7.3
Civic Theatres
Governance
Mandate
The City owns several theatres, most of which are small facilities occupied
by principal theatre companies or operators. The City's three major civic
theatres are world-class theatres that provide a full range of performing
arts, theatrical and concert events and are operated as agencies of the City.
Theatre
Sony Centre for the
Performing Arts
St. Lawrence Centre for the
Arts
Toronto Centre for the Arts
City Board
Board of Directors of the Sony Centre for
the Performing Arts (operating name for
the Board of Directors of the Hummingbird
Centre for the Performing Arts)
Board of Management of the St. Lawrence
Centre
Toronto Centre for the Arts
(operating name for the North York
Performing Arts Centre Corporation)
The St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and the Toronto Centre for the Arts are
rentals-only facilities whose mandates include management of the facilities
and the promotion and presentation of the performing arts. The broader
mandate of the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts includes the promotion,
production or presentation of the performing arts.
Mission Statements
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts:

A cultural hub which presents and promotes the best of local, national
and international performances and events to engage, educate and
entertain Toronto's communities and tourists.
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts:

Provides Toronto’s not-for-profit music and dance companies and
diverse cultural communities with a professional, service-oriented,
well-equipped theatrical and entertainment facility, and acts as a focus
for Canadian performing arts by attracting, facilitating and presenting
varied, high quality cultural, artistic and public events.
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Toronto Centre for the Arts:

Functions as a first-class venue for a full range of performing arts
which enliven and enrich the cultural life of the citizens of Toronto.
Structure
The Boards of the three civic theatres are City boards, and the City has full
authority over their structure and mandate.
Board of Directors of the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

An interim Board of Directors is currently in place that consists of 8
members and is composed of:
o 5 Council Members; and
o 3 City staff members.
Board of Management of the St. Lawrence Centre

The Board of Management consists of 12 members and is composed
of:
o the Mayor or designate appointed by the Mayor;
o 3 Council Members;
o 6 citizen members; and
o 2 tenant representatives nominated by the Board's Tenant
Advisory Committee.
Toronto Centre for the Arts

The Board of Directors of the Toronto Centre for the Arts consists of 12
members and is composed of:
o the Mayor or designate appointed by the Mayor;
o 3 Council Members; and
o 8 citizen members.
2014 Service Overview
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts:

Located at the corner of Yonge and Front Streets;

Offers multi-functional spaces and comprehensive event services;

With over 3,000-seats, it is the largest soft-seat auditorium in Canada;
and
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
Provides state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, a fully integrated
TicketmasterTM box office, a world class stage, experienced event staff.
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts:

Located near Yonge and Front Streets;

Offers a well-equipped theatrical facility and event services to
approximately 60 not-for-profit arts organizations and local groups;
and

Houses two theatres:
o The 876-seat Bluma Appel Theatre features state-of-the-art
sound and lighting capable of accommodating a wide range of
presentations
o The 498-seat Jane Mallett theatre provides exceptional acoustics
for concerts.
Toronto Centre for the Arts:

Located near North York Blvd. and Yonge Street;

Hosts approximately 350-400 performances and events annually; and

Currently houses three main elements:
o The Main Stage Theatre is a 1,727-seat theatre ideal for a wide
variety of live performance events including musical, opera,
ballet, symphony and corporate events; a major capital project
is under way to redevelop the theatre into two smaller theatres
o The 1,032-seat George Weston Recital Hall known for stellar
acoustics is most frequently used for unamplified music concerts
o The Studio Theatre is a 200-seat “black box” and is an extremely
versatile and affordable space used for music concerts, plays,
meetings and receptions.
2014 Operating Budget
Service
2014 Approved Budget
($000's)
Gross
Net*
15,013.3
1,238.0
3,264.3
1,747.9
3,544.6
1,771.5
21,822.2
4,757.4
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
Toronto Centre for the Arts
Total
* Note: Net budget after revenues is funded by the City.
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Key Contacts
Mark Hammond
Interim CEO and Director of Programming
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
416-368-6161 ext 7123, mark@sonycentre.ca
Jim Roe
General Manager
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
416-366-1656, jroe@stlc.com
Pim Schotanus
General Manager
Toronto Centre for the Arts
416-733-9388, pschotan@tocentre.com
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