Programming Information: Session One

Programming Information: Session One

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8 3–5PM

Fort York Visitor Centre 250 Fort York Blvd.

We wish to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory, Tkranto, “Where the Trees Meet The Water”, the “Gathering Place”, of the

Mississaugas of the Credit River, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishnaabe and the Huron Wendat Nations. We recognize them as the past, present and future caretakers of this land, and the land of The Bentway as the original

shoreline of lake Ontario. We would like to pay our respects to all who have gathered and will continue to gather in this place.

Presentation 35 mins • Overview of the Project: Ken Greenberg 5

mins • Programming Introduction: Artscape 10 mins • Programming Zones and Infrastructure:

PUBLIC WORK + Artscape 10 mins • Submission Process: Artscape 10 mins

Q&A 25 mins Tour 1 hour

AGENDA

PROGRAMMING INFORMATION: SESSION ONE

OVERVIEW

PARTNERS This project was made possible through the collaboration of a range of city-builders and experts, including the City of Toronto, Waterfront Toronto, the Judy & Wilmot Matthews Foundation, Ken Greenberg Consultants, PUBLIC WORK, Fort York National Historic Site and Artscape.


The Bentway, formerly known as Project: Under Gardiner, is a unique and innovative public space that will transform the vacant and forgotten area underneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway into a 1.75km trail and site of activity, stretching from Strachan Ave. and Spadina Ave.

WHAT IS THE BENTWAY


This trail and series of public spaces will knit together seven neighbourhoods – Exhibition Place, Liberty Village, Niagara, Fort York Neighbourhood, Bathurst Quay, Wellington Place and CityPlace – and become a gateway to the waterfront, while providing access to important attractions and destinations – from the Molson Amphitheatre to the Rogers Centre and Harbourfront Centre.

WHERE IS THE BENTWAY


WHY IS IT CALLED THE BENTWAY In 2015, Waterfront Toronto and Bespoke Collective initiated a public campaign to name what was then called Project: Under Gardiner. The public suggested 884 different options and a shortlist of four names were chosen by a jury of Torontonians and put to a public vote. After three months, 5000 votes and a four day runoff vote, The Bentway beat out its closest competitor “The Artery” by almost double the amount of votes. The winning name celebrates “the bents”, the column-and-beam structures that frame the space under the Gardiner Expressway.


THE BENTWAY CONSERVANCY The Bentway Conservancy is a new not-for-profit organization that maintains, operates and programs The Bentway. We provide administrative and operational leadership, ensuring that the space engages the surrounding community and city as a whole, offers a broad spectrum of events and programming, is safe and accessible, and is financially sustainable. Our organization is responsible for mapping out a schedule of year-round events, activities and opportunities for residents, community members and visitors. The Bentway Conservancy is a respectful steward of this unique public space, committed to accessibility and openness, while cultivating a culture of discovery and community participation. The Bentway Conservancy works in partnership with the City of Toronto, Fort York National Historic Site, the seven adjacent neighbouring communities and other stakeholders and partners across the City of Toronto and beyond.


WHEN WILL THE BENTWAY BE DONE? JULY 1, 2017 Interim event space near the Strachan Gate, connecting to Fort York Boulevard via a series of gathering spaces and gardens DECEMBER 2017 The skating trail near the Fort York Visitor Centre SUMMER 2018 Permanent event support facilities at Strachan Gate


JULY 1, 2017 • Fort Frontage • Shingle Beach & Shoreline

Gardens • Trail: Ianuzzi-Spadina INTERIM • Lower Strachan Gate • Shoreline Plaza • Trail Connection Across

Fort York BLVD

DECEMBER 2017 • Skating Trail • Skating Building

SUMMER 2018 • Strachan Gate Structure &

Building • Invasion Garden

PHASE 1


PROGRAMMING

WHAT THE REOI DOES THROUGH THIS REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST, WE HAVE TWO AIMS: TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH YOU Describing the programming vision for The Bentway TO LEARN FROM YOU How would you like to become a part of The Bentway; what would you like to do or offer and what type of structures, equipment, access, timeframes or resources would you need to make that happen? RESPONSES TO THIS REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST WILL BE USED TO: Identify both potential long-term and event-specific Programming Partners and third-party Programming Providers. Define the long-term programming vision and strategy for the space


CURATORIAL VISION The Bentway will be a space like no other—a forum for social engagement, artistic experimentation and creative expression which brings to life the multi-layered history of the area as a gathering place for indigenous peoples and the location of the Fort York National Historic Site. Local neighbours, the broader Toronto community and visitors to the City will be invited to host, co-create and participate in year-round cultural and recreational activities. The Bentway’s programs, events and activities will reveal the site’s hidden stories, reconnect visitors with this unique place, and transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.


OPERATING PRINCIPLES • The Bentway’s trail and connections will always be accessible

to the public, with a natural circulation and flow throughout the site. Corridors to the waterfront and other north/south cross-routes will always remain open.

• The space will always encourage a sense of discovery, openness and shared community experience.

• Year-round programing will be predominantly free, open and accessible to the public.

• When there are isolated ticketed events the majority of the space will be open for the public to enjoy other free engagement opportunities.

• The Bentway’s programming opportunities will always reflect the diversity of Toronto, and acknowledge and be respectful of the site’s historical and indigenous roots.

• The Bentway’s programming will always include community engagement and involvement.

• The Bentway’s programming will be built through collaborative and respectful partnerships with the local community, city-wide organizations, and beyond.


PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMING PARTNERS will offer collaborative, co-produced programming, with potential design, staffing, space or additional resource support. PROGRAMMING PROVIDERS will offer independent programming, offering producers more control and flexibility, and the responsibility to secure required resources.


PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORK CONT’D TYPE OF PROGRAMMING Regular Programming is on-going, smaller scale year-round or seasonal programming, for example, weekly tai chi meet-ups or monthly arts and crafts workshops. They are scheduled at a specific time and day and repeat for a long period of time. This type of programming will most likely appeal to local neighbourhood audiences, but could appeal to a city-wide audience. Series Programming is medium-scale and happens over a flexible period of time. Perhaps a regular concert series, a community workshop series or a monthly market or festival, and could potentially appeal to a city-wide audience. Event Programming is larger scale, distinctive and could include substantial annual or biennial events. This programming has greater complexity and requires long-term planning and long production lead-times. It may appeal to local, regional and international audiences.


APPROACHES TO PROGRAMMING • Free use of space and infrastructure

• Commissions / Artist fees

• Co-commissions

• Partnerships and co-funding

• Community access


PROGRAMMING MIX CULTURAL HERITAGE Celebrating, challenging and interpreting the site’s Indigenous roots, historical context, architecture, neighbourhood and community diversity, etc. ART & PERFORMANCE artistic and creative expression through murals, installations, sound, music, and performance, etc. RECREATION & LEISURE low impact physical activities and play undertaken for enjoyment, amusement, pleasure and well-being, etc. (rather than organized sport). FOOD & DRINK multi-sensory experiences involving selling, eating and making food and beverages, etc. URBAN SCIENCE & INNOVATION intersection of science, design and big data in solving city planning and socio-economic issues, public realm improvements, etc.


SAMPLE PROGRAMMING - SPRING

SPRING TUNE UP SPRING SOLSTICE EVENT BATTLE OF YORK COMMEMORATION FLOWER MARKET MEAGAN’S WALK TORONTO SPORTING LIFE 10K


PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL URBAN DESIGN INTERVENTION SHOWCASE EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC SERIES

(Please note that these programming ideas are general examples of how the spaces MIGHT be used. We want to hear how YOU would like to use The Bentway for your own programs and initiatives.)

PROGRAMMING ZONES & SUPPORTS


PROGRAMMING ZONES 1. A) STRACHAN GATE Located adjacent to Strachan Avenue, Strachan Gate will act as the primary site for large-scale events. It can be shaped into a variety of configurations based on the needs of presenters. Potential Event Programming activations include: music concerts, film screenings, talks, celebrations, dance performances, large-scale art installations and more. B) STRACHAN GREEN Strachan Green is a lawn adjacent to Strachan Gate and can provide seating for activations at the Gate. It can also be used for other sorts of Regular, Series and Event Programming like pick-up soccer, holiday markets, and more.



PROGRAMMING ZONES 2. FORT CENTRAL ACTIVE AREAS A long corridor at ground level, Fort Central Active Areas is an adaptable and flexible space that could be used for Regular Programming like themed walking tours, food trucks, pick-up basketball or yoga, and/or Series and Event Programming like culinary festivals, site-specific dance performances, art/design installations and more.


PROGRAMMING ZONES 3. SHINGLE BEACH WITH SEASONAL SKATING PATH During the winter this area will become a skating trail and could be used it could be used for Regular Programming like shinny and skating lessons, and Series and Event Programming including, ice dance performances, ice sculpture competitions, winter installations and more. In summer months the area will turn into a water feature and could be used for programming with minimal footprint, including Regular and Series Programming like community workshops or art installations.


PROGRAMMING ZONES 4. SHORELINE PLAZA This is another adaptable and flexible space, which could be used for everything from Regular, Series and Event Programming like flower markets and pop-up bike repair stations, maker fairs, busker and street performances, and could become a site for larger activations. (Please note that these programming ideas are general examples of how the spaces MIGHT be used. We want to hear how YOU would like to use The Bentway for your own programs and initiatives.)


SUBMISSION PROCESS

PROCESS INFO SESSIONS Tuesday, November 8, 3-5PM Thursday, November,17 10AM-12PM PREPARE AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST 1. Complete the Expression of Interest here: thebentway.ca/submit-your-idea. You can also download a hard copy and submit the Expression of Interest by mail. 2. If you wish, you can attach additional materials to provide more context and background, including: • Further information about your programming idea • More information about current programming • Supplementary materials (e.g. an annual report, brochure, newsletter, etc.)


http://thebentway.ca/submit-your-idea





SUBMIT YOUR IDEA YOUR INFORMATION Name, role, address, email, phone number, etc. ABOUT YOU/YOUR ORGANIZATION What is your area of focus, what is your current programming, who is your audience, etc. YOUR IDEA FOR THE BENTWAY Summary of programming idea, how you want to partner, what sort of programming will you provide, where will your programming take place YOUR NEEDS What additional infrastructure/supports will you need? A/V, grey water disposal, parking, on-site green room/storage, etc. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND MATERIALS Add supplementary materials on your idea, about your organization or anything else you wish to share


TIMELINE DECEMBER 2016 The Bentway Conservancy staff and board review all submissions WINTER/SPRING 2017 The Bentway Conservancy reaches out to all interested parties to advance programming for the site LIMITATIONS Please note that this Request for Expressions of Interest is not an application or guarantee of programming partnership. We encourage you to respond so that you have the opportunity to get involved in the project at this early, ground-breaking stage. A submission to this Request for Expressions of Interest does not represent an agreement or contract between the individual artist, arts group or not-for-profit organization and The Bentway, or vice versa, in relation to subsequent processes related to programming partnerships at The Bentway.


Documents

Programming Information: Session One