401 Richmond is an artistic hub that occupies the historic warehouse at Richmond & Spadina; lined with string lights and inviting, artistic signage, there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone in this fascinating heritage building. Originally the site of a turn of the century tin lithograph factory, 401 Richmond took over in the 90’s when the city was in a real estate recession, providing an affordable workspace for artists and creative in Toronto.
Tenants of 401 are carefully hand selected, ensuring that rent is always affordable and given to those who need it. For this reason, 401 Richmond stands out from the rest of Toronto, giving a voice and an expressive space to the artists who we otherwise may not have been able to hear from. But the space isn’t restricted to art alone; the over 140 tenants include a performance studio, magazine headquarters, textile makers, and many not-for-profit organizations looking to help anything from the arts to the environment. 401 Richmond blends business and art into an accessible space, providing a viable alternative to the costly artistic scene of Toronto and creating a gathering place for the creative-minded.
So what can you expect from a visit here? Whether it’s a quick errand to grab a last-minute gift or a date night out for a gallery exhibit opening, it’s a way to experience this unique city all under one roof. Looking for the perfect gift for that Torontonian in your life? Spacing offers a wide selection of creative and hand-made gifts, all with a focus on our favourite city. Gallery 44 is home to all things in contemporary photography, providing an environment for relaxation and dialogue for the photography world and all its practices. Take a weekend visit to Tangled Art Gallery to not only surround yourself with artistic endeavours, but support arts in the disabled community through creative passion and artistic excellence. Or simply stroll in during your lunch break to peruse countless artistic galleries like The Red Head Gallery, The TELL, and Abbozzo.
But even behind the closed doors of Richmond 401, creativity and passion thrives in the form of not-for-profits and inspiring entrepreneurs. Inside Out hosts the largest LGBTQ film festival in Canada, drawing over 32,500 to screenings, panels, discussions and installations, all celebrating LBGTQ film initiatives and challenging attitudes through exhibition. Leading the fight of wilderness perseveration in Canada, 401 Richmond holds the offices of Earthroots as they achieve meaningful protection for Ontario’s threatened wildlife and educating the public on these important issues. And bookworms everywhere rejoice for the advocacy efforts of BookNet, who serve the Canadian book industry by developing the technology, standards and education that support libraries and publishers across the country and give easier access to today’s literature.
Businesses like Koyama Press gives artists a voice as they support and promote a wide range of emerging and established artists an their graphic novels, comic books, and zines. And the world of independent audio is bettered by Puppy Machine (who make it clear that they don’t breed dogs, nor are they robots) as they produce sound for film, television and music with mixing, mastering, composition and much more. 401 Richmond is where creative thoughts and business savvy truly come together to create a result that enhances our city as a whole.
These are only a few of the names that call 401 Richmond home and have enriched the Entertainment District as we know it today. Swing by for a gander at some art galleries and a cup of joe at The Roastery as you watch the creative ideas unfold right in front of you.