Humber College is Fostering Creativity, Innovation, and Sustainability

Humber Cultural Hub rendering © Courtesy of Humber College

Humber College is Fostering Creativity, Innovation, and Sustainability

A vibrant project is underway at Humber College, paving the way for arts, culture, and sustainability.

Humber College is transforming its Lakeshore Campus into a destination for arts and culture through the development of the Humber Cultural Hub (HCH). Building on Humber’s foundation of carbon reductions and eco-conscious practices, the HCH also represents a significant investment in cultural sustainability in the GTA.

Set to become a mainstay of creative innovation, the HCH enhances Humber’s ability to nurture the next generation of artistic and cultural leaders by creating a vibrant ecosystem of collaboration and exploration and supporting community revitalization—all while minimizing its environmental impact.

“Humber College is making a bold statement,” said Guillermo Acosta, Senior Dean of Media and Creative Arts at Humber College. “Our vision for the Hub is to serve as a cultural anchor, a welcoming space that draws the community in and supports our students as emerging creators and future leaders. We aspire to take on a leadership role within the community, particularly in multidisciplinary work, sustainability and environmental practices.”

An important component of social and economic sustainability, the creative and performing arts attract residents and tourists who invest in where they live, work and play. However, emerging creators and community arts organizations often struggle to access affordable, modern rehearsal, studio, and performance spaces. The HCH will help to bridge this gap in the GTA by providing purpose-built spaces to student artists and content creators.

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Additionally, by opening new arts and culture space in South Etobicoke, the Cultural Hub aims to enrich the local community through new cultural programming and events while increasing opportunities to engage with Etobicoke-Lakeshore residents, community and industry partners.

Humber College has prioritized environmentally conscious construction practices, with the Hub earning certification as a Zero Carbon Building—a global standard in sustainability. The innovative use of mass timber in the supporting structure of the new student residence, which will also be part of the HCH, showcases Humber’s commitment to sustainability and sets an example for future construction projects.

Operating with 90 to 100 per cent renewable energy sources, the HCH significantly reduces its carbon footprint, aligning with Humber’s broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions across all campuses and exemplifying Humber’s dedication to addressing climate issues head-on.

“We want to build a community of graduates who have a mindset dedicated to protecting the planet,” Acosta continued. “Specifically, individuals from the Media and Creative Arts programs who can actively contribute to the sustainability of the arts and culture sector.”

One of the most exciting aspects of the Humber Cultural Hub is its role as a catalyst for educational innovation. By providing state-of-the-art facilities for music, creative arts, and content creation programs, Humber is redefining the learning experience for students.

“The Cultural Hub focuses on the student experience by providing professionally designed, purpose-built spaces,” said Michael Wright, Director of Technical Services at Humber’s Faculty of Media and Creative Arts. “What we have done is design a building that is fully connected, allowing audio and video to move seamlessly between studios, performance spaces, practice spaces, and labs. We will be able to have musicians playing together while being in different locations.”

Also, by providing opportunities for multidisciplinary work and showcasing Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, Humber is creating a space where diverse voices can come together to create meaningful positive change. Through initiatives like waste reduction and human-centred design, Humber is demonstrating its commitment to creating a sustainable and inclusive future for all.

Learn more at humber.ca/culturalhub