AKIN
Akin is a Toronto-based arts organization that provides creative studio space as well as arts-based programming. Their studios provide a working environment that maintains a friendly and inspiring atmosphere where people can work on creative endeavours and entrepreneurial undertakings of all kinds. Akin builds community through monthly art critiques, workshops, open studio events, gallery tours, exhibitions, as well as various other art projects.
In addition to providing affordable studio space Akin has developed a range of arts programming opportunities through its sister organization Akin Projects. This includes about 50 events each year in three streams: professional development opportunities for practicing artists, creative workshops and programs, and community engagement projects. All Akin events are free or low cost and are open to the public. In many cases Akin partners with other organizations to provide these offerings. Partners have included: AGO, MOCA, CAMH, The Power Plant, 401 Richmond, Canadian Art Magazine, Ronald McDonald House, West Neighbourhood House, the Drake Hotel, the Gladstone Hotel, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, OCADU, Soho House, and Sunday Drive Art Projects.
Visit their website at www.akincollective.com
AKIN
HISTORY
Akin was founded in 2008 by artist Oliver Pauk and furniture designer Michael Dellios. Initially set up as a small studio in a loft on Queen Street West for a group of friends, the organization soon moved to a larger space at Akin Dufferin (444 Dufferin St) in order to serve more artists as it became clear that there was a great need for affordable workspace for creatives in Toronto.
In 2011 artist Michael Vickers began developing a range of arts programming opportunities for the Toronto arts community in addition to studio development. Michael left Akin for other opportunities in February 2021.
In order to accommodate a growing waitlist, two new locations were established: Akin Lansdowne in 2014 and Akin Dupont in 2015, the same year that nonprofit Akin Projects was founded, now offering close to 60 events each year in three streams: professional development opportunities for practicing artists, creative workshops and programs, and community engagement projects.
In 2017 four new locations were opened with Akin Sunrise, Akin Ossington, Akin St. Clair and Akin River. In 2018 Akin announced the Akin Studio Program in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Toronto Canada which launched in September 2018. In 2019 Akin announced the opening of Remote Gallery, a dedicated programming and exhibition space in partnership with the Toronto Art Council. Remote Gallery opened in March 2019 as a space for showcasing creative projects of all kinds. Akin has continued to open more studios and expand its programming as needed and has become the largest provider of shared studio space in Toronto. Still entirely artist run, Akin now has nine locations across Toronto with roughly 45,000 square feet of studio space and proudly provides affordable work space for nearly 300 visual artists, designers and other creatives. Oliver Pauk now serves as Akin’s Director, and Michael Dellios is President of Akin Projects’ Board of Directors. Akin continues today with the same vision with which it began – by working together and sharing space, we can support artists across the city in all aspects of their careers.
TIMELINE
2008 – Akin is founded to accommodate 10 artist friends within a 600 sqft studio space at 48 Abell St.
2009 – Akin relocates to Akin Dufferin, a 2000 sqft shared artist studio at 444 Dufferin St. providing space to 25 artists.
2011 – Akin begins to offer public programming including critiques and gallery crawls and expands Dufferin location to two units and 2800 sqft total.
2014 – Akin opens its second location, Akin Lansdowne, in a 3600 sqft studio and expands public programs to large public information sessions, grant workshops, community programs and more.
2015 – Akin formally registers nonprofit Akin Projects to host programming and opens Akin Dupont location with 4000 sqft of space over 3 studios. Akin hires its first staff drawing from its artist membership, and after receiving modest OAC and TAC grants, Akin Projects begins 3 major streams of free and low cost public programs. Akin expands Akin Lansdowne location to 5 studios (including three private studios) and 5500 sqft.
2016 – Akin expands Akin Dupont location to 6500 sqft and is now providing affordable work space to a total of 160 artists. Akin Projects’ free programming grows to include exhibitions, professional development workshops and community collaborations, now attended by thousands of members of the public each year from across the province.
2017 – Akin opens 4 new studio hubs in one year – Akin Sunrise, Akin Ossington, Akin St. Clair and Akin River. Now totalling a combined 27,000 sqft of studio space and over 300 artists served by the organization. Akin reaches agreement with Museum of Contemporary Art to lease half of the museum’s 4th floor and create the Akin Studio Program at MOCA.
2018 – Akin is invited to present on cultural hubs, creative industries and affordability to a variety of organizations and government bodies including City of Toronto and the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage at the House of Commons. Akin opens Akin King in a typically unaffordable design district in the city core to relocate evicted studio artists from Akin Dufferin and Akin Lansdowne. Akin launches the Akin Studio Program at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
2019 – Akin expands Akin Ossington and Akin River and launches Akin Lakeshore; now serving nearly 400 artists. REMOTE Gallery and Akin Richmond are launched in partnership with the Toronto Arts Council. In collaboration with consultant Rania El Mugammar Akin announces a new Code of Conduct, Elder Artist in Residence Program, and Rent Relief Fund.
2020 – Akin Launches the Akin X Collision Gallery Residency Program. The Akin Rent Relief Fund begins accepting applications from members. Akin hires new staff including a Senior Development Associate and Indigenous Space Advisor. Akin Sunrise and Akin River close.
2021 – Akin X Collision Gallery Residency Program Ends. The 3rd cohort of the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG move into their studios. Akin launches a new location, Akin Logan. Akin launches our first Community Fridge at Akin Ossington.