Construction is underway on the expansion and renovation of Black Artists’ Networks in Dialogue (BAND) Gallery in Toronto’s Parkdale neighborhood. Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects, the three-story project will transform the existing Victorian-era building at 19 Brock Avenue into an expanded cultural facility featuring upgraded exhibition galleries, artist studios, workshops, community spaces, a resource library, accessibility upgrades, outdoor gathering areas, and a pollinator garden. The redevelopment also includes a contemporary rear addition, with work led by architect Dami Akinbode and landscape design by Foré, led by Shada Morris.
This expansion matters because BAND Gallery is one of Canada’s few Black-owned and Black-focused galleries dedicated to professional artistic practice, serving as both an exhibition venue and a community resource for Black artists and arts workers. The project reinforces the organization’s growing role in supporting emerging and established artists, curators, and cultural workers through mentorship, professional development, and collaborative programming. By upgrading to museum-grade exhibition standards and expanding year-round programming, the redevelopment strengthens Toronto’s cultural infrastructure and affirms the importance of dedicated spaces for Black artistic and cultural production.