Ai Weiwei sculptures help skyrocket Nuit Blanche impact (22 photos here)

Anastasia Saradoc —Based on the findings of an Ipsos Reid survey, the economic impact for Toronto generated by Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2013 was calculated to be $39.5 million. The event attracted both local and out-of-town audiences, with an estimated attendance exceeding one million people and including more than 190,000 out-of-town visitors. This is the highest level of tourist attendance yet for the event.”Scotiabank Nuit Blanche continues to put a spotlight on Toronto’s contemporary art scene, with more tourists attending each year,” said Mike Williams, General Manager, Economic Development and Culture. “It is excellent to see what a positive impact this popular event has on our great city both culturally and economically. This year’s addition of the extended projects was an especially successful and well-received initiative.”For the first time, there were six extended projects, allowing Toronto residents and visitors further opportunity to experience some of this year’s highlights, including Ai Weiwei’s Forever Bicycles at Nathan Phillips Square. Ipsos Reid survey results show that hundreds of thousands took advantage of this extension and visited one or more of these projects following the main event on October 5.“It has been incredible to see how the city has embraced Scotiabank Nuit Blanche over the years, helping it grow into a truly remarkable artistic event that also gives back to our city economically,” said John Doig of Scotiabank. “This event means so much to us because it gives people in the community the opportunity to experience a great range of artwork firsthand and we look forward to building on the event’s continued success in 2014.”Nuit Blanche 2013 brought together the exceptional talents of more than 500 artists and curators, dozens of galleries, museums, cultural and educational institutions and neighbourhoods in a collaborative undertaking.

It was the only Canadian cultural experience to be included in Time magazine’s editors’ list of “50 Cultural Experiences to Try in 2014,” coming in at number 19. Field Day‘s second annual Toronto entertainment survey, released this month, listed the event in its top three All-Time Favourite Festivals, Fairs & Events.

Toronto’s Now weekly readers recently chose Nuit Blanche as the Best Free Cultural Happening in its annual Best Of poll. This is the sixth year in a row that the event has come out on top in one of Now’s Best Of poll categories. Ipsos Reid survey results also showed that repeat attendance continues to grow and that most attendees feel the event gets better every year.

“The diverse and exceptional lineup of artists showcased this year surpassed the expectations of the Nuit Blanche Advisory Committee,” said Dr. Sara Diamond, President and Vice Chancellor, OCAD University. “We look to the curators and artists for 2014 with great anticipation. Their imaginative exhibitions and projects are certain to entice and engage audiences of all ages.”

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2014

Planning is well underway for the ninth edition of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2014. Curators Denise Markonish (North Adams, Massachusetts), Dominique Fontaine (Montreal), Heather Pesanti (Austin, Texas) and Magda Gonzalez-Mora (Toronto) were selected by the Advisory Committee earlier this year and are now working with artists on their creative visions for the 2014 exhibitions.

There are two ways artists can submit their project ideas for the 2014 event: through the Open Call Projects or Independent Projects. Key deadlines are fast approaching.

Open Call Projects

The City-produced exhibitions include Open Call Projects, which give the public an opportunity to apply to be part of the event. They are selected by a curator in consultation with the City of Toronto. Funding and production support is provided. The Open Call submission deadline is December 9.

Independent Projects

Each year the event also features self-funded installations created by galleries, schools, neighbourhoods, community organizations or individual artists. The Independent Projects submission deadline is February 14, 2014.

Applications are now being accepted for 2014 Open Call Projects. Applications for 2014 Independent Projects will be available by November 27. Details on submissions for both can be found at http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/snb/ and information will also be available in person at the following sessions:

Open Call Projects information sessions:

• Thursday, November 21, Metro Hall, 55 John St., Room 308, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, November 27, City Hall, 100 Queen St. W., 2nd Floor, Committee Room 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Independent Projects information session:

• Thursday, January 16, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W., 2nd Floor, Committee Room 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

About Scotiabank Nuit Blanche

It’s Toronto’s annual all-night celebration of contemporary art, produced by the City of Toronto in collaboration with Toronto’s arts community. Since 2006, the event has featured more than 950 official art installations, created by nearly 4,000 artists and has generated more than $177 million in economic impact for Toronto. Look for updates at http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca, on Facebook at facebook.com/sbnuitblancheTO and Twitter at @sbnuitblancheTO, #snbTO.

From Scotiabank

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at http://www.scotiabank.com.

Off to a Flying Start
Curated by Ami Barak