In Part II of Toronto 2010: The city in 3.5 years, we examine the changes to the Arts and Entertainment facilities of Toronto.

So let's face it, Toronto does not have a global reputation as being a leader or centre for the Arts as say New York, Paris or London. Toronto's contribution to the field of Arts and Entertainment goes largely unnoticed. However, when we take a closer look at some of the recent and upcoming contributions, Toronto is a lot closer than you may think.

In the field of dance, the recently renovated National Ballet School of Canada located on Jarvis Street in Toronto, is recognized as one of the world's foremost ballet schools and produces some of the top ballet talent in North America. The building housing the National Ballet School (as pictured above) also makes a significant impact on its surrounding environment, and it widely acclaimed as an architectural gem.

In the world of mainstream musicals, the Phantom of the Opera had its longest and most successful run in Toronto. Cats, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and Rent also had very successfuly runs in Toronto. More recently, Toronto was chosen to debut the recently released and high profile musical Lord of the Rings (directed by two time Tony nominee Matthew Warchus).

And in the film industry, The Toronto's International Film Festival is the largest in North America and arguably sits only behind Cannes (and perhaps Sundance) as the most prestigious in the world, attracting large crowds not only from Hollywood, but from around the world.

Toronto's contribution is credited to it being one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, hosting the traditions, values, and music of these cutures which allow the creative mind to flow.

And In 2010, as Toronto's population and diversity grows, so does its profile in the field of Arts. Slated to be completed by the year 2010, are the Canadian Opera House, the Film Festival Tower, and the redesign and expansions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), and the Hummingbird Centre.

Canadian Opera House

Scheduled for its grand opening next month, the Canadian Opera House is just about complete. A legitimate Opera house is something Toronto never really had until now. The new Opera House was constructed on a tight and modest budget with the emphasis on on the interior experience (superior sound, acoustics, etc). It hopes to make its impact with what counts, the musical experience.




Film Festival Tower

At the heart of the theatre district at King and John, the proposed Film Festival Tower will consolidate the Film Festival and bring a visual face as well as a geographic home base for the Festival, something despite its success, it currently does not have. As well as the Film Festival offices, the building will have five theatres, a film reference library, a gallery, exhibition space, an education centre and a luxury condominium tower. In combination with the several residential condos and the Ritz Carlton (as mentioned in Part 1 of Toronto 2010) being constructed right around the corner from this building, the theatre district will be a much denser and purposeful in 2010.




ROM Royal Ontario Museum

A few years back, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) decided to do a dramatic dual purpose make-over of their building: to add more space, and to make a visually impactful building (i.e. like say, Guggenheim) . They chose renowed architect Daniel Libeskind (best known for his New York Freedom Tower design) to come up with an attention grabbing concept. And the design, called the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal is certainly acheving this goal. Renovation is well under way, and will be completed in 2008.




AGO Art Gallery of Ontario

"New Art, New Building, New Ideas, New Future". This is the motto of the new Art Gallery of Ontario. Like the ROM, the Art Gallery of Ontario began renovating their current building with the same goal in mind, to expand (by adding 47% more gallery space, 2000 more pieces of art, a restaurant and a cafe), and to make a visual impact(by hiring Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry). The new AGO expects to be completed by the year 2008.



Hummingbird Centre

Although it is doubtful that it will be completed by 2010, it is important to also mention the proposed redesign of the Hummingbird Centre (located on the corner of Yonge and Front). Architect Daniel Libeskind (architect of the ROM) was also chosen to design the new tower, and he has gone with a bold modern design which like it or not, will stand out and change the area.

The Hummingbird Centre also hopes to create a culture centre to celebrate the diversity of Canada
called the Arts and Heritage Awareness Centre.



We should note that there are also other efforts underway which also contribute to the field of arts (the renovation of the Royal Conservatory of Music for example, and the brand new Distillery District, a thriving area with theatres, galleries and artist friendly residences).

It is encouraging to see that the arts and entertainment sector of Toronto is keeping pace with the growth of the rest of the city and it not being neglected. It is also encouraging to see an emphasis on the architectural statements that these buildings will make in the urban landscape of the city.