TORONTO, ON - September 22, 2014 /CNW/ - From Saturday, October 4 from 6:53 p.m. to sunrise on Sunday, October 5, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche will transform the city of Toronto into an all-night celebration of contemporary art, featuring more than 120 art projects created by nearly 400 local, national and international artists.

Heading into its ninth consecutive year, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is one of the largest contemporary art events in North America. Last year the event attracted an audience of more than one million people, including 190,000 out-of-town visitors and generated an economic impact of $39.5 million.

This significant Toronto event would not be possible without the continued support from sponsors Scotiabank, Concord CityPlace, H&M, Renova, Subaru and Toronto Hydro. Event details are available at http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca and a Backgrounder highlighting sponsor-initiated art projects is included at the end of this news release.

"The popularity and international interest for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche increases each year," said Mike Williams, General Manager, Economic Development and Culture. "The support of our sponsors is essential for the event's ongoing success and progression. Their commitment to the arts and enthusiasm for this all night celebration of contemporary art represents public and private sector partnerships at their finest."

Scotiabank
Scotiabank has been the event's official title sponsor since the event's inception in 2006. Through their continued support, Scotiabank has its demonstrated dedication to enriching Toronto's cultural offerings. Scotiabank recently received the 2014 Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada Award of Distinction in recognition of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, in the new "Festivals" category.

"It's been remarkable to see how both Torontonians and visitors have embraced Scotiabank Nuit Blanche and helped it grow into such a fantastic celebration of arts and culture in our city," said Claude Norfolk, Scotiabank's Senior Vice President of the Toronto Region. "Scotiabank believes in the importance of art being accessible for everyone in the community. We are proud to support this event and look forward to another great night where people can experience art firsthand on October 4." 

Sponsorship from the Province of Ontario, through Celebrate Ontario and Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC), as well as Tourism Toronto, supports event enhancements and promotion of the event to tourism audiences. This year's funding allowed for the extension of 10 projects which will remain on view through Monday, October 13. It also supported the creation of 10 videos featuring artist and curator commentary on the extended projects. Beginning September 24, a new video will be posted each day leading into the event at: http://bit.ly/1tEK72A.

"From dusk to dawn, this annual celebration of contemporary art takes over the streets of Toronto, celebrating Ontario's vibrant arts scene and creating unforgettable experiences for both visitors and residents alike," said Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "The Government of Ontario is proud to support great festivals and events like Scotiabank Nuit Blanche that strengthen the local economy, create jobs and build our profile as a premier tourist destination." 

The City of Toronto would also like to thank all travel and transportation partners including Eaton Chelsea, Toronto, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), GO Transit and VIA Rail Canada; and media sponsors City, OMNI, Toronto Star, Now and Boom 97.3.

About Scotiabank Nuit Blanche
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is 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 information and updates athttp://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca, on Facebook at facebook.com/sbnuitblancheTO and Twitter at @sbnuitblancheTO, #snbTO.

From Scotiabank
Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada's most international bank. Through Bright Future, our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level across six pillars: health, education, social services, arts and culture, environment and sports. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

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. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. 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.

Backgrounder

The ninth edition of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche will take place Saturday, October 4 from 6:53 p.m. until sunrise and feature more than 120 art projects created by nearly 400 local, national and international artists.

Whether sponsors are returning or new, all have immersed themselves in the spirit of the event through their support and development of featured art projects, allowing for incredible local artists to be showcased. Highlights of these special projects follow.

Scotiabank
1nspired Night: presented by Scotiabank is an art installation that tells the story of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche through a live, immersive experience that allows attendees to become part of the art. Tagged pictures will be streamed in real time via #snbTO on Twitter and Instagram. This compilation of images will be projected throughout the night within the 100-foot (30-metre) walkway of screens at 130 Spadina Ave (just south of Richmond Ave W).

Concord CityPlace
Concord CityPlace joins Scotiabank Nuit Blanche in 2014 as a first time sponsor. This condominium community is home to Canada's largest collection of public art spanning across 47 acres. As part of their contribution to the event, Concord Adex is sponsoring and creating the Concord ArtSpace group exhibition, an outdoor museum featuring The Puente de Luz, a sculptural bridge and numerous other pieces throughout Concord CityPlace. Attendees are also encouraged to preview the works online athttp://www.ConcordArtSpace.com and to visit the Concord CityPlace Presentation Centre to engage via multimedia components to learn about each piece at the event. Location: Concord CityPlace Presentation Centre at 23 Spadina Ave.

"Concord Adex's sponsorship of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche demonstrates our ongoing commitment to world class public art in Toronto," said Gabriel Leung, Vice President, Development, Concord Adex. "Concord Adex believes public art is a pillar of building vibrant and sustainable communities and welcomes Torontonians to the Concord ArtSpace exhibition with open arms."

H&M
Returning as a sponsor for a second year, H&M has commissioned an art project that speaks to the company's commitment to reducing the environmental impact of textiles throughout their lifecycle. Coalesce by Lizz Aston, sponsored by H&M, spans the entire store front of their Queen Street West location, exploring themes of sustainability and the global exchange that is embedded within garments and textiles. Aston's work is inspired by lace-making, decorative arts and the histories of textile production. This large-scale installation looks at lace as a metaphor for interconnectivity and transforms recycled materials sourced from H&M's Garment Collecting initiative turning them into a cascade of lace. Location: H&M at 427 Queen St. W.

"We are thrilled to show off the artistic side of fashion through our sponsorship of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche," said Emily Scarlett, Communication & Press Department, H&M, Hennes & Mauritz AB. "In addition to this, we hope to generate greater awareness of our Garment Collecting initiative as a means to create a more sustainable fashion future collaboratively with our customers."

Renova
Back for a second year, Renova is sponsoring the interactive installation The Garden of Renova created by Luigi Ferrara, Dean of the Centre for Arts & Design at George Brown College. The installation draws inspiration from sacred spaces and takes the public through a journey that evokes a garden of earthly delights. Renova coloured bathroom tissues are used as "Systemateks" building blocks to create an environment the public can explore. Location: Osgoode Rotunda, 361 University Ave.

"We are very excited to take part in Scotiabank Nuit Blanche once again, and to celebrate creativity and joy through the arts with the city of Toronto," said Paulo Pereira da Silva, President, Renova. "With the installation built entirely out of Renova product, we hope that people will find a little more excitement and colour in their everyday lives."

Subaru
For their second year as a sponsor, Subaru is presenting, Wild Air Vision Electro by Canadian artists Gene Pendon and Marisa Gallemit. The artists will transform a Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles -- one with painting and the other with sculpture -- re-interpreting the exterior of the vehicles. Harmonizing Eyesight Technology and the spirit of adventure, the vehicles showcase the relationship between the outdoors and the engineered. After 12 hours the piece will reveal the quest for exploration and the way to the future. Location: Bobbie Rosenfeld Park, 280 Bremner Blvd.

"Subaru is proud to participate in Scotiabank Nuit Blanche. It truly is about the live artistic experience for us," said Tara Willis, Manager, Advertising, Subaru Canada Inc. "We are very excited to see how our products, treated as blank canvases, can develop into art over the course of a night."

Toronto Hydro
Also back for a second year, Toronto Hydro's contribution to the event is Solar Dehydrator created by José Andrés Mora. This design of a repurposed fridge was chosen by voters from a contest facilitated by Toronto Hydro in support of their Fridge and Freezer Pickup program. Inspired by the refrigerator's insulation, Mora was able to keep a temperature controlled environment and create a solar dehydrator. This is something usually created from scratch, but Mora hopes that more people will adapt this method of repurposing. Location: Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Blvd.

"Again this year, we are honoured to power this world-renowned event, build a better city and contribute to promoting contemporary art in Toronto," said Anthony Haines, President and CEO, Toronto Hydro.

Media contact: 
Anastasia Saradoc
Economic Development and Culture, City of Toronto
416-392-8123
asarado@toronto.ca