TORONTO, ON - December 10, 2014 /CNW/ - The City of Toronto today announced the economic impact of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2014, Toronto's free annual all-night celebration of contemporary art. In addition, preliminary details for next year's 10th edition were revealed and organizers extended an invitation for artist submissions to three different programs.

Based on the findings of an Ipsos Reid survey, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2014 generated an economic impact of about $40.5 million for Toronto. The popular event held on October 4 attracted both local and out-of-town audiences, with an estimated attendance exceeding one million people and including close to 200,000 out-of-town visitors.

The event brought together the exceptional talents of nearly 400 artists and curators, and dozens of galleries, museums, cultural and educational institutions, and neighbourhoods in a collaborative undertaking.

"Every year, I look forward to travelling throughout the city, observing and participating in the diverse and powerful art installations that captivate Toronto," said Mayor John Tory. "Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is a truly unique event that has grown into one of the largest of its kind in the world, bringing in more than $227 million in total economic impact for Toronto since 2006. As Mayor, I will invest in arts and culture, allowing major events like this to prosper and deliver unforgettable experiences to Torontonians."

"This year Scotiabank Nuit Blanche generated its highest ever economic impact and tourist attendance," said Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic Development Committee. "It is not only a powerful magnet for tourism, it energizes our city and continues to attract impressive, positive national and international media attention."

Ipsos Reid survey results show that awareness for the event is up year over year, including outside of Toronto. Thirty-five media from key markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, Germany and Japan, attended and covered the event. They were hosted in partnership with Tourism Toronto and the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC).

For the second year, extended projects allowed Toronto residents and visitors further opportunity to experience some of this year's highlights, including "Global Rainbow" and "Made in China." The Ipsos Reid survey results show that hundreds of thousands of people took advantage of this extension and visited one or more of these projects after the main event on October 4 through to October 13.

"Scotiabank Nuit Blanche has a real impact on our city, both culturally as it offers the opportunity for individuals to experience art firsthand and economically as visitors join us from around the world to take part in the festivities," said Jacqueline Ryan, Scotiabank Vice President of Sponsorship & Partnership Programs. "We have been proud to support Scotiabank Nuit Blanche and see how the community has embraced the event."

Toronto's Now Magazine readers recently chose Scotiabank Nuit Blanche as the Best Free Cultural Happening in its annual "Best Of" poll. This is the seventh year in a row that the event has come out on top in one of Now's Best Of poll categories. Field Day's third annual Toronto entertainment survey, released last month, listed the event as one of the top three all-time favourite festivals, fairs and events and in the top 18 all-time favourite attractions for city of Toronto residents.

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2015
Planning is well underway for the 10th edition of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2015.

"The Scotiabank Nuit Blanche Artistic Advisory Committee is proud to see this event continue to evolve with new concepts and further collaborations with major arts and culture organizations," said Dr. Sara Diamond, President and Vice Chancellor, OCAD University. "The 10th edition promises to captivate audiences more than ever before."

Innovative and internationally renowned artist JR (New York/Paris) will bring his stunning and ambitious vision entitled "Black and White Night" to a full exhibition area. "I want to turn the city inside out for one night with the help and energy of the community, so that Toronto creates a powerful image that will be remembered," said JR. This is the first time ever that an artist has been given an entire exhibition area to transform for the event.

The 10th edition welcomes acclaimed curator Agustin Pérez Rubio (Buenos Aires) who shines a spotlight on Latin America by inverting audiences' geographical relationship to it for his exhibition theme. Highly esteemed curator Christine Shaw (Toronto) will present her geopoetic exploration of the dynamic nature of wind at sea and on land.

As well, in honour of this milestone year, artists can apply to be part of a special exhibition "10 for 10th," which is engaging major cultural organizations under the curatorial vision of "Memory Lane" from Che Kothari (Toronto/LA). "Memory Lane" explores the rich and textured terrain of memory, the personal, the shared, the sacred, the nostalgic, the iconic, the haunting and the political, and will be the overall theme for the Independent Projects as well -- making for another first, as this program has never had curatorial direction.

For 2015 there are three ways artists can submit their project ideas to participate: through the Open Call Projects, the Independent Projects, or the "10 for 10th." Key deadlines for all three are approaching.

Open Call Projects
The City-produced exhibitions include Open Call Projects, which give artists an opportunity to apply to be part of the event. JR, Pérez Rubio and Shaw will select submissions in consultation with the City of Toronto. Funding and production support is provided. The Open Call submission deadline is Monday, January 19, 2015.

Independent Projects
Each year the event features self-funded installations created by galleries, schools, neighbourhoods, community organizations and individual artists. The Independent Projects submission deadline is Tuesday, February 17, 2015.

"10 for 10th" Projects
This City co-produced exhibition gives artists an additional opportunity to apply to be part of the event within the Independent Projects application. They are selected by the curator in consultation with the City of Toronto and the participating cultural organizations. Funding and production support is provided. The "10 for 10th" submission deadline is also Tuesday, February 17, 2015.

Applications are now being accepted for all three of these project categories. Further details can be found athttp://www.toronto.ca/special_events/snb/ and information will also be available in person at the following sessions: 

Open Call Projects information session:
Monday, January 5, Metro Hall, 55 John St., 3rd Floor, Rooms 308/309, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

"10 for 10th" and Independent Projects information session:
Monday, January 12, Metro Hall, 55 John St., 3rd Floor, Rooms 308/309, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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 1,000 official art installations, created by more than 4,400 artists and has generated more than $227 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 atwww.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.