News Release
November 9, 2010
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche announces economic impact, invites applications for 2011
Following the success of the fifth annual Scotiabank Nuit Blanche last month, the City of Toronto today announced the 2010 event’s economic impact and the Scotiabank People’s Choice winners, as well as the 2011 curatorial team and call for artist submissions.
Once again the event proved to be enormously popular with both local and out-of-town audiences. Nearly one million people attended, including close to 140,000 out-of-town visitors. Based on results from an Ipsos Reid survey, the economic impact of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2010 was calculated to be $34.7 million with an additional $4.4 million spillover impact for the Province of Ontario – a 48 per cent increase over 2009.
“After five successful years, it’s clear that large cultural events like Scotiabank Nuit Blanche provide a great benefit for both the residents of the city and for the local arts community,” said Rita Davies, Executive Director of Culture for the City of Toronto. “An event of this scale puts Toronto on the map globally as a cultural tourism destination and strongly positions us as a creative hub internationally.”
The 2010 Scotiabank People’s Choice winners, announced today, include the following three projects:
Exhibition Project: Aurora, 2010 – Philip Beesley Architect Inc., Toronto
Open Call Project: XXIX, 2010 – Laurel MacDonald, Toronto
Independent Project: Flux and Fire – Christine Irving & Site3 coLaboratory, Toronto
“Art matters – it makes a difference and needs to be nurtured and supported, and for five years now, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche has reminded us of the incredible richness that art brings into our lives,” said Duncan Hannay, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Canadian Marketing. “The Scotiabank People’s Choice is our way of thanking the artists who help make Scotiabank Nuit Blanche as unforgettable as it is. Scotiabank is proud to be a part of this incredible evening, and we are looking forward to the next four years as title sponsor of the event.”
City staff are hard at work preparing for the 2011 Scotiabank Nuit Blanche. Curators Candice Hopkins, Nicholas Brown and Shirley Madill were selected by the Nuit Blanche Advisory Committee last spring and are already well into the planning stages of choosing artists and putting forth their creative visions for each exhibition area. As in previous years, the event program will include a mix of City-produced Exhibition and Open-Call projects, as well as Independent Projects that will transform Toronto’s streets with a diverse array of installations on Saturday, October 1, 2011.
Applications are now being accepted for Open-Call and Independent Projects.
The City-produced exhibition includes Open Call projects, smaller scale works produced specifically for the event. They are selected by a curator in consultation with the City of Toronto to work within the theme of the curatorial vision in each of the City-produced exhibition areas. Funding and production support is provided.
Open Call submission deadline: December 15, 2010.
Each year’s event also features close to 100 independent projects consisting of self-funded new or existing installations created by schools, neighbourhoods, community organizations, galleries or individual artists. Selected projects are chosen by the Nuit Blanche Artistic Advisory Committee and showcase the diversity of Toronto’s arts community throughout the city.
Independent Project submission deadline: February 15, 2011.
Information sessions
The City of Toronto will host two identical Scotiabank Nuit Blanche information sessions this month to provide details about the submission process for Open Call and Independent Project applicants. Interested artists, venues and BIAs are encouraged to attend.
This is a great opportunity to learn more, ask questions, share ideas and meet other artists and event organizers.
Tuesday, November 23, Metro Hall, Room 308/309, 6 to 9 p.m.
Tuesday, November 30, City Hall, Committee Room 2, 6 to 9 p.m.
Visit http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca and click on 2011 Call for Artist Submissions for more information.
Toronto’s Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is an annual all-night celebration of contemporary art produced by the City of Toronto in collaboration with Toronto’s arts community. It has been honoured with the prestigious Urban Leadership Award and the Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Award, and was named ‘Best Free Event’ in the 2010 NOW Magazine Reader’s Poll.
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2009 the Bank provided about $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. For more information the public can visit www.scotiabank.com.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto’s government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.