Frequently Asked Questions About Akin
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GENERAL:
Why haven't you emailed me back yet?
Please note that Akin’s team are all practicing artists and, in almost all cases, work only part-time for Akin. Our email response time is generally between 3-5 business days, but occasionally can be longer when we’re especially busy. We thank you for your patience. If you have an emergency you can reach out to emergency@akincollective.com
Can I drop by one of the studios sometime to check out the space?
Please note that the studios are only available for tours that are scheduled in advance. We'd love to show you around, but want to make sure we're there!
Who do I contact if…..?
See our Contact Page for a list of contacts.
I want to collaborate with Akin. What should I do?
Akin is always on the look out for new partners and collaborations. If you would like to collaborate with us please email us a description of your idea and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Email info@akincollective.com
I want to work for Akin, what should I do?
Akin is not currently hiring, but will occasionally put out job postings. Check out www.akincollective.com/jobs for current postings.
I want to volunteer for Akin, what should I do?
Wonderful! Thank you! Please reach out by email to info@akincollective.com to discuss volunteer opportunities.
What events and programming does Akin offer?
Check our Instagram, calendar, or blog, for events, programming and other projects.
Who do I contact if I would like to interview someone at Akin for an article or video?
Please email info@akincollective.com to make arrangements.
Does Akin and the artists it supports have a role in Toronto becoming more gentrified?
Akin is focused on tackling Toronto’s space crisis and its impact on creatives in our city, but gentrification is a very complex process and ultimately we, like all arts organizations, play a role. One of Akin’s goals (that we’ve only begun to make progress on) is to mitigate our role in gentrification by including existing neighbourhoods in our projects. We believe that the most honest way to fight gentrification is to give current residents the opportunity to dictate what changes happen in their neighbourhoods and how those changes occur.
Typically Akin is operating in spaces that are already set for demolition and development (often in parts of the city that have been heavily developed for some time) meaning that this gentrification was already planned for and Akin and the artists who work with us are merely making use of space before it is transformed. Yes, there is an opportunity for developers to benefit from Akin’s presence and we strongly believe that the benefits that come from Akin providing lower-cost studio space and activating these spaces is highly valuable for the existing community.
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.
We believe that Akin’s model of providing space for artists and activating space with arts programming is one of many needed solutions to Toronto’s space crisis and we believe that it simultaneously benefits the arts community, geographic communities, and property owners/developers while allowing Akin to serve its mandate of continuing to do this work. We hope that what we do can contribute to the vibrance and vitality of Toronto in an ongoing way and can help keep it as the city that we (and many others) want to continue calling home.
How does Akin make money?
The majority of Akin’s revenue comes from our studio rentals. This pays for our staff, rent, insurance, utilities, maintenance and other associated costs. You can see a full breakdown of our income and expenses among other information in our 2018 Summary Report here: https://www.akincollective.com/2018report
How do I find out about or connect with other Akin members?
You can find out about other Akin member’s work on our blog by clicking here.
You can also find out about Akin members by following Akin on Facebook or Instagram.
JOINING AKIN / MEMBERSHIP:
How do I join Akin?
To become an Akin member we ask that you first send an email to info@akincollective.com with any questions you may have as well as your preference of our studio locations. We will then coordinate a time with you to meet the studio manager(s) and have a tour at the location(s) you are interested in. If there is an available spot that you would like to move into we will request your last month's deposit and first month's membership fee payment and that you sign our online membership agreement. Once these things are completed you will be given the access information to the studio and will be able to move into your new studio on the move in date. Unlike most studio providers, Akin’s Membership is month to month. If there is no studio spot available you can be added to our waiting list after your tour.
All Akin members must follow our Code of Conduct and Health and Safety policies. You can find information about them on our website along with information about Conflict Resolution, Reporting, and other information and resources for members including Akin Event Listings, recommended Resources for Artists in Toronto and a listing of Community Resources. We believe in creating kind, supportive and courteous studio communities.
Do I have to apply to become an Akin Member?
Everyone is welcome at Akin regardless of skill level or experience! It is not necessary to submit a portfolio or C.V. to become an Akin member at one of our studios. Akin prioritizes individuals who self-identify with Equity Seeking Groups into our studios and is committed to maintaining an anti-oppressive, queer- and trans-positive environment, welcoming Indigenous, marginalized, and racialized folks, and folks with disabilities.
How do I book a tour?
To schedule a tour please contact info@akincollective.com. Please note at this time we are only offering tours when there is an available studio space.
What is the minimum rental term?
2 months. This allows us to maintain studio affordability as best possible, since there are organizational costs that we incur in signing up each new studio member. If you would like to rent a space for a shorter time period please consider Remote Gallery which can be rented for all sorts of uses, by the day, week or for a whole month.
What are the membership options? What is the difference between a dedicated membership and a shared membership?
Joining Akin as a Dedicated Member means that you have your own studio space - your own section of the studio, typically including 1, 2 or 3 walls. Dedicated studio spaces are priced by size and range from 15sf to 250sf. No furniture is provided for dedicated studio rentals, so you must bring your own furniture, tools and supplies, but you’ll have lots of flexibility in setting up your space as you see fit.
Alternatively you can join Akin as a Shared Member ($78/month) and have access to communal workspace (tables, chairs, and easels) including shared storage space, kitchen and bathroom. Shared members can use shared areas of the studio on a first-come-first-served basis. Shared areas must be left clean and clear when you are done using them which means you must clean up after yourself and put your belongings back in the shared storage areas or take them with you.
What is a Studio Manager?
Each Akin location has an artist working as a designated Studio Manager. The Studio Manager is the first point of contact for Akin studio members. The role of the Studio Manager is to communicate with members and to ensure that the studio spaces are suitable for everyone to work in at all times. You will see the Studio Manager around the studio on a regular basis and can reach out to them by email at any time with questions or concerns. Studio Managers conduct tours of the space on a regular basis, and are often in attendance for studio activities including programming, social events, as well as conflict resolution, if needed. The Studio Manager is there to support you and the other members. If you ever have questions or concerns you should reach out to your Studio Manager.
How long is the waiting list?
The waiting list to join Akin is specific to each studio location as most people have a preference for which location they would like to work at. Since our rent is month to month, new spaces open up at Akin all the time and we move through the waiting lists according to the pace with which spaces become available. We honor the waiting list in chronological order of when people were added to the list, but prioritize folks that identify as members of any of the Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Groups.
Can I rent a studio to share with a friend or colleague?
Yes, in this case an additional $70 “sharing fee” is added to the total monthly rental amount for each additional artist working within the chosen shared studio space.
How much notice does Akin require if I want to end my membership?
Membership is month-to-month and we require one full calendar month’s notice by email when a member is giving up their studio. Notice must be given before the first day of the month. For example if you want February to be your last month at Akin you must give notice by January 31.
How do I give notice if I want to end my membership?
Please email your studio manager to end your membership. You must give notice one full calendar month in advance of when you wish to leave Akin. Please see above for more details.
Can I put my membership on hold?
Unfortunately you may not put your membership on hold. If you wish to leave Akin you must give 1-full calendar month’s notice to your studio manager in writing.
Can I sublet my studio space?
Sublets are allowed at the discretion of your studio manager. Please reach out to your studio manager by email to discuss the logistics of a sublet.
Does Akin provide shared tools or materials?
Akin does not provide any shared tools or materials though some Akin locations have room in the shared areas for Akin members to leave things for each other to either borrow or keep. Please note that unless an item is clearly labelled that you should not help yourself to anything that is not yours (for example a label that says “Free! Help yourself!”. Akin members must never borrow tools or materials form their studio mates without asking. This constitutes theft and will result in immediate eviction.
Please contact your studio manager if you have any questions or suggestions regarding shared tools or equipment.
How do I communicate with my studio mates if they are not in the studio at the same time as me?
You are welcome to use the community board in the studio (a cork board or a white board) to leave notices for your studio mates. In addition, we welcome you to join us for Akin’s various programmed events.
STUDIOS:
What is the largest studio size?
250sf is the largest studio size, however, if you require more space, you are welcome to rent multiple studios if they are available. In some cases you can combine two or more neighboring studios to have a space larger than 250sf.
What is the smallest studio size?
15sf is the smallest studio size. Most are 25sf or larger.
What is the average studio size?
50sf is the average studio size.
Are there completely private studios?
Most studios have dividing walls but the walls do not go to the ceiling and the studios do not have their own door that closes. Akin Yonge-St Clair and Akin Richmond-Bathurst have a few completely private studios (four walls to the ceiling and a door the closes).
Can I bring a visitor / guest / client to the studio?
Akin members are welcome to occasionally bring guests to the studio. Guests must not be given keys or door codes to the studio or be left unsupervised at any time. Guests must follow the Akin Code of Conduct at all times and will be asked to leave if they are noisy or disruptive. Bringing the same guest to the studio on a regular basis is considered to be the same as having a studio mate sharing your space with you and an additional charge of $70/month will be applied to your monthly studio rent.
Can I rent a studio at more than one location?
Yes you may rent a studio at more than one Akin location. To make arrangements for this and to discuss your options please contact info@akincollective.com
Can I get my mail delivered to the studio?
This depends on the studio location. Please contact your studio manager or info@akincollective.com to find this out and for your studio’s correct mailing address and any relevant information regarding mail delivery and collection. It’s worth noting that Akin is not able to take responsibility for any mail or packages that go missing.
Is there parking at the studios?
There is parking available at some of our locations. If parking is not available at your studio location there is often street parking and/or parking via surface lots and a variety of parking structures. Contact your studio manager for more information regarding parking at your studio location.
MEMBERSHIP FEES, PAYMENTS AND PRICING:
What is included with the rent?
The prices for both Dedicated and Shared memberships include 24/7 access to the studios, taxes, insurance, wifi, access to communal working areas as well as storage, kitchen, and bathroom and access to the various perks of being an Akin member (art supply discounts, access to health insurance options and more). Memberships are on a month-to-month basis.
Are there fee increases?
There is an annual fee increase every January. The January 2022 rent increase will be 1.2% - the lowest in Akin history. Ultimately, we wish that Akin didn't have to ever increase the rents for our studios, but obviously that doesn't work in the long run and we sincerely hope to exist for the long run because we believe that we're providing something that is valuable for arts and culture in Toronto. It's worth noting that we do a really good job of keeping most of our costs as low as we can and this is something we're striving for every day. Though it’s still a work in progress, we are optimistic that we can continue to roll out increases every year that match the inflation rate, which is the bare minimum increase necessary for us (and every other organization/company in Canada) to survive with all of the costs that increase every year - in our case: leases, utilities, insurance, staffing, building materials, janitorial supplies, etc, etc.
When is payment due?
Payment is due before the first of each month so that we can pay the rents to our landlords on the first of the month (example: November rent payment is due October 31).
How is payment accepted?
Payment is accepted by e-transfer or bank transfer only. We accept Credit Cards as well through your Akin Membership fee (there is a 2.9% processing fees added to Credit Card transactions).