St Clair!
Located at 1 St Clair Ave W, right at the corner of Yonge Street, Akin Yonge-St Clair has room for 50 members in our 4 units in this large office building. Our team has been hard at work to get it ready! Akin Yonge-St Clair opened on May 15th to the first group of members who have relocated from Akin Bloor-Yonge. We are looking forward to opening the doors over the coming weeks and welcoming more members from our Akin Stockyards location to this bustling midtown location!
Beautiful light on the 11th floor!
Wide Hallways!
New Kitchenettes!
There are Shared Memberships available for $73/month, which includes access to shared working areas, shared storage, kitchen, a communal gathering area and bathrooms. There are 39 Dedicated Memberships in the building (i.e., your own studio), including private and semi-private options ranging from 35 square feet at $212/month to 243 square feet at $829/month. Both membership types include HST, 24/7 access, WiFi, contents insurance, as well as use of shared shelving units, washrooms, a kitchen and communal area.
Akin Yonge-St Clair is located on the 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 11th floor of the building. There are no steps to enter the building and no steps throughout the building. All of the floors are accessible by elevator. There are men’s and women’s, and wheelchair accessible gender-neutral bathrooms on each floor. There is no free onsite parking for this building, but there is paid parking located down the street.
Priority for this studio has been given to Akin Bloor-Yonge Members, whose studio is closing permanently this month, and Akin Stockyards Members whose studio will be closing in June. Priority for any remaining studio memberships will be given to folks who have been on an Akin studio waitlist for 6 months or more, as well as those who identify as a member of one or more of the Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Groups (Persons of Colour, Deaf Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Living with Mental Illness, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIAP). That being said, we will do our best to provide studio space to anyone who is interested so we encourage you to join the waiting list as we hope to expand in this building as more space becomes available.
We would like to acknowledge the support of our partner Slate Asset Management for making this space available to Akin and our artists. We’re excited to welcome you into this studio and we can’t wait for you to be a part of this new community.
Email info@akincollective.com to learn more about becoming a member at Akin Yonge-St Clair!
Image description: Akin logo on the left hand side followed by the words “Akin Art Studios in Scarborough and North York: a feasibility study” the words live on a forest green background with two large pink graphic asterisks.
Akin Art Studios in Scarborough & North York: a feasibility survey
Akin is looking to expand our reach with two potential new studio locations in Scarborough and North York. Before we can proceed we need your input! We’ve created a feasibility survey to assess the needs of Scarborough and North York artists, designers, makers and creators. Are you interested in a monthly studio membership in these areas? Let us know! The deadline for the survey is May 17, 2023. Continue reading for all the details or click the button below to answer the survey now!
Scarborough
Our location of interest in Scarborough is at 3730 Kingston Road (Kingston Road and Scarborough Golf Club Road), located near the Clark Centre for the Arts. Its closest TTC station is Kennedy Station. This location is on the second floor with no elevator access. It has private and semi private workspaces, as well as co-working shared memberships. Access to parking is available. The studio will include shared storage, a kitchen, and bathroom as well as WiFi, insurance, and opportunities for community building and networking with other artists and creators. Monthly studio membership fees will likely range from 30sf for $196/month - 150sf for $593/month. Shared memberships will be available at $73/month.
North York
Our location of interest in North York is at 2 Tippett Road, (Allan Road and the 401), located near Wilson Station. This location will be the third floor of an office building with elevator access and a ramp up to the building, as well as automated doors. There is a large kitchen, bathrooms, shared storage, WiFi, insurance and the opportunity to be part of a larger creative community. As it was formerly an office, this space will have access to private and semi private studios as well as co-working shared memberships. Underground parking is available. Monthly studio membership fees will likely range from 30sf for $196/month - 150sf for $593/month. Shared memberships are available at $73/month.
While Akin Studios are able to accommodate a broad range of artists, some practices will not be suitable for these spaces, we will not be able to accommodate space for woodworking, stone carving, aerosols or spray paint, spaces for performance, or to host rehearsals, workshops or classes.
If you are interested in a Dedicated Membership (your own studio space) or Shared Membership (access to shared work space and storage) please fill out our Akin Scarborough and North York Community Survey by May 17th, 2023. We are currently building a waiting list for the studio spaces and will be in touch with those on the waiting list in the summer with more information, hopefully news that we're moving forward with these locations. We are grateful for your input and we’re thrilled to hopefully begin expanding our network together.
Akin’s mandate holds the needs of our community in high regard and we appreciate your effort and engagement.
Here is the link to the survey: https://forms.gle/JfBVSqokEd6sJSCXA
Please share widely!
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out. Email info@akincollective.com with your comments or queries.
Thank you for your time,
The Akin Team
Image Description: A person stands in an empty studio space with hardwood floors and white walls. They’re holding a large photo showing images of three studios spaces, each smaller than the last, stacked on top of one another, the final image is of the exterior of a four story building, situated on a Toronto street corner with traffic lights.
What happens when an Akin studio closes?
To our studio members and friends,
At Akin we are always saddened to hear that a studio will be closing. This year two of our studios, Akin Bloor-Yonge, and Akin Stockyards will be closing permanently. Both of these studio locations have been exciting and important studios for Akin. Akin Bloor-Yonge has a quiet atmosphere, and is inhabited by so many incredible artists. Built originally as an office space, it’s host to many private studios that artists were itching to get into. We were grateful for the opportunity to provide private workspaces to folks once again. Akin Stockyards is a big, bright, gorgeous community of artists working together in what was once a halloween store, and before that a pharmacy.
Although a studio closure is always sad, in both of these cases it was expected, as we knew we only had a limited time in each building before the redevelopment plans for the sites were ready to move forward. This method of occupying space on an interim basis in the city is intentional and allows Akin to host artist workspaces in key areas of the city that would otherwise be unaffordable to so many of us.
At Akin we value transparency, and today we thought we’d take this opportunity to take you behind the curtain and let you know what Akin does once we find out a studio will be closing.
When Akin staff receives official notice from the property owner to vacate a studio, the first thing we do is inform our staff and our members. Usually we are able to inform everyone within 24 hours of receiving the notice.
Meanwhile, we have normally already begun the search to find another studio space as close by as possible for those members to move into. We like to refer to this as a relocation and not a closure, because we aim to move the community of artists to a new space to keep the connections folks have made in the studio intact. Closing a studio and opening a new one is an all hands on deck situation. We care about our members and we do everything we can to make this transition as smooth and simple as possible.
When we're signing a lease for a new space we always negotiate with the property owners to receive as much notice as possible when it is time to vacate - this is usually a minimum of 3 months. Sometime we are granted an extension as well to give everyone more time and minimize stress for everyone involved.
What’s next is a crucial and busy time for the Akin Staff. We’ve done many relocations before and are not strangers to the process. We launch a survey to our members at the closing studio, asking if they’d like to move to a new location. We place a hold on all available studios at other Akin locations to accommodate the relocating members. Our aim is to leave no member without a studio who wants one. There are always logistical roadblocks, but we do everything in our power to make that happen. It’s always our first priority to accommodate our current members, to find them a new studio as quickly and easily as possible.
Then, we celebrate! We want to hold space for all the connections, all the energy that was shared in a studio for the time we were in it. It’s always bittersweet to leave a studio and move to new ones, but it’s also a chance for new connections, new experiences. In our fifteen years of operation, Akin has said goodbye to eight studios from 2008-2022. Is it sad to move studios? Yes! Does it destroy our community? No! In fact, the opposite, our community is the strongest it’s ever been. We can, at once, mourn the loss of a closed studio and be excited about what’s to come. At the closing party, with any luck, it's not goodbye, it’s see you soon
A huge thank you to Akin’s Real Estate Advisory (AREA), an initiative set up to help ensure Akin evolves in a healthy and sustainable way while continuing to support our growing community long term. We’d also like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our real estate partners; without whom, none of this would be possible. In the cases of the studios we're moving out of soon, Akin Stockyards is in partnership with Marlin Spring and Akin Bloor-Yonge is in partnership with Capital Developments.
Thanks also to our fantastic, hard working staff and lovely studio members. Please feel free to direct further questions to info@akincollective.com. We welcome your feedback anytime!
Image Description: A slide show of the ten Akin Studios that have opened and closed.
Akin Waterfront Member Highlights - Meet the artists: Marcia, Vicky & Niki!
As spring approaches we want to take the time to highlight the creative work and community spirit of some of our Akin Waterfront Members. Introducing Marcia Bianchi, Vicky Vyas, and Niki Nazhand! Click “READ MORE” below to continue reading and learn more about these artists, their art practices, and why they love working in an Akin studio!
Read MoreAkin 2022 Year at a Glance
As the year comes to a close, we’re looking back to what turned out to be an exciting year for Akin. We opened three studio locations, expanded our Team with the addition of 7 new staff members and 4 new studio assistants, hosted dozens of events and exhibitions at Remote Gallery, supported artists in need with over $5000 from the Akin Studio Rent Relief Fund, and were thrilled to offer a variety of programming including more in-person events (while still maintaining lots of virtual programming options as well). We’ve got lots in store for 2023, but first, we thought we’d take a moment to recap all that’s happened in 2022.
Three New Studios Opened in 2022!
Images above: Five photographs of various artist studios at Akin Stockyards, Akin Bloor-Yonge, and Akin Waterfront. The photographs show artist workspaces and works in progress.
Akin Stockyards
Akin Stockyards is currently our largest studio space, host to over sixty artists. Since its opening, Akin Stockyards has shaped into such a wonderful and vibrant community. Highlights include the huge opening party with live music, games and food. Looking for a studio in the new year? Akin Stockyards still has some Dedicated and Shared Memberships available space left, email info@akincollective.com for more details.
Akin Bloor Yonge
Right in the heart of downtown Toronto, Akin Bloor Yonge opened to much excitement, and filled up quickly! (email us to be added to the waiting list). With Akin Bloor Younge we were happy to be able to start offering private studios again, which we have not been able to do since we closed our Akin King location.
Akin Waterfront
Nestled in Waterfront Toronto right near the lake, Akin Waterfront has become an exciting new studio location for us and our members! Akin Waterfront boasts many interesting features, like the Spray Booth, ventilated to accommodate indoor spray painting, and the large flex room for our members to book when they need some extra space to meet a client or photograph their work. We are looking forward to adding more amenities at Akin in the coming years!
Interested in an Akin studio in 2023? Click here to see what is currently available!
Art programming for everyone! Open Studios, Exhibitions, Workshops and more!
Financial Literacy Workshops for Artists
We kicked off the year with a jam packed, sold out webinar explaining how to do taxes as an artist. The talk, given by accountant Kelly Ross, gave attendees helpful tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your returns, keep records, and write off expenses for your business. We followed that with a series of workshops with WealthSimple on subjects such as Financial Planning, and Budgeting Tips & Tricks If you missed these, don’t fear! Stay tuned in 2023 for more financial literacy workshops from Akin!
Public Open Studio Events
After two challenging yeards during the pandemic where we had to keep our spaces close to the public, we were so thrilled to be able to host visitors at our studios again in 2022! We had multiple Open Studio Events throughout the year where our artists had an opportunity to show their works, and visitors got a chance to check out the studios.
Image description: A group of people are exploring the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG. The image centres on the aisle of the studio where many people are wandering around and looking at the studios.
Artist Wellness Workshops and Talks
In March 2022, artist Yasmeen Nematt Alla hosted ‘A Love Letter to your Practice’ a virtual writing workshop and meditation to celebrate the love we have for our own art practices. Together, we took a moment to slow down and reflect on how important practice is, how it is a home for our passions, our livelihood, and our mental health. We followed that with a series of online conversations on Mental Health for Artists with artist and psychologist (and Akin member) Kim Foster Yardley. We hope to bring you more wellness workshops in the new year!
Akin Art Crawl, Toronto Biennial Edition
Akin has been hosting Gallery Crawls since the very beginning, almost fifteen years ago. In the spring of 2022 Akin went back to its roots! Friends and studio members met at the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG and headed out to view all the work on display for the Toronto Biennial. Did you miss this one? There will be more art crawls in the future!
Scarborough Winter Arts Market and Exhibition
We finished off the year with a bang, hosting a (nearly) month-long Winter Arts Market and Exhibition at the brand new Clark Centre, Scarborough. With over 60 artists participating, there was art on the walls, tables filled with handmade art, and music in the air! A huge thank you to everyone who made that event such a success.
Image: Artwork hanging in a brightly lit gallery space.
Thank you!
We are incredibly grateful to our community; our studio members, friends, neighbors, programming and studio partners, staff, advisors, supporters and board of directors. Thank you for making this year such a fantastic one. We loved every minute of it, and can’t wait to spend 2023 with you.
Stay tuned for what we have in store in 2023. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter, follow @akinprojects on instagram, Akin Projects on Facebook, or visit our website for up-to-date information on events, updates, and studio news as it rolls out in the new year!
Community Check-in: AREA
Since its inception, Akin's mandate has centered around one main goal: securing suitable work spaces for artists in order to enrich and ensure the stability of artistic practice- in the city of Toronto. Over the course of nearly 14 years, our organization has developed a partially nomadic nature, a necessary reality for us and our community, to endure the challenges of Toronto’s real estate market. Adding a pandemic to the mix, one that forced many of our studio members into difficult financial decisions, Akin has become actively interested in engaging with the broader community to continue developing novel and innovative methods of considering and maintaining creative space in the city.
Akin collectively asked itself, “How do we help support healthy artists and organizations while reducing barriers to creative spaces in a continuous real estate dilemma?”
Thus AREA was born. AREA stands for Akin Real Estate Advisory, an initiative set up to help ensure Akin evolves in a healthy and sustainable way while continuing to support our growing community long term . Akin has convened experts in Toronto’s development and real estate industry who care to see artists thrive and who share feedback with us as we plan for the future. In recent months, Akin has been focused on stabilizing our administrative processes in order to advance our role, connecting artists and arts organizations in need of space with property developers and building owners eager to invigorate the arts and culture community through activation of space.
Akin’s founder, Oliver Pauk comments “It’s exciting to witness how a group of people, with a common goal of enriching Toronto’s creative scene in the long-term, can come together to build language and ideation around mixed use spaces. These spaces are the future of urban growth in Toronto. Building art and artists into the earliest stages of the development process, as a fundamental component of the city’s structure, gives us the ability to ensure the richness and well-being of communities.”
“We are looking forward to continuing to partner with Akin and to support them with their real estate strategy. The AREA committee strongly believes in the work Akin is doing to support the arts in Toronto, and we are proud to lend our expertise to expand their reach even further” said AREA Board Member, Heidi Tibben.
Monthly and on a volunteer basis, Pauk is joined by Jonathan Peretz (JLL), Katie Fong (Slate), Heidi Tibben (Carttera), Liza Stiff (TAS), Ashley Wedlock (Kingsett Capital), Ayelet Klaczkowski (Kingsett Capital), and Joshua Mitchell (University of Toronto) for a chance to strategize around Akin’s recovery and ongoing search for relevantly located, suitable spaces (both short- and long-term). AREA is also advising on the development of a system for creating creative work and exhibition opportunities with property owners, a valuable collaboration building structure for mutually-valuable relationships across Toronto.
We are grateful for the support of the AREA team and are excited for the insights they will share that shine a light on opportunities ahead of Akin to further our work in advocating for artists and creative spaces in the city of Toronto.
For any questions or concerns, please email us at info@akincollective.com.
Our 8th Studio is here: Introducing Akin Bloor-Yonge!
Akin is thrilled to announce the opening of a new studio location in one of Toronto’s most bustling intersections; Akin Bloor-Yonge! This space is located at 717 Church Street, north of the Bloor St W and Yonge St intersection, making it a great addition to a lively and cultural Toronto neighbourhood.
This studio is Akin’s 8th studio in the city, marking a slow but sure recovery from the necessary closures occurring during the height of the COVID 19 pandemic. Akin Bloor-Yonge will bring with it 28 dedicated studios —12 private, 10 semi private, and 6 regular studios along with 8 Shared Memberships.
Our Akin Bloor-Yonge Shared Memberships will be available for $71/month, which includes access to shared working areas, shared storage, kitchen, and bathroom. The 28 Dedicated Memberships available will be ranging from 37sf for $216/month to 179sf for $662/month including 12 completely private studios (four walls that go to the ceiling and a door that closes) and 10 semi private studios (three or four walls that go to the ceiling, but no door - just an entranceway) as well as some regular dedicated studios (partitions or walls). The Private and Semi Private studios range from 95sf for $440/month to 179sf for $662/month. Just like at all of our studio memberships the monthly fee includes HST, 24/7 access, insurance, WiFi, contents insurance, cleaning and maintenance service, and access to all common areas.
Priority for studios has been given to current Akin members from other studio locations, artists who have been on the Akin waiting lists for 6 months or longer, Akin members from our former Akin studio locations which closed in 2020 or 2021, as well as those who identify as a member of one or more of the Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Groups (Persons of Colour, Deaf Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Living with Mental Illness, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIAP). That being said, we will do our best to provide space at this new location to anyone who is interested in the future.
We would like to acknowledge the support of our partners Capital Developments for making this location available for our community and a special thank you to our community for uplifting our efforts to return our spaces back to the city.
Akin is looking forward to you joining us in building this space together and carving out more affordable working areas for our artists in similarly appealing spots. This studio currently has a limited number of private, semi-private, and regular studios available ranging from 110sf for $576/month to 179sf for $662/month, as well as Shared Memberships which are $71/month.
Please email info@akincollective.com to learn more.
Image Description: A graphic with plant imagery in the background. In the foreground is black text on a white circular background and a yellow rectangle that reads a variation of the below caption.
Let's Have a Summer Party!
🎉LET'S HAVE A SUMMER PARTY 🎉
Summer is here in all of its glory and we want to celebrate the opening of Akin Stockyards with you in this FREE community and family event! Come meet the Akin members in an open studio along with food, live music from Astrosurf, and a community paint wall for you to participate in.
We will also be having a special visit from Councillor Frances Nunziata, and will be hearing from them, our event sponsors from Marlin Spring and some familiar Akin faces.
When: Wednesday July 13th 2022
Time: 4:00PM - 7:00PM
Address: 2231 St. Clair Ave West
We're so excited to celebrate with you 🥳🎊🎈
Invite your friends on social media through our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter posts!
Image Description: A purple background with two people holding hands in the shape of an infinity sign. The text reads, “We’re hiring! Administrative Assistant, Pay: 21/Hour, 5-20 hours a week, Deadline June 24th 2022.”
We're Hiring: Administrative Assistant - Part Time
Job Title: Administrative Assistant - Part Time
Location: This will be a remote position.
Compensation: $21/hour, approximately 5-20 hours a week
The Opportunity
At Akin, we’re excited to bring your eye for detail, your organization skills, and your creative aptitude to our organization. Reporting to the Facilities Manager, Studio Operations Manager, and Director your responsibilities will include:
Regular, ongoing administration related to Akin memberships, and supporting ongoing initiatives such as the Akin Studio Rent Relief Fund
Supporting with administrative tasks related to Akin’s leases, contracts, payment processing, applications, purchases, and accounting
Studio and Akin community research, file, and data management
Managing and organizing applications on an as-needed basis for the Akin Studio Program, hiring at Akin, and other special projects
Managing Akin’s Google listings for all locations
Managing Akin Membership data in our member management software (software used: Pickspace and Quickbooks)
Supporting the Studio Operations Manager with Customer Relationship Management data (software used: Streak)
Occasional administrative support related to marketing and programming (software used: Hootsuite, and Squarespace)
Calendar management using Google Calendar
Payment processing
Studio inventory management
Note-taking and other participation in meetings with the Akin team members on an as-needed basis.
Optional: joining one or more of Akin’s Committees, depending on your interests and experience/skill set (Programming, Marketing, Community Experience, Conflict Resolution, Fundraising)
Optional: Participating in community building Akin events and programming.
Benefits: You will have access to a free shared membership at Akin or a free Dedicated Studio (100sf or less), as well as access to the Akin Office located near Yonge and Bloor. You will also be able to book Akin’s Remote Gallery for 3 days for free ($450 value).
To Apply: Submit resume and cover letter by email to work@akincollective.com (one PDF preferred) with “[YOUR NAME] - ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT” in the subject line. Please have your file(s) labeled with your name as well.
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Love Letter to your Art Practice
Do you hold love for your art practice? How do you recognize it? How do you show it? A Love Letter to your Practice facilitated by Yasmeen Nematt Alla, invites artists, makers, and creatives to join us for a writing and meditation workshop to celebrate the love we hold for our art practices. For most of us, our practices have supported our passions, our livelihoods, and our mental health. We hope to spend time together gathering as we discuss ways to show care to the very things that push us forward.
This event will take place online on March 9th at 6PM to 7:30PM.
Please join the event with a writing or drawing utensil and some paper.
You can sign up in our link: http://ow.ly/eERM50I3TwH
Yasmeen Nematt Alla(she/her) is an Egyptian immigrant and settler living in Tkaronto, Turtle Island (colonially known as Toronto, Ontario). Her practice centres alienated collectivist narratives from an immigrant’s and an interpreter’s perspective. As someone who lives between cultures, she deciphers language barriers attached to togetherness through textiles, performance, and reactive sculptures that are often situated in social practice. She wonders how translation, experiences, and visuals intertwine with care, grief, and community building.
In Response to Growing COVID-19 Changes
As COVID-19 continues to affect our community, we are determined to keep you informed on how these changes can impact Akin members. The Ontario government recently announced an Update to Public Health Measures in response to Omicron (COVID-19), temporarily moving to a modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen.
While Akin studios remain open at this time to members, we have revised our studio policies in response to the rapidly spreading and highly transmissible Omicron Variant, we continue to adjust our policies in order to protect Akin members and our community as a whole. Click here to view Akin's COVID-19 Protocol at Akin Studios.
Some additional changes in the Public Health Measures from the Ontario Government which may impact some Akin Members:
PCR testing and contract tracing is no longer widely available in Ontario unless you are a "high-risk" individual. The full list of who is eligible for PCR testing and contract tracing can be found here. In addition, most individuals with a positive result from a rapid antigen test will no longer be required or encouraged to get a confirmatory PCR or rapid molecular test.
If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or if you have COVID-19 symptoms, or have tested positive for COVID-19 with a rapid test, the government is advising that you assume it is COVID-19 and you self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days.
Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms who are vaccinated will be required to isolate for 105 days following the onset of symptoms. Their household contacts are also required to isolate with them. These individuals can end isolation after five days if their symptoms are improved for at least 24 hours and all public health and safety measures, such as masking and physical distancing, are followed.
Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised will be required to isolate for a minimum of 10 days.
If you have COVID-19 (or have symptoms or been in touch with someone who has) you should also notify your close contacts. A close contact is anyone you were less than two metres away from for at least 15 minutes, or multiple shorter lengths of time, without personal protective equipment in the 48 hours before your symptoms began or your positive test result, whichever came first.
Employers cannot threaten, fire, or penalize an employee in any other way because the employee took or plans on taking job-protected leave due to COVID-19, and doctors notes are not required for employees to use the leave. You can learn more about job-protected leave here.
If you require assistance while isolating, visit COVID-19: Support for people. You can also contact their public health unit for many isolation supports including:
Use of isolation facilities;
Referral to community supports and agencies;
Courier and delivery supports for food and necessities;
Additional resources available to support isolation through the High Priority Communities strategy.
Please don’t hesitate to email us with any questions or concerns at info@akincollective.com
We hope the upcoming days are safe and healthy for you and your loved ones,
Akin
Image Description: A graphic of a person cutting snow cutouts out as they sit on a chair and at a table. Hung around them are snow cutouts in varying sizes as well as Akin cutouts. There is text that reads Happy Holidays Akin. On the upper right corner is the Akin logo.
Happy Holidays from Akin!
The year is coming to an end and we wanted to wish each of you a warm and safe holiday season. This was a year of recovery, reflection, and of supporting our community of artists. The past year marked many milestones with Akin and we wanted to take a minute to acknowledge said milestones and share with you some of the highlights of the 2021.
A Growing Akin!
Image Description: 8 Akin members and staff are gathered together. They are smiling at the camera and are standing over some benches and the corner of a brick building.
We began the year with the introduction of our six new Akin Projects board members, and welcomed Tannis Nielsen as our Indigenous Studio Space Advisor. Throughout the year we also added three new Akin staff members to our growing team.
We celebrated our 2021 RBC Space Award Winners, BigArtTO Artists, Akin members at TOAF, and saw many more of you create around the city in new and exciting ways. Our ongoing series of @akinprojects Instagram Takeovers has featured the works and thoughts of our artists and makers.
You helped us support artists:
Image Description: On a white background is text that reads How have we allocated resources from the Akin Rent Relief Fund?. A pie graph breaks down three sections: the biggest slice in the darkest orange has text that reads $20,389 distributed out to over a 100 artists." The second slice in orange has text that reads, $1,159 Akin's admin, and the final darker orange slice has text that reads $1640 left in funds. In the right upper corner is the Akin logo.
Funded by artists and our generous donors, our Rent Relief Fund distributed $20,389 out to over 100 artists in the city of Toronto and continues to support our members. We’ve also launched our Friends of Akin Donor Program which helps bring to life our vision and mission to sustain and improve the art ecosystem in Toronto for the next generation of artists and communities.
We said goodbye to spaces we loved; Akin X Collision Gallery, Akin Lakeshore, and Akin Ossington. Endings however are often signs of new beginnings because we also launched Akin Logan, and are looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of artists to the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG as well as launching new studio locations across the city in the new year!
Despite the challenges of the year, we held a number of exhibitions, workshops, show and tells, and get togethers—some even in real life!—and through it we created, shared, and connected over our art practices.
We're so grateful for YOU!
Image Description: A number of people gathered in a studio space that contains hung up art as well as tables and chairs. There is a person at the front speaking as the people look towards them.
Finally, a huge thank you to our studio members for being a part of our community! Akin would not exist without your passion, your dedication, your creations, your support and your presence. Thank you for sharing through these times with us and we are looking forward to another year together.
Have a wonderful end of your year and here’s to brighter days ahead and a kind, healthy and joyful new year.
With care and warmth,
Akin
Goodbye Akin Ossington
After 5 years of creation, community building, and holding space for artists, most recently, through an ongoing pandemic, Akin has said goodbye to Akin Ossington. Our studios closed permanently on September 30, 2021.
Located at 888 Dupont St, Akin Ossington contained our first studio dedicated to providing workspace for light industrial art making. With over 70 studio workspaces in total, ranging from 20 square feet to 250 square feet, this space allowed for both shared and private studios for artists as well as thoughtful creative programming to complement its creative members.
This century-old historic building, used by many artists over the years was significant in many ways for the city, but also for Akin, from being one of Akin's most populated and active spaces, to holding Akin’s very first Community fridge, Akin Ossington created space for artists to gather, create, and connect with one another. Like many other spaces, Akin Ossington was heavily affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. With the support of TAS, the owner of the property, Akin was able to mitigate the rent costs and allow our artists some financial relief towards their studio spaces during a period during which artists and creatives were hit the hardest.
“It’s so disheartening to let go of a space that we’ve loved for so long. Having conversations about losing one of our studios in the middle of a pandemic showcases how much organizations like Akin need long-term spaces in the city.” - Oliver Pauk, Akin’s Founder and Director
Since opening its first modest space in West Queen West 13 years ago, Akin has endeavoured to make being an artist an affordable and viable vocation in our city. Now more than ever, we feel Akin’s role is an important one for Toronto's cultural community and artists, as we ensure that there is always space to create, to build, and to work.
A space filled with people standing in the background. In the foreground are two people holding guitars and playing. One is wearing a blue jacket and the other is wearing a lilac sweater. Around them are speakers and guitar cases.
Instead of mourning however, Akin chose to celebrate the memories created together. TAS, Manual Arts, and Akin partnered together to bring the Akin Community a goodbye party featuring drinks, friends, and live music. Moreno Zulu, MOMxW¥FE, and Bingo Day were some of the local artists that brought their talents to 888 Dupont one last time.
Akin Ossington members were supported during the studio closure by Akin staff and team. Many of the artists have relocated their studio to our existing other Akin locations, or have been added to waiting lists for Akin’s two upcoming new studio locations in the East End.
Akin wants to thank the Akin Ossington studio members from the last five years for their creativity, collaborative spirit, patience and for contributing to the vibrant artist community in the building, and in the city. We also want to thank Berat OĞUR for capturing and putting together our Akin Ossington tribute video.
Although it is sad to say goodbye to Akin Ossington, it is exciting to look forward to the future and Akin is excited to be opening new studio locations in 2022.
For more information, waiting list inquiries, or to share ideas, please get in touch with info@akincollective.com. Please note that all our studios are at capacity at this time, but we are happy to share info with you and to add you to one of our waiting lists.