From Confusion to Clarity

Real estate and property development feel overwhelming when you're focused on art. Our hybrid program breaks down complex financial, legal, and real estate concepts into actionable steps—so you can actually understand what you're doing and why it matters for your organization.

Your Tailored Space Vision Plan

Stop wondering if your space strategy will work. You'll walk away with a professionally vetted Space Vision Plan and Pitch Deck designed specifically for your organization's needs, market conditions, and funding landscape.

Direct Access to Decision-Makers

The live Capstone Showcase connects you face-to-face with institutional funders, municipal officials, and community developers. Pitch your spatial model to the people who can actually make it happen—no intermediaries, no waiting.

About the SPRE Arts Space Lab

Arts organizations across Ontario face a brutal reality: either you're bleeding money on volatile commercial rents, or you're stuck without dedicated cultural infrastructure in your community. The worst part? You're expected to figure it out alone—without the specialized financial, legal, and real estate training that actually matters. The SPRE Arts Space Lab changes that. This isn't another lecture series where you sit and take notes. This is a dynamic asset incubator where you'll work step-by-step through real property challenges, build a professionally vetted Space Vision Plan and Pitch Deck tailored to your organization, and culminate in a live Capstone Showcase where you pitch directly to institutional funders, municipal officials, and community developers. You'll gain the expertise to navigate complex real estate decisions, understand your financial options, and build a clear path to permanent, sustainable cultural space. By the end, you won't just understand property development—you'll have a concrete, fundable strategy and direct relationships with decision-makers who can make it real. If you're tired of temporary solutions and ready to secure permanent space for your arts organization, the Space Lab is designed for you.

Photo credit: Vitaly Gariev

About the SPRE Team

The SPRE Arts Space Lab is built by experts who understand both the arts sector and real estate development. We've worked with dozens of arts organizations facing displacement, infrastructure gaps, and funding challenges—and we've seen firsthand what works and what doesn't. Our team combines deep knowledge of Ontario's cultural landscape with practical expertise in property financing, legal structures, and community development. We're not here to sell you generic real estate advice. We're here because we believe arts organizations deserve permanent, thriving spaces—and we know what it takes to make that happen. We've designed the Space Lab to be hands-on, practical, and focused on real results. Every framework, every template, every connection we facilitate is rooted in what actually works for organizations like yours. Our biggest goal? To equip arts leaders with the tools, knowledge, and relationships needed to build sustainable cultural infrastructure across Ontario.

What You'll Learn

9 Chapters · 85 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to the SPRE Arts Space Lab

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      Meet the Team!

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      Friday, Sept 18, 2026 | 1:00 PM–5:00 PM EST (Includes Launch & Networking Mixer)

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 Zoom Recording (starts at 36:00)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1: Demystifying SPRE - Building the Foundation for Arts Infrastructure - Zoom link

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Meet your Instructor - Kendra Fry

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1: Demystifying SPRE — Building the Foundation for Arts Infrastructure In-Person Session

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Social Purpose Real Estate for the Arts

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      Accessibility Toolkit- Required Reading by Week 6

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      Feasibility Study Example- Required Reading for Week 2

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      Business Plan Example- Required Reading for Week 2

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      Market Study Example- Required by Week 4

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      Assessing Your Fundraising Readiness

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Altus Costing Data Tables- Optional if you want to start planning

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Readiness Analysis- To Complete In Class

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Friday, Sept 25, 2026 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM EST

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 Zoom Recording

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2: Navigating the Property Market — Leases, Zoning, and Spatial Rights Zoom Session

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Meet Your Instructor!

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      Podcast Summary on Key Lease Negotiation Items (Jesse Fragale & Rosa Lupo from Gowlings) - Required before attending

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      Module 2 Presentation

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      Friday, Oct 2, 2026 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM EST

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      Module 3 Zoom Recording

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      Module 3: Building the Capital Stack — Social Finance and Alternative Funding Zoom Session

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      Meet Your Instructor!

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      Case Study- Community Bonds Book

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      Slide Deck for Module 3

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      Module Instructions

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      SPRE Ratio Calculator

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      Lecture: Friday, Oct 9, 2026 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM EST

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      Module 4 Zoom Recording

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      Module 4: Managing the Footprint — Operational and Spatial Sustainability Zoom Session

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      Meet the Instructor

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      Imagine Canada - Required Review before attending module

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      Library Square - Proposed Operating Plan - Required Reading before module 4

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      Library Square - Council Governance Report - Required Reading before module 4

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Aurora Town Square - shared vision, mission and core values statement - Required Reading before module 4

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      Aurora Town Square Business Plan 2024-2026 - Required Reading before module 4

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      Module 4 - Slide Deck

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      Operating Agreement Structure and Key Provisions - Reference Guide

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      Provision of Cultural Services Agreement - Reference Guide

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      A Framework to Assess Operational Models and Types of Agreements - Handout

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Operational Policy Content for a Performing Arts Venue - Reference Guide

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Facility Asset Risk Assessment

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Revenue Streams Business Model Identifier

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Venue Sustainability Stress Test

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Facility Operating Plan Workbook

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 - Reference Reading

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Friday, Oct 16, 2026 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM EST

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      Module 5: Future-Proofing Creative Spaces — Eco-Retrofits and Climate Resilience Zoom Session

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Meet Your Instructor!

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      Module5_Ontario_Canada_Funding_Guide

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Module5_FutureProofing_Creative_Spaces_DECK

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Optional Reading_Module5_Dig_Deeper_Reading_Library

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      Prerequisite Reading_Module5_PreReading_Green_Buildings_and_Circularity_Primer - Required Reading before module 5

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      Module5_Climate_Risk_Screening_Matrix

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      Module5_Thinkific_Build_Pack

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      Module5_Climate_Resilience_and_EcoRetrofit_Action_Plan_TEMPLATE

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 5 Zoom Recording

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Friday, Oct 23, 2026 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM EST

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 6: Centering Land and Access — Foundational Equity in Property Development Zoom Session

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Meet Your Instructors!

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Accessible America - A History of Disability and Design, Bess Williamson - please read before session

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      The Social Model of Disability - video, please watch prior to session

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      What is the social model of disability - video, please watch before session

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Unlearning Ableism Chapter 1

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      Unlearning Ableism Chapter 9

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      Module 6 Presentation

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      Optional - Additional Materials

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      SPRE Arts Space Lab: Module 8 Capstone Presentation Agenda & Participant Guide

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Friday, Oct 30, 2026 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM EST

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 7: Mastering the Pitch — Systemic Advocacy and Real Estate Negotiation Zoom Session

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      Meet Your Instructor!

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      Module 7 Introduction

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      Mastering the Pitch

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      Assignment (required before attending module 7)

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Principles for Giving Feedback, Andrea Small from "Creative Acts for Curious People"

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Ontario Presents - Theatre Centre video

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Theatre Centre Provincial Presentation

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      SPRE Arts Space Lab: Module 8 Capstone Presentation Agenda & Participant Guide

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      SPRE Arts Space Lab: Module 8 Capstone Presentation Agenda & Participant Guide

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Friday, Nov 6, 2026 | 1:00 PM–5:00 PM EST

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 8: The Capstone Showcase — Launching Your Space Vision Plan Zoom session

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Meet Your Panelists!

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 8: The Capstone Showcase — Launching Your Space Vision Plan In-Person Session

Stop Waiting for the Perfect Space. Start Building It.

You've already spent enough time worrying about rent, displacement, and infrastructure gaps. The SPRE Arts Space Lab gives you the expertise, the plan, and the connections to make permanent cultural space a reality. Join arts leaders across Ontario who are taking control of their organization's future. NEW 80% Bursary Funding Available:  We believe financial barriers shouldn't stand in the way of spatial security. Thanks to our program funders, bursaries covering up to 80% of program tuition ($500 CAD) are available for qualifying individuals and organizations, reducing your enrollment cost to just $100 CAD. Apply Here: https://forms.gle/EWDxKjzzrgdd3oJh9

$500.00

Secure Your Spot