December 5, 2016
The City of Toronto has announced the economic impact of Nuit Blanche Toronto 2016, Toronto's free annual all-night celebration of contemporary art. Produced by the City of Toronto in collaboration with Toronto's arts community, Nuit Blanche 2016 transformed the city on October 1 with the talents of more than 300 local, national and international artists and curators. Initial details for 2017 are also being announced at this time.
Based on the findings of an Ipsos Reid survey, Nuit Blanche Toronto 2016 attracted an estimated attendance of more than one million people, including about 205,000 out-of-town visitors, and generated an economic impact of $43 million for Toronto.
"Once again, this event provided both casual and devoted art lovers an accessible and unique experience," said Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic Development Committee. "Nuit Blanche Toronto continues to be a world-renowned event that provides a substantial boost to tourism in our city."
Hosted in partnership with Tourism Toronto, Nuit Blanche attracted media from key markets such as China and Latin America as well as from across Canada.
Extended projects gave Toronto residents and visitors a further opportunity to experience the exhibition "OBLIVION," curated by Michael Prokopow and Janine Marchessault, featuring: "Death of the Sun" by Director X, "Pneuma" by Floria Sigismondi, and the H&M sponsored project "Ocean" by Philip Beesley. The extension was possible with support from the Province through Celebrate Ontario, the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund and Tourism Toronto.
The Ipsos Reid survey results show that approximately 300,000 people took advantage of the extension, visiting one or more of these projects after the main event until October 10.
Nuit Blanche Toronto 2017
Planning is well underway for the 12th edition of Nuit Blanche Toronto on Saturday, September 30, 2017. As next year marks Canada's 150th birthday, the 2017 event will feature an overarching theme focusing on this major milestone in Canada's history as a nation, entitled "Nuit Blanche 2017: Many Possible Futures." All participating Nuit Blanche Toronto 2017 curators will be responding to the many possible futures of Canada in their curatorial visions, working with artists to address notions of identity and nationhood.
Curators were selected by the Nuit Blanche Toronto Artistic Advisory Committee earlier this year and they are now in the process of working with artists to develop their exhibitions. The 2017 curators are Barbara Fischer (Toronto, CA) with "Taking to the Streets – For a Possible Future," Clara Halpern (Toronto, CA) with "Calculating Upon the Unforeseen," Maria Hupfield (Brooklyn/Toronto, USA/CA) with "Life On Neebahgeezis: A Luminous Engagment," Nato Thompson (New York, USA) with "A Monument for 100 years of Revolution" and Karen Alexander (London, UK) with "Dream Time: We All Have Stories."
“The Nuit Blanche Toronto Artistic Advisory Committee felt 2016 was among the top years of the event and we are pleased to see the survey results indicate the same from the audience," said Dr. Sara Diamond, President and Vice Chancellor, OCAD University. "Expectations are already high for next year with a stellar line-up of curators confirmed."
Artists can participate in the 2017 event by submitting their project ideas in two ways: through the Open Call Project program or the Independent Project program. Key deadlines are fast approaching.
Open Call Project program
This year, the Open Call Project program will give up to four artists the opportunity to be part of two City-produced exhibitions. Curators Fischer and Alexander will select up to four submissions in consultation with the City of Toronto. Funding and production support is provided. Applications are now being accepted for the Open Call Project program. Application details and forms can be found at toronto.ca/nbto. The Open Call Project program submission deadline is Monday, December 19, 2016.
Independent Project program
Each year the event features self-funded installations presented by galleries, schools, neighbourhoods, community organizations and individual artists. Applications are now being accepted for the Independent Project program. Application details and forms can be found at toronto.ca/nbto. The Independent Project program submission deadline is Monday, February 6, 2017.
About Nuit Blanche Toronto
Nuit Blanche Toronto is the city's annual all-night celebration of contemporary art, produced by the City of Toronto in collaboration with Toronto’s arts community. Since 2006, this award-winning event has featured almost 1,400 art installations by approximately 4,900 artists and has generated over $311 million in economic impact for Toronto. Nuit Blanche
Toronto is part of a 10-day program that includes the Nuit Talks series and Extended Projects. Look for information and updates at nbto.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/nuitblancheTO, Twitter at @nuitblancheTO, Instagram at @nuitblancheTO and Snapchat at nuitblancheTO. The event hashtag for 2017 is #nbTO17.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Anastasia Saradoc, Economic Development & Culture, 416-392-8123, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
