The Children’s Conservatory is Back!
The Children’s Conservatory was moved to Allan Gardens in 2004 to be used for Children’s Programming and events. In recent years, however, programming has been limited. This was due to both the pandemic and construction in the park which required the the Children’s Conservatory to be used as a staff facility.
We are pleased to share that this winter, the Friends of Allan Gardens and the City of Toronto have worked in partnership to return the Children’s Conservatory to the community. Since December, we have hosted several children’s programs including Family Day Fun, our biggest family event in years, which say 248 community members come out to make pinecone bird-feeders together!
In addition to children’s programming, the Friends have been hosting other cultural events in the Children’s Conservatory, especially while the Palm House - the primary event space - is undergoing reconstruction. This past Friday, we hosted a pop-up concert featuring the innovative sound artist Seylon Stills. Seylon flew in from Texas to perform at the Women from Space Festival on March 9th. The next day, York University’s Sensorium Group facilitated a concert with her at Allan Gardens. Seylon created an amazing sensory experience. She had the audience pull out their smartphones to scan QR codes that revealed beautifully composed natural sounds and musical notes that she used as a backdrop for her sound art and vocal performance. If you closed your eyes you would be transported to an open meadow, surrounded by bird songs or cricket calls since the sounds were coming from all around you. When you opened your eyes, you realized that you were still in an Allan Gardens glasshouse. Seylon created a unique experience for all who attended her concert that day. We are tremendously grateful for the memories she created for our community.
Seylon Stills Sound Art Performance at the Children’s Conservatory on March 10th, 2023
We’re not the only ones running programs in the space either! We’re supporting a series of partners including:
GreenThumbs Growing Kids who will be bringing local school groups into the space to start seeds for their school gardens in the spring!
TMU & Children’s Book Bank to run a bi-weekly Family Day Program, a well loved and well-attended event in the park!
Centre Francophone to host horticulture programs for children en français!
Common Boots Theatre to explore the relationship between plants and our wellbeing.
There is lots going on at the Allan Gardens Children's Conservatory these days, and we’re thrilled to be apart of this revival! Check out our calendar of events to stay in the loop for events we’re planning or hosting!