Artscape Daniels Launchpad is Ready for Take Off
Toronto creatives can now rejoice – Artscape will soon open another location, allowing for more entrepreneurs to congregate together and get innovative with new projects.
Artscape Daniels Launchpad is the new 30,000 sq. ft. space on the 4th floor of Daniels Waterfront. The collaborative workspace operates by addressing the needs of aspiring entrepreneurs lacking access and resources to turn their ideas into realities. The centre offers facilities, programs, services and support tailored to help artists and designers thrive.
The unique investor model, allows for the space to be self-sustaining once member fees have been paid. The space is committed to aligning values with work ethic and aims to transform communities.
Artscape Daniels Launchpad Managing Director Karim Rahemtulla is ready for Torontonians to experience the space for themselves. Get the low down on how this Artscape location will continue to foster creativity and team building.
What are some of the exciting facilities or amenities housed inside Artscape Daniels Launchpad? How is Artscape Daniels Launchpad different than other incubators in Toronto?
I wouldn’t say we’re an incubator. Artscape Daniels Launchpad is Toronto’s newest hub for creative collaboration and entrepreneurship designed to empower emerging and established artists, designers and creators to build a prosperous career. What we have is a unique concept. You’ll find other spaces that offer some of what we do, but not all under one roof and not specifically designed for the needs of creative entrepreneurs. This 30,000 sq. ft. hub brings together specialized co-working facilities and creative and technical studios featuring state-of-the-art equipment. We also offer entrepreneurial skills programs, workshops and events – all within a diverse, supportive community providing a variety of coaching, mentoring, wayfinding services, resources, as well as business opportunities.
Other amenities include a fully loaded Digital Media Lab (VFX, sound recording, edit suites, photography studio, green room); a computer lab and print shop.
Launchpad also offers 4800 sq. ft. of premium event space, meeting and performance spaces for showcasing creative talent. Plus, members have preferred access to 1000 sq. ft. of rentable meeting space.
Many artists are used to working solo in their private studio, and often feel naturally isolated from other creatives. At Launchpad, they can be part of a community, working alongside one another and getting inspired by and learning from their peers across a wide variety of creative disciplines. We want to encourage experimentation and innovation, but also help members navigate some of the real challenges they personally face in making a sustainable career in the arts.
Why was this site chosen as Artscape Daniels Launchpad location?
Artscape has a longstanding history of collaboration with The Daniels Corporation. We partnered with them on the development of Daniels Spectrum five years ago, as well as on a number of other projects. They were very interested in bringing art to the waterfront through a new building development called Daniels Waterfront – City of the Arts, so the partnership to develop Artscape Daniels Launchpad as part of that vision was a great fit.
What is the process involved in selecting what creatives to support? What type of creative industry would benefit most?
Launchpad is built for all artists, designers and creators across a broad range of creative disciplines—in fact to qualify as a member you need to identify with one of the 19 National Occupational Classification codes. You also must be pursuing a creative practice and want to grow it into a career. The studios were designed to address a needs gap in Toronto by offering access to expensive or hard-to-get equipment, and that would encourage cross-pollination and collaboration.
How did you get involved with Artscape Daniels Launchpad? What makes the initiative important to you?
Working with Artscape in this capacity is a natural extension of growing up as entrepreneur and working in the arts and culture sector globally. Culture has the ability to bind communities, and support of cultural interests is important to the health of a society.
Before working at Artscape Daniels you developed a strong skill-set in change management through working at the Aga Khan Museum, and later with Chispa Consulting. What transferable skills are you using most in your current role? Does this surprise you?
Most of my work has been in the start-up phase, at the intersection of design, operations and programming. I enjoy building teams and bringing a project to light.
How did Artscape Daniels become connected to La Mar Taylor of HXOUSE? Where did the idea for “No More Dreams” come from? How does it differ from services at Artscape Daniels Launchpad?
They reached out to us last year when word of the Launchpad project began to spread. As aspiring young artists who grew up in Scarborough, they experienced the same kinds of challenges and struggles that artists face today. The HXOUSE x Launchpad program aims to accelerate the creative careers of young artists, especially those in underserved communities, by providing access to learning, networking, funds, production and partnership opportunities.
How will you measure the success of Artscape Daniels Launchpad? What is the biggest goal for the organization?
We want Launchpad members to realize their goals while they’re here, and eventually move on from Launchpad altogether. Their success will be an indication of ours.
Interested in a membership or booking a tour to see the space for yourself? Visit artscapedanielslaunchpad.com for all the details. Follow their Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to get the latest updates on what’s happening next.
