Re:Inventing Empty Spaces in Oshawa
ReNew Oshawa is a new urban arts initiative inspired by the Renew Newcastle and Empty Spaces programs in Australia which promote short-term reuses of empty shops and spaces for creative and community development.
The objective of ReNew Oshawa is to find artists, cultural projects and community groups to use and maintain these buildings until they become commercially viable or are redeveloped, contributing to the city’s revitalization and providing the tools needed for the arts community to engage in activities.
Renew Newcastle featured on SBS World News on 19 November showing how the Renew model has reached cities from Parramatta to Copenhagen.
The store at 19 Simcoe Street North is currently vacant and as the person responsible for the property I’m looking for an innovative and collaborative way to use the space as a springboard for future projects.
On Wednesday, March 20 at 7:30 pm, come for a quick tour and then join me in conversation next door at Murphy’s to discuss:
- turning the space into a hub for visual and performing artists
- collaborative efforts that can make the project sustainable
- pooling resources to manage costs and generate revenues
- using crowdfunding as a finance tool
- building community engagement and partnerships
- how little lunchtime concerts catalyze change
Who’s behind this? I’m Zal Press, Executive Director of Patient Commando Productions. You can find out more about me by clicking here. You’ll also find me busy currently as a Health Mentor at the U of T Centre for Interprofessional Education, a guest blogger for the Health Council of Canada, and other projects focused on health and community engagement like our Patient Commando Story Studio partnership with the Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival’s Creation Lab.
If you’re interested in exploring innovative ways the arts can contribute to the reinvention of the city then please join me on Wednesday, March 20 at 7:30 pm at 19 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa. We’ll do a tour of the space and then go next door to Murphy’s for the conversation.
RSVP to barbara@patientcommando.com . Patient Commando has graciously offered to buy one round of beer at Murphy’s for the first 10 people who RSVP.