Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries

Lake Mac Libraries is committed to fostering a creative community by providing quality, accessible exhibition spaces within community facilities to encourage awareness, create professional development and exchange of ideas.

Exhibition space is available at four Lake Mac Libraries branches at Belmont, Toronto, Charlestown and Swansea for students, emerging artists and community art groups.

Applications will be considered by Launchpad @Lake Mac Libraries that best reflect the objectives of the program.

• Promote exhibitions of local or cultural relevance, artistic merit and innovation
• Present exhibitions that showcase the work of emerging artists in all mediums
• Present exhibitions that are diverse and thought-provoking    

• Act as a platform for creative dialogue by encouraging wider community participation in the arts

Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries includes:                

• free exhibition space
• Promotional and marketing support for your exhibition through existing channels - 30,000 Lake Mac Libraries e-list, Council and Library websites and associated social media platforms
• Opportunity for artwork sales
• Administration of artwork sales. Lake Mac Libraries will retain a 25 per cent commission on works sold during the exhibition period.
• Lake Mac Libraries staff and volunteers will supervise the exhibition for its duration, handle art sales and provide information during opening hours.
• Exhibition period of up to 9 weeks
• Lake Mac staff and volunteers will support an exhibition opening or event of artist’s choice.
•  Exhibition sign and wall labels

Artists:

• Will provide works framed and suitable to use the supplied hanging system.   
• Will present one exhibition event of their choice - an exhibition opening, artist talk, workshop or demonstration - for no charge during the exhibition period
• are responsible for the insurance of works during the period of the exhibition and in transit to and from the library
• Lake Mac Libraries will retain a 25 per cent commission on works sold during the exhibition period unless otherwise specified.

Apply here

Launchpad @ Lake Mac Libraries Application

Lake Mac Libraries is committed to fostering a creative community by providing quality, accessible exhibition spaces within community facilities to encourage awareness, create professional development and exchange of ideas.

The Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries’ school’s program offers school students the opportunity to exhibit their work and to assist with organising and installing an exhibition.

Exhibition space is available at four Lake Mac Libraries branches at Belmont, Toronto, Charlestown and Swansea for student groups and classes.

Launchpad@LakeMacLibraries for Schools Objectives:

• Present exhibitions that showcase the work of school students in all mediums
• Act as a platform for creative dialogue by encouraging wider community participation in the arts
• Provide students with an experience of preparing and installing an exhibition

Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries for Schools includes:

• Free exhibition space
• Promotional and marketing support for your exhibition through existing channels - 30,000 Lake Mac Libraries e-list, Council and Library websites and associated social media platforms
• Exhibition sign and wall labels
• Opportunity for artwork sales
• Administration of artwork sales, if required. Lake Mac Libraries will retain a 25 per cent commission on works sold during the exhibition period.
• Lake Mac Libraries staff and volunteers will supervise the exhibition for its duration, handle art sales and provide information during opening hours.
• Exhibition period of up to 9 weeks
• Lake Mac staff will work with teachers and students to: install the exhibition, organise and prepare signage and marketing material
• Lake Mac staff and volunteers will support any exhibition opening event
• 15 reusable frames suitable for A4 or A3 works on paper available for loan

Students and teachers:

• works need to be suitable to use the supplied hanging system, and/or cabinets
• up to five students and/or teacher attend the venue on two days to assist with and experience installation and take-down of the exhibition including preparation of signage, wall labels and copy for marketing
• may elect to hold an exhibition launch event
• are responsible for the insurance of works during the period of the exhibition and in transit to and from the venue
• May elect to have works for sale. Lake Mac Libraries will retain a 25 per cent commission on works sold during the exhibition period unless otherwise specified.

Apply here

Launchpad @ Lake Mac Libraries Application for Schools

Launchpad@Belmont

• Address: 19 Ernest Street, Belmont
• Location of Launchpad: Located to the right of the entry into the branch
• Hanging Space: 10 metre wall length at 2.2 metre height (one wall)
• Linear Space: 27 metres
• Hanging System: Track system

Launchpad@Charlestown

• Address: Cnr Smith and Ridley Streets, Charlestown
• Location: Located within the branch to the right of the library entrance
• Hanging Space: 11 metres at 2.5 metre height (broken into 3 spaces)
• Linear Space: 22 metres
• Hanging System: Track system
• Display cabinets: External dimensions - 600cm (L) x 600cm (W) x 2000cm (H)
• Three moveable shelves per cabinet
• Three display cabinets available

Launchpad@Swansea

• Address: Swansea Centre, 228 Pacific Highway, Swansea
• Location of Launchpad: Located at the rear of the branch
• Hanging Space: Six metre wall length at 2.5 metre height
• Linear Space: 15 metres
• Hanging System: Track system
• Display cabinet: External dimensions - 1200cm (L) x 450cm (W) x 2000cm (H)
• 3 moveable shelves

Launchpad@Toronto

• Address: Cnr Pemell Street and Brighton Avenue, Toronto
• Location of Launchpad: Located within the branch, to the right of the service counter
• Hanging Space: 10 metre wall length at 2.2 metre height (consists of two walls 5.7m and 4.3m)
• Linear Space: 22 metres
• Hanging System: Track system
• Display cabinet: External dimensions - 600cm (L) x 600cm (W) x 2000cm (H)
• 3 moveable shelves

Current Exhibitions

Launchpad exhibitions will return from Saturday 19 February 2022, with an exciting new array of local talent on display. Over the holiday break Awaba: know our stories will be on display across our Toronto, Charlestown, Belmont and Swansea Libraries from Wednesday 15 December until February 4.

Meet the Artist

Throughout the year we host a series of Meet the artist events at Launchpad libraries.

These events come in a variety of formats from live art performances to in-depth discussions on the artist's careers, inspirations and techniques. Bookings are essential and can be made online, by phone or in-person prior to the event. These events will re-commence as soon as Covid social distancing and gathering restrictions allow.