Securing the Neoliberal City: Discourses of Creativity and Priority Neighborhoods in Toronto, Canada

Abstract

This paper examines the convergence between the discourse of the creative city and the discourse on priority neighborhoods within urban policy imaginaries in Toronto, Canada. In particular, it examines the development of a number of arts programs targeted at low-income neighborhoods in the city. The twin objectives of these programs are to (a) foster creative and entrepreneurial subjectivities among “at-risk” youth, and (b) reduce the risk of violence that is presumed to be associated with youths living in poor neighborhoods. The paper analyzes how these two discourses are intertwined in a neoliberal politics devoted to enhancing regional quality-of-life competitiveness and to branding Toronto as an attractive creative-class destination. [Key words: creative city, poverty, low-income neighborhoods, neoliberalism, Toronto.]

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the participants who shared their experiences of community arts programs with us, and Eleanor Rae for research assistance. We would also like to thank Richard Shearmur, Elvin Wyly and the reviewers for the extremely helpful comments and suggestions which greatly improved the paper. The authors also wish to thank Meric Gertler and David Wolfe for providing funding through the MCRI/SSHRC Grant, The Social Dynamics of Economic Change.

Notes

² This agenda dominated urban policy-making from 2003 until 2010. A more conservative mayor was elected in 2010. Thus far, the new mayor, Rob Ford, shows little interest in creativity and the arts (McLean, 2010). The priority neighborhoods agenda is also at-risk of neglect under his government.

³ We do not explore the impacts of these programs on youths themselves or their success in enhancing employment prospects or reducing crime.

⁴ In this paper, we draw mainly on the interviews with City officials and those working with community arts organizations.

⁵ Initially, nine priority neighborhoods were identified. This was later expanded to 13 neighborhoods: Jamestown, Jane-Finch, Malvern, Kingston-Galloway, Lawrence Heights, Steeles-L'Amoreaux, Eglinton East-Kennedy Park, Crescent Town, Weston-Mt Dennis, Dorset Park, Scarborough Village, Flemington Park-Victoria Village, and Westminster-Branson.

⁶ In 2012, the City adopted the Toronto Strong Neighborhoods Strategy 2020, which recommends the formation of neighborhood improvement areas in the thirteen priority neighborhoods. The City is working with other organizations to target investments in these areas (City of Toronto, 2012).

⁷ Community arts programs have existed in Toronto for some time, but have expanded in recent years. A number of reasons are cited for this new emphasis, including the growth of immigrant and low-income populations, and the rise of poverty in many neighborhoods. Cuts to arts programs in schools have also diminished the opportunities for young people to participate in art and cultural activities (City of Toronto, 2003b) and created gaps which community arts programs aim to fill.

⁸ In 2008, the City presented a comprehensive Toronto Community Arts Action Plan, and hosted a series of public consultations designed to solicit input on how to enhance community arts programs in the city.

⁹ See http://www.artreachtoronto.ca/about.html.

¹⁰ See http://www.livewithculture.ca.

¹¹ See http://www.toronto.ca/culture/arts-services/mycitymyart.htm.

¹² Other programs include: Inner City Visions, a program which uses hip hop to engage youth; Art Starts, a not-for-profit organization committed to arts-based community development in the underserved community of Dower, and the Go Far Passport which promotes youth programs in the thirteen priority neighborhoods. The York Woods Arts Hub, which opened in 2010, is also notable. This City-led project is located in the Jane-Finch neighborhood and provides a space where young artists can collaborate and gain access to training and rehearsal space. See http://neighborhoodarts.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/creating-the-york-woods-arts-hub/

¹³ Many programs are geared towards social and economic integration of culturally diverse newcomers to Canada. A community arts program director told us: “There needs to be funds allocated to help people settle, get their feet planted on the ground and get started. It's what this country's all about. A lot of people [in our program] are coming from first generation families. Almost every program in the city that's based in the ‘hood is working with newcomers, because most of the people that live in the ‘hood are newcomers, are first or second generation” (Interview, community arts organizer, 2009).

¹⁴ The Community and Neighborhood Services Task Force on Community Safety (City of Toronto, 2003a, 1) lists “youth empowerment through skills development” and “innovative recreation programs” as the top two solutions to violence. To reduce violence in the city overall, youth in priority neighborhoods are singled out for education, training, and apprenticeships (City of Toronto, 2007, 5).

¹⁵ Imagine a Toronto (City of Toronto, 2006, 14) highlights the success of the Inner City Visions (I.C. Visions) Project, the City-funded hip hop recreation center, which helps “young people work with their peers to provide youth engagement, leadership development, life skills … music industry workshops and seminars, talent showcases and competitions.”