Call it a basement with big ambitions.
On Monday night, more than 150 artistically-minded Torontonians packed the lower level of 887 Yonge St., one of the city’s newest supportive housing sites.
It was opening night for the Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre — a brand new 65,000 square foot venue in the basement of the building.
In the coming years, the new centre will host opera performances, theatre shows and workshops. The newly-renovated space includes a large performance hall, a smaller studio, offices for staff, a box office and a bar.
Executives with Nightwood Theatre and Tapestry Opera, the two new anchor tenants, told TorontoToday they’re optimistic the venue can help revive the city’s struggling arts scene.
But the building’s landlord said she has an additional goal in mind.
Andrea Adams, executive director of non-profit affordable housing organization St. Clare’s said she hopes the new venue will prevent future "NIMBYism."
NIMBY — an acronym for “not in my back yard” — is a term used to describe resident opposition to a local project.
On Monday night, Adams told the assembled patrons that the new venue will help show that when affordable housing comes to town, it brings the potential for new arts and culture spaces — not crime or drugs.
“In this vision of the city, we don't have to choose between beauty and housing,” she told the crowd. “In this vision of the city, we change the conversation about affordable housing by demonstrating that addressing housing and homelessness lifts a neighbourhood.”
Does NIMBYism cost money?
Adams told TorontoToday that when the city purchased 877 Yonge Street for the supportive housing project, some residents pushed back.
Some locals were concerned that residents of the new building would increase drug use in the area, said Adams.
“People arrived at the public consultations to say things that were very cruel and misinformed,” she said. “We take the position that [those comments] are just a matter of [needing] education. We took it in stride.”
Despite the opposition, the supportive housing project moved forward and is now home to 244 people, including women, disabled people, Indigenous people, and others experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Though the project succeeded, Adams added that when residents push-back on building affordable or supportive housing projects, it can add costs and delays.
NIMBY-ism “costs so much money,” she said. “Every delay in construction [costs] thousands and even millions of dollars.”
Becoming a ‘hub’ for diverse residents
Jaime Martino, Tapestry Opera’s executive director, said the staff behind the new arts venue are working hard to welcome building residents and local neighbours into the new space.
Martino said that a number of the building’s residents, artists themselves, have expressed excitement about the venue.
She said Nightwood Theatre and Tapestry Opera are in discussion about how to ensure performances are affordable for residents, exploring the potential for each performance or concert series to have a block of free tickets.
As for relations with the neighbours, things appear to be off to a good start.
Local councillor Diane Saxe secured considerable funding for the centre from the city and local developers.
On Monday night, she celebrated with the crowd what a “great space” had been created with the launch of the new venue.
Yorkville residents’ association ABC also contributed funds toward the facility’s $5 million renovation and start-up budget.
Upcoming shows from Nightwood and Tapestry
At the basement facility, it’s all systems go.
On Saturday night, Tapestry Opera will host a launch concert and party. Soon after, the space will host performances by the Canadian Children’s Opera Company.
Nightwood Theatre’s first performance is a workshop production called the “Where the Spirits Sit,” running from April 3 to 5.
On Monday night, Adams expressed optimism about the new venue’s future.
“In an environment of scarcity, we need to raise each other up,” she said.