SPRE 103: Exploring Cultural Land Trusts

ArtsBuild Ontario

What exactly are cultural land trusts, and what solutions might they offer to preserve and nurture cultural spaces?

Community land trusts (CLTs) are more widely recognized for affordable housing, however cultural land trusts offer unique opportunities for the arts and culture sector. But what exactly are cultural land trusts, and what solutions might they offer to preserve and nurture cultural spaces?Building on the foundational concepts explored in SPRE 102: Owning, Renting, and Community Land Trusts, this webinar delves into the emerging model of cultural land trusts. Participants will gain valuable insights from key experts and leaders, including representatives from the Community and Cultural Spaces Trust (Toronto), Toronto Chinatown Land Trust, and the Artist Space Trust (California).Through this engaging session, cultural land trust advocates will share their experiences in founding and developing cultural land trusts, with a focus on the critical aspects of community engagement and long-term sustainability. A moderated Q&amp;A session, led by Erika Hennebury, Senior Cultural Affairs Officer, City of Toronto, will provide further opportunities for dialogue and learning.Whether you're an advocate for preserving cultural spaces or a community leader exploring land acquisition models to empower your community, this webinar will equip you with essential tools for safeguarding cultural landscapes through the cultural land trust model.About the presenters:Meg Shiffler is the inaugural director of <a href="https://www.artistspacetrust.org/" title="https://www.artistspacetrust.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Artist Space Trust (AST)</a>, the first Community Land Trust in the US solely devoted to building and stewarding permanently affordable housing and creative space for artists. Shiffler comes to AST with extensive experience as an executive leader in the arts, contemporary art curator and educator, and community builder. She has launched innovative programs in collaboration with diverse community partners for nonprofit organizations, municipal arts programs and commercial galleries. Shiffler believes that healthy cities and culturally vibrant communities are only possible when the holistic wellness of artists and culture-bearers is prioritized.Chiyi Tam (she/her) is an urban planner and anti-displacement organizer practicing in Tkaronto's Kensington-Chinatown neighbourhood. Chiyi is the managing director of the recently established T<a href="https://chinatownlandtrust.ca/" title="https://chinatownlandtrust.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">oronto Chinatown Land Trust</a>. She was recognised as an Early Career Canadian Urban Leader by School of Cities. Her goal is to reciprocate knowledge and wealth into community ownership. She was the first staff and executive director of the Kensington Market Community Land Trust, where she acquired the organization’s first building acquisition. Chiyi serves on the advisory board of Montreal Chinatown’s JIA Foundation, BC’s Union Cooperative Initiative, and the board of the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts.Alycia Shanika (she/her/they) MScPl, BCom, is an urban and cultural planner, strategist, engagement specialist, and artist. Alycia’s practice is informed by systems thinking, research, culturally responsive policymaking and co-design. She serves on the board of the <a href="https://www.communityculturalspacestrust.ca/" title="https://www.communityculturalspacestrust.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Community &amp; Cultural Space Trust</a> (CCST) as Network Mobilization Lead, makes ceramics, and is the author-creator of her publication ‘Future Diasporas: Culture, Art, Identity, Space'.Hannah Fleisher is an urban planner with experience in community and strategic planning for non-profit and charitable organizations in the social service and housing sectors, as well as real estate development and commercial transactions in the public sector. She is passionate about public engagement, equitable neighbourhoods, and inclusive decision making. Hannah joined the founding Board of <a href="https://www.communityculturalspacestrust.ca/" title="https://www.communityculturalspacestrust.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Community &amp; Cultural Spaces Trust</a> (CCST) in 2022 and also currently serves on the Board of Building A Better Bloor Dufferin.Erika Hennebury is a queer artist, arts worker, and planner. She is a Senior Cultural Affairs Officer and co-lead for the City of Toronto’s Office for Cultural Space, Economic Development and Culture Division. Erika is a Registered Professional Planner, Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, and holds a Masters in Environmental Studies, Planning (York University, Faculty of Environmental Studies and Urban Change) with a major research focus on community land trusts. She also holds certificates in Municipal Cultural Planning and Development from UBC, and in Real Estate from Urban Land Institute. Erika has worked as an independent artist, artistic producer, programmer, and as a funder. Before joining the City in 2022, Erika was a Strategic Programs Manager at Toronto Arts Council, working to open up City-owned spaces for artists. Erika recently contributed a chapter on cultural community land trusts for the Handbook of Urban Cultural Planning, recently published by Routledge, and an article on Community and Cultural Spaces Trust, Toronto’s first Cultural CLT, for Spacing. Erika is a member of Planners Network and an associate member of the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts.To stay informed about SPRE offerings and how to access them, <a href="https://artsbuildontario.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=09d2264bad9fd9ce6f38cd059&amp;id=669b4f7860" title="https://artsbuildontario.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=09d2264bad9fd9ce6f38cd059&amp;id=669b4f7860" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">sign up for our newsletter.</a> Module registration will be first-come, first-served. Registration links will be posted to this webpage, as well as shared on our social media accounts and the ABO Eventbrite.We acknowledge the financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

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SPRE 103: Exploring Cultural Land Trusts

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