Hello! Vikki Velenosi here, founder of Space Space Revolution (that’s GusGus with me there in the photo). For over a decade, I have been so, so proud to keep low-cost art space open in Toronto for anyone and everyone who has a mighty idea and a tiny budget. In 2012, I started this company by creating a rehearsal space out of my living room and eventually turned it into a 50 seat black-box theatre (The Box Toronto.) Since then, I’ve hosted thousands of artists in half-a-dozen spaces, all across the city and helped hundreds of self-producing artists through the process of auditions, readings, filming, rehearsals, photoshoots, performances, and everything in-between.
The pandemic has…uh…sucked? (I know. Understatement of the decade.) Due to the mandated shut downs, inadequate government support, and so many projects being put on hold, many art spaces were forced to close, forever. I had to close the largest of our locations; The Commons Theatre and Studio. Saying goodbye was a devastating blow, but it was the only way to could conserve our resources and stay afloat. Luckily, these efforts were not in vain. This fantastic Toronto arts community is resilient and has continued to create art when it has been allowed and safe. The Attic Studio is still standing and ready to help incubate your newest idea in the wonderful and vibrant Leslieville neighbourhood.
Confession time: I have always said “we” when talking about the company, even when it was a one (wo)man show. I always felt silly admitting I was small and solo. But, truthfully, my greatest strength and secret to keeping prices low has always been to run almost everything myself, remotely, and automate as much of the process as possible. Of course, now I also have our venue manager, the fantastic and irreplaceable, Murphy! Unfortunately, as I write this, Murphy and I have been 99% volunteer for more than 2 years. When we were mandated to be shut down, the full cost of the lease continued to come due every month. Every government support we qualified for has still not been enough to cover the rent and utilities.
“Then why do it?” Well, simply put, if we were in it for the money, none of us would be here, would we? We both believe that artists are vital to the community and we have all come too far to give up now. This is where membership comes in! It allows us to make sure our efforts are put to good use and meaningful art is being created and gives us an extra cushion to make sure that we can keep it going for years to come.
Bonus: Membership allows us to make sure that only kind, responsible people use our space so you don’t walk in to someone’s disrespectful mess. WIN WIN!
A membership ensures the following:
1) Our rentable studio and performance space relies completely on its community. Membership allows us to cultivate a community that is respectful, positive and driven.
2) Creating a Safer Space has never been a bigger priority for Space Space Revolution and for the community at large. Previously, there was little way for us to hold people accountable for their actions. Membership allows us to take back some control over who is permitted to use the space so that the space can be kept welcoming, neat and tidy!
3) A paid premium membership allows us to pool resources to bring you more benefits.
4) Membership allows us to expand: when we approach landlords about new locations, their first question is about who will be using the space. They worry about who will be coming and going. With a membership, we have the ability to streamline this process and create more attractive offers to landlords, which, in turn, keeps our costs low and your prices low.
5) Membership creates a sense of community and allows us to more easily leverage each other's knowledge and networks. It’s like one big team!