Ontario Construction New staff writer
The City of Toronto, with funding from the Government of Canada, secured and protected homes as well as the Propeller Art Gallery at 38 Abell St., previously under the management of Toronto Artscape Inc. This ensures that artists and their families can remain in their homes and that the Propeller Art Gallery continues to operate as an affordable space for artists to work and showcase their art.
Existing tenants will be able to remain in their homes and retain access to the creative spaces there following the receivership.
Properties formerly managed by Artscape entered receivership in early 2024 after months of legal proceedings – with 390 homes at risk. Working in partnership with artists, the City took early action and successfully secured 91 per cent of the homes.
Following Artscape’s insolvency, the city stepped in to immediately fund property management services across Artscape’s 14 buildings and helped establish ArtHubs, a new not-for-profit organization that now manages key community cultural hubs that were previously operated by Artscape including Daniels Spectrum, Gibraltar Point and Wychwood Barns.
Toronto and the Government of Canada are providing funding to Propeller Art Gallery to buy back its exhibition space on the ground floor and will acquire 20 affordable housing units. This acquisition means these homes are now secured and will be permanently affordable.
“Affordable homes for 390 tenants across 14 Artscape properties have been secured and will remain affordable forever. Artists are an essential part of Toronto—bringing beauty, music, culture and vibrancy to our city. I want to thank city staff and advocates who have worked diligently for over a year to make today possible,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “This investment will support local artists and build inclusive communities in Toronto.”
