The Avenue Road Arts School is a small private arts school for artists of all ages. It is situated in an abandoned Victorian house in midtown Toronto, occupying the entire building. The Avenue Road arts school is a good example of a successful community building.
The services offered at the school enrich the neighbourhood by providing a place to gather as well as promoting the community itself. Pieces created at the school are often displayed at other neighbourhood establishments further emphasizing the importance the school has on its surroundings.
Built in an existing historic building, the school has a very hand on feeling, encouraging creativity and use. One is drawn in to the school by its colourful façade, clad with many projects created by former students.
The Avenue Road Arts school is not architecturally innovative by any standard. The simple renovations that were done to convert the building were minimal, maintaining the house?s original charm and details. This building is not a precedent because of any method of architectural solution. It is selected because of the success the school has had in the community. It is a good model for involving the local community. The Avenue Road Arts School is helping bring art into their community and city. A successful media campaign (web site and print material) further this effort by recruiting new artists from other communities and even countries.
The Avenue Road Arts School is providing an important service. With so many cuts (in Ontario) to art education, the Avenue Road School is taking a stand. After all in the words of Lola Rasminsky, the school director:
from http://www.avenueroadartsschool.com/
Inside one of the studio spaces, the whimsical transformation of a washroom and the combination of the old stair with a code compliant wall
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