Theatre companies open new centre after being forced to vacate former space in Toronto

Toronto just got a brand new performance centre dedicated to accessibility to the arts in the heart of the city.

The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre is an initiative between Tapestry Opera, Nightwood Theatre, and St. Clare’s Housing. It’s centred within walking distance of five different Toronto neighbourhoods and two TTC subway stations.

Tapestry and Nightwood first joined forces when they moved into Artscape Distillery District Studios together in 2002, but 20 years later they were forced to vacate their space along with many other artists and arts organizations.

The new performance centre was designed by Hilditch Architects with sustainability and accessibility in mind.

There will be all kinds of programming at the new centre like theatre, dance, opera and interdisciplinary performance, and there will also be artist residencies and workshops.

“Finding a home and a sense of belonging is vital in these challenging times, not only for Nightwood Theatre and Tapestry Opera, but for the many artists and audiences that will walk through the doors at The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre,” says Andrea Donaldson, Artistic Director, Nightwood Theatre. “We need spaces in Toronto that intentionally reach out for people to gather, that allow for creative dreaming, bold action, and courageous expression.”

“As tenants of St. Clare’s—Canada’s largest developer of supportive not-for-profit mixed income housing—we share their belief that everyone deserves a home and furthermore, that everyone deserves access to creativity and cultural experiences,” says Nightwood’s Managing Director Naz Afsahi. “Nightwood, Tapestry, and St. Clare’s are proving that collaboration means we can achieve more together than on our own.”

“Creating new performing arts spaces that are affordable for artists and independent companies became a high priority for us, and it is thrilling to see that dream realized,” says Tapestry Opera Artistic Director Michael Hidetoshi Mori. “At the same time we are thrilled to provide a new venue where locals and all Torontonians can experience some of Toronto’s most dynamic music, theatre, opera, and dance artists.”

Jaime Martino, Tapestry Executive Director, says that the “partnership with Nightwood and St. Clare’s have made this ambitious venture possible, and proven the value of working together and thinking outside the box in these changing times.”

The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre is now open in the lower level of the St. Clare’s Housing building at 877 Yonge St.