About TMAC
TMAC is a new permanent home for Toronto’s media arts organizations, and an accessible public space for art, creation and collaboration in the Queen West Triangle.
In the heart of Toronto’s Art and Design District, TMAC is a diverse and collaborative environment where everyone can engage meaningfully with art and technology. TMAC integrates creation, production, presentation, education, conservation and dissemination practices and with a focus on community building and inclusivity.
With year-round arts and cultural programming, open lab studios, equipment libraries, coworking and social areas, we provide the tools, space and freedom to play with art, media and new technologies–including film, animation, videogames, audio and sound, video, robotics, electronics and more.
Governance
TMAC is managed by a board of directors comprised of one representative from each member organization, and two community stakeholders representing the local neighborhood and the broader Toronto media arts community. TMAC currently has no staff, and is 100% volunteer-run.
Each member organization has its own workspace, some with offices and classrooms, others with a gallery or film vault. Each member organization takes an active role in our collective programming: Supporting users of the exhibition spaces; promoting TMAC; and developing a sustainable, equitable model for a collaborative centre that supports our artistic, cultural, and community-based mandate.
History
Read about our dispute with the City of Toronto and Urbancorp over the facility.
TMAC grew out of grassroots community support and in response to a need for an accessible and affordable centre dedicated to media art and technology.
The idea for TMAC was first conceptualized in 2003, after almost 15 years of organizing. TMAC incorporated in 2011 and attained charitable status in 2013. Today, TMAC has organically grown into an integrated collaborative organization supporting its members, the West Queen West community, and all of Toronto’s media artists and artist-run centres.
In 2014, with the support of the local community, City staff, Active 18 and Councillor Ana Bailão, TMAC, Urbancorp and the City of Toronto finalized an agreement that would provide the Edge on Triangle Park condominium a density bonus in exchange for a turnkey, purpose-built, 38,000 sq. ft. facility for TMAC.
We moved into our facility in March 2018, and are currently occupying our space on an interim basis as we conclude our litigation against the City of Toronto and Urbancorp.
Facility
Our multi-purpose facility offers shared spaces and amenities including:
- Community gathering and event spaces overlooking Lisgar Park
- Classrooms for public talks, workshops, screenings, festivals and events
- Meeting rooms seating up to 14
- Coworking spaces for film festival and studio staff
- Shared resource and equipment libraries
- A temperature- and humidity–controlled film vault and archive
- Technical and production facilities
- Four public galleries and exhibition spaces
- Santo Pecado Café @ TMAC serving coffee, pastries and lunch daily
- A 210-seat theatre designed by renowned architect Peter Smith, for screening independent and experimental works
- Studio apartment for visiting artist residencies
