Happy New Year! Welcome to 2023 and an exciting Winter Term at Hart House!
Hart House’s focus to provide spaces, programs and events for students and the University of Toronto community to come together in joyful exploration of the arts, dialogue and wellness is flourishing. This past term we saw a return of over 100 such events, as well as hundreds of bookings for conferences, picture-perfect weddings and other celebrations that brought music, laughter and life back into Hart House. It is a time of regrowth, and it is my honour and pleasure to lead our team in delivering the superb opportunities for community connection for which Hart House is best known.
Connect with us during the Winter Term! Whether it be dropping by for a fitness class, lunch with friends at the Arbor Room, studying in the library, become a part of Hart House. Increased programming this term centres around Black Futures, which includes The Lyricist’s Lounge, running from January 27 to March 24. In partnership with Toronto2.0, these stress-free sessions are intended for anyone interested in exploring the craft and the art of writing exceptional lyrics.
Later in the term, on February 28, we are thrilled to present an event that brings together three Poet Laureates past and present, who represent various regions from across Canada called Nation Building through Poetry. Angeline Tetteh Wayoe, Host of CBC Music’s The Block will be our host for the evening as our speakers (Edmonton’s current Poet Laureate, Titilope Sonuga, Ontario’s first Poet Laureate, Randell Adjei and former Halifax Poet Laureate, Rebecca Thomas) engage in cross-national conversations that touch on their identities and the stories that uniquely capture their experience, their location and their engagement in the arts.
The ever-popular Hart House Fitness Centre is looking forward to a busy Winter Term, with many offerings from fitness classes to recreational sports. The Hart House Fitness Centre is a place that welcomes all students and the community. Members have access to our 25-yard pool, indoor track, weight room, drop-in classes and membership enhancements like personal training, reformer Pilates and specialized registered programs. Also noteworthy: Registration for the Annual Hart House Indoor Triathlon opens on February 1, 2023.
The Winter Term will also see many events and activities through the student-led Hart House Clubs and Committees. Be sure to subscribe to the Hart House Weekly for regular information on what’s happening in and around Hart House.
Every year, Hart House through the Hart House Awards recognizes students and their outstanding contributions to our community through their leadership and commitment.
The Audrey Hozack Student Leadership Award recognizes students who have excelled in showing leadership at Hart House and, particularly, those students who have enhanced participation and engagement for communities traditionally underrepresented in our space and our programming. The Judi Schwartz Memorial Scholarship recognizes the achievements and contributions of students involved with student-based programming and engagement at Hart House, reflecting Judi’s lifelong belief in the wisdom of student leadership.
These Awards represent our continued commitment to student leadership and excellence. Nominations opened in October 2022 and are closing imminently – January 20, 2023. We will announce the winners at the end of February.
And with that, I hope you enjoy this Winter 2023 issue of the Hart House Quarterly. Articles include:
- Transformed by Hart House Theatre, U of T Talents Step into the Spotlight: The work of actor Abi Akinlade and playwright/stage manager Helen Ho has been recognized in two important theatre awards this past spring. Hart House is pleased to celebrate their accomplishments and underscore the importance of the student-run Hart House U of T Drama Festival.
- Hart House Thanks UTSU (University of Toronto Students’ Union) for Universal Washroom: Motivated by a desire to make the fullest U of T experience available to all students, the UTSU supported the creation of a comprehensive accessible or 'universal' washroom at Hart House. The House is grateful for this support and the UTSU's continued leadership and vision.
- Glimpse into the Hart House Art Collection Reveals Magnificent Body of Work: The art collection at Hart House is a stunning cornucopia of Canadian works, filled with hidden gems by some of the nation’s greatest visual artists. Students, alumni and community members can commune with this awe-inspiring work on the walls and grounds of Hart House, each and every day, gaining an insider’s look as to the scale and scope of this impressive collection.
Please stay in touch, and we look forward to seeing you in the Winter Term.
Sherry Kulman, Interim Warden
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