HartHouseAnnualReport-2017-18

2017–2018 

YEAR IN REVIEW 

HART HOUSE, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO 

2017–2018

Opposite page: Hart House Global Commons 

2017-2018 

CONTENTS 

4 Hart House: Community, 

Capacity, Communication 

5 Organizational Chart and 

Strategic Objectives 

6 2017–2018: A Year of 

Acceleration 

6 Customer Service 

Training—Operational 

Excellence 

8 Branding—Reputational 

Excellence 

8 Academic Partnerships— 

Experiential Excellence 

9 Governance 

9 Board of Stewards 

Committees and Clubs 

9 Tri-Campus Mandate 

10 For an Open Dialogue 

11 Global Commons 

12 Hancock Lecture 

12 Hart House Debates and 

Dialogue Committee Events 

14 For Your Inner Artist 

15 Night of Ideas 

16 Uprooted and 

Dispossessed 

16 2017/18 Theatre Season 

18 Hart House By the Numbers 

20 For What Moves You 

22 Wellness Drop-in Programs 

22 Hart House Farm 

24 For Building Community 

25 Hart House Podcasts 

25 Youth Community 

Recreation 

25 International Day for 

the Elimination of Racial 

Discrimination (IDERD) 

25 SOAR 

26 Human Library 

26 Hart House Theatre Review 

27 Celebrations and Ceremonies 

27 Black Graduation 

Ceremony 

28 Paul Templin Retires 

29 Awards 

29 Donor Supported Awards 

30 University-wide Awards 

31 Art Museum Awards 

32 Building 

32 Critical Infrastructure 

Renewal 

32 Hart House Theatre 

Improvements 

33 Other Capital Projects 

34 Support 

36 Financials 

3

HART HOUSE: 

COMMUNITY, CAPACITY, 

COMMUNICATION 

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN 

Delight in 

Discovery 

Key Themes 

Diversity Exploration Engagement 

excellence as our motivating force. Year 2: 

2017–2018, was one of acceleration. As 

you will read in the pages of this report, 

throughout the year we gained traction 

and momentum as the plan began to take 

its full shape. We began to get a sense of 

the House’s full potential to offer a truly 

transformative, accessible, and engaging 

educational experience to every student at 

all three campuses of this university. 

ways of seeing the world without fear of 

failure or the challenge of competition. 

On and off campus, staff nurture leaders, 

promote creativity and provide a foundation 

for self-exploration. The house is a haven 

for those seeking refuge and relaxation, 

and a place of safety for those seeking to 

test and try new things that, while scary, 

just might liberate their minds, enrich their 

spirits, and enhance their well-being. 

Strategic Objectives 

Experiential Excellence Operational Excellence Reputational Excellence 

Foundational Pillars 

People Infrastructure Funding 

Welcome to the Hart House 

Annual Report for 2017–2018. 

In the following pages, you will 

find a snapshot of all that the 

students, senior members, alumni, 

faculty and staff have learned and 

accomplished together over the 

past year at Hart House. 

Just as it always has, Hart House offers 

students of the University of Toronto the 

opportunity to come together outside their 

classrooms and across their differences 

in pursuit of life-changing, communityenriching 

“high endeavour” through the 

arts, dialogue and wellness. Further, the 

Hart House of today continues to evolve 

into a more diverse and inclusive space 

than ever before while still remaining true 

to its core mandate. 

2017–2018 was the second year of the 

Hart House five-year strategic plan, “Delight 

in Discovery”. Given Hart House’s long 

association with recreational running, we 

like to think of each year of the plan as a 

different stage of a race. Year 1: 2016– 

2017, was the start, and a powerful and 

explosive one it was, with our ultimate goals 

of experiential, operational and reputational 

One of the many exciting ways in which 

that potential began to show itself was 

through the expansion of our collaborative 

partnerships with both academic units 

and with a wide array of community-based 

organizations. In an era increasingly 

focused on “experiential education” and 

“work-integrated learning”, Hart House has 

found its long history of providing students 

with real-life experience in governance, 

communications, advocacy, financial 

management, digital literacies, wellness, 

social justice and a host of other areas in 

high demand. Whether they are supporting 

at-risk youth in community-based 

recreational programs, fostering financial 

literacy among high school students or 

earning academic credit for enhancing Hart 

House’s web-based communications, the 

students who engage with Hart House are 

developing skills that will be a benefit both 

to them and to their communities for years 

to come. This is particularly important when 

we consider the many communities from 

which U of T students come. 

At its core, Hart House remains a unique 

community-of-communities that offers 

students an all-too-rare opportunity to take 

sheer delight in the joy of discovering new 

ideas, new interests, new friends and new 

As you read this Annual Report, we hope 

that you will experience even a little bit of 

that same sense of joyful exploration that 

inspires our students and propels us and 

our colleagues to do the work we do every 

day. And please remember— because 

we can never forget— that as members, 

friends and supporters of Hart House, it 

is you and your support that make such 

experiences possible. Our gratitude is 

both wide and deep for all that you do to 

ensure this generation of students at U 

of T, and all the generations yet to come, 

understand what it means to take “Delight 

in Discovery” at Hart House. 

Sincerely yours, 

John Monahan, 

Warden 

Dr. Janelle Joseph, 

Chair, Board of Stewards 

Top: John Monahan, Warden and Dr. Janelle Joseph, 

Chair, Board of Stewards Hart House 

Board of Stewards 

Chief Program Officer 

Hart House Theatre 

Integrated Learning & 

Community Engagement 

Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at hart House 

Recreation & Wellness 

OUR ORGANIZATION 

Warden 

Advancement 

Communications 

Warden’s Office 

100th Anniversary 

Vice-Provost, Students 

Chief Administrative Officer 

Facilities 

Finance 

Gallery Grill 

Information Hub 

Information Technology 

Meeting & Event Services 

Staff Operations & Professional Development 

4 HARTHOUSE.CA 

5

2017–2018: 

A YEAR OF 

ACCELERATION 

Year Two of Our 

Five-Year Strategic 

Plan, “Delight in 

Discovery” 

Opposite page (clockwise from top): John Monahan, 

Warden and Laura Siracusa, student co-organizer 

of the Global Commons; Terese Pierre, Hart House 

Senior Member posing for our branding campaign; 

Student Leaders Mentorship Reception 

2016–2017, or year one of “Delight in 

Discovery,” the Hart House five-year 

strategic plan, started off in a good way. 

2017–2018, or year two of the plan, was 

focused on its acceleration. An example of 

this acceleration can be found in the Hart 

House Global Commons, one of the core 

actions of our strategic plan. What began 

successfully but quietly in 2016–2017 as 

our attempt to create a multidisciplinary, 

cross-cultural program that promotes 

global awareness and accountability 

for students from U of T and a series of 

international partner universities, had 

blossomed by 2017–2018 into a truly 

unique, four-continents forum for intense 

dialogue about some of the world’s most 

pressing issues for students, academics 

and community partners from across the 

globe, all coordinated by students and 

staff from Hart House. (Read more about 

the Global Commons on pg. 11.) 

Other initiatives for the year included: 

• expanded programming to 

reflect diversity, exploration and 

engagement; 

• a community and academic 

partnership plan to increase 

community and student 

engagement; 

• a focus on improving the profitability 

of revenue generating businesses; 

• potential lead donors for 

infrastructure renewal; 

• enhanced assessment practices; 

• the creation of a safe and welcoming 

environment that is accessible to all; 

and 

• a new branding and marketing 

strategy to showcase Hart House’s 

excellence. 

All of these efforts were made in pursuit of 

our three strategic objectives: operational 

excellence, experiential excellence and 

reputational excellence. 

CUSTOMER SERVICE 

TRAINING—OPERATIONAL 

EXCELLENCE 

Mandatory customer service training was 

provided House-wide to the leadership and 

all permanent and part-time staff in 2017– 

2018. To strengthen our commitment to 

providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming 

environment, an action plan was put into 

place to ensure that all Hart House staff 

deliver client-focused, superlative customer 

service experiences for all members and 

users of Hart House, all the time. Staff 

were asked to develop personal plans to 

put into action the learnings gleaned from 

the training. The plans identified goals and 

associated actions and timelines in order 

to hold each staff member accountable for 

embedding the fundamentals of customer 

service consistently in all that they do. 


7

The execution of the 

Hart House strategic 

plan is grounded in 

integrated learning 

and community 

engagement across 

programming in arts 

and culture, dialogue 

and wellness. 

The student-majority 

Board of Stewards 

is the highest 

governing body at 

Hart House 

GOVERNANCE 

BRANDING—REPUTATIONAL 

EXCELLENCE 

A good brand is more than just a name 

and a logo. It encompasses everything we 

do and say, and just as important, what 

others say about us. A well-thought-out 

brand strategy helps position Hart House 

and define the experience that we hope 

clients will have when they interact with 

us. To this end, we engaged the services 

of SOS Design to help us refocus and 

refresh our brand. Several months of 

consultation with staff, students, alumni 

and community stakeholders, as well as 

research and awareness surveys, went 

into the development of the brand and 

positioning. The result was a logo lockup 

that included the new tagline “For You,” 

a reminder that - whether your personal 

engagement is through the arts, wellness, 

dialogue, community, food & dining or 

one of our beautiful event spaces – Hart 

House truly offers something for everyone. 

In developing our new brand, we were 

inspired by some key truths. These 

included: 

• Hart House is a social enterprise. 

All that we do in one way or another 

goes back to supporting student 

programs, learning beyond the 

classroom, and making a difference 

in the community 

• The “why” behind what we do is the 

focus, whereas the “what” is how we 

do it. 

• Hart House is more than just a 

building. It is a place whose reach 

extends beyond the campus. 

• The language and approach that we 

use must speak to all current and 

potential clients, not just those who 

are highly engaged. We must meet 

people where they are. 

• The Hart House brand must support 

our organizational values of diversity, 

equity and inclusion. 

ACADEMIC & COMMUNITY 

PARTNERSHIPS— 

EXPERIENTIAL EXCELLENCE 

Hart House has a long history of partnered 

work across all three campuses and with 

a wide array of community agencies. 

These partnerships have included strong 

linkages with the work of academic units. 

Initiatives with academic units provide 

rich experiences tied to course curricula 

and research initiatives. The execution of 

the Hart House strategic plan is grounded 

in integrated learning and community 

engagement across programming in arts 

and culture, dialogue and wellness. 

These partnerships and related initiatives 

use an integrated learning approach that 

intertwines co-curricular education with 

classroom, research, artistic performance 

and community experience. As such, this 

work then makes a particular contribution 

to the academic mission of the University 

of Toronto, as well as to student learning 

and student experience. 

Building on the foundational history of this 

work, the current Hart House strategic 

plan encourages a focus on these 

partnerships with academic units, with 

particular focus on providing research, 

experiential, and work-integrated learning 

opportunities for students. In 2017–2018 

some of our academic partners included: 

• Faculty of Music 

• John H. Daniels Faculty of 

Architecture, Landscape and Design 

• Munk School of Global Affairs 

• Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical 

Education 

• New College Community Engaged 

Learning: Equity Studies, Indigenous 

Studies, Women & Gender Institute 

• Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social 

Work 

• Faculty of Medicine 

• Dalla Lana School of Public Health 

• Centre for Drama, Theatre and 

Performance Studies 

• New College and Trinity College– 

Equity Studies and Trin One Program 

BOARD OF STEWARDS 

COMMITTEES AND CLUBS 

The highest governing body at Hart 

House is the Board of Stewards, and 

the majority of its voting members are 

students. They include representatives 

from each of the nine (9) student-led Hart 

House Standing Committees as well as 

one from each of the five student unions 

across the University’s three campuses. 

These students are joined on the Board 

by senior members of Hart House and U 

of T faculty and staff. Working together, 

they uphold the Hart House Constitution, 

provide broad oversight to ensure the 

House is pursuing and achieving the right 

priorities, and approve and monitor the 

annual budget. 

Through its Standing Committee 

structure, Hart House provides leadership 

opportunities for students and other 

members of Hart House, and encourages 

the exploration of ideas, perspectives 

and issues of importance to not only the 

House but to society at large. 

The ten Standing Committees of Hart 

House are: 

• Art 

• Debates and Dialogue 

• Farm 

• Finance 

• Literary & Library 

• Music 

• Recreational Athletics & Wellness 

• Senior Members 

• Social Justice, and 

• Theatre. 

In addition to these committees, Hart 

House supports many club programs in 

the arts, dialogue and wellness. Clubs 

build relationships between students 

and community members across and 

beyond campus. Hart House clubs help 

participants develop skills, broaden their 

outlook and enjoy new experiences. 

Whether competing in national 

competitions, performing live on stage or 

making films, these programs support a 

broad range of interests. 

• Musical groups including the 

Orchestra, Singers, Chamber Strings, 

Chorus, Symphonic Band, Jazz 

Ensemble and Jazz Choir 

• Recreational clubs including Chess, 

Archery, Bridge and the Underwater 

Club 

• Clubs focused on arts and culture 

including Film, Camera, and the 

Finnish exchange, and 

• The Hart House Debating Club. 

TRI-CAMPUS MANDATE 

Hart House believes the unique 

opportunities it presents to students are 

core to the University’s mission to educate 

the whole person; as such, they should be 

readily accessible to all U of T students, 

regardless of the campus on which they 

spend most of their time. In a survey 

conducted in 2015, we found that 90% of 

students on St. George campus used Hart 

House and an impressive 44% of UTM 

and UTSC students did the same. Since 

then, Hart House has embedded staff at 

UTM and UTSC to expand programming 

and further engage students across all 

three campuses. Drop-in programming 

such as Get Crafty and Board Game 

Café as well as travelling Talking Walls 

exhibits and film screenings are regularly 

presented at UTSC and UTM. And unique 

initiatives like the Hart House Global 

Commons are helping today’s students 

become tomorrow’s leaders and global 

citizens by engaging students from all 

three campuses in meaningful dialogue 

and exchange with students from partner 

universities all around the world. 


9

Opposite page: Modele Kuforiji, Student Ambassador 

FOR AN 

OPEN 

DIALOGUE 

Hart House is a place 

where students become 

more engaged and 

informed citizens who 

can navigate difference 

and create partnerships 

Bringing together 

people from across 

campus, around the 

corner, and around 

the world 

Hart House is a lively gathering place for 

discussion, debate and the exchange 

of ideas. Our conversations bring 

together people from across all three U 

of T campuses, around the corner, and 

around the world to engage in real-time 

discussions about some of the most 

pressing issues of our day. Hart House 

is a place where students become 

more engaged and informed citizens 

who can navigate difference and create 

partnerships. They achieve this through 

courageous conversations and openminded 

dialogue as well as through formal 

debate. 

Highlights from 


HART HOUSE GLOBAL 

COMMONS 

The Hart House Global Commons provides 

U of T students with a vibrant, creative, 

and welcoming international gathering 

place for important dialogue and the 

exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives 

on global issues. Hart House hosts this 

interdisciplinary initiative involving real-time 

discussions with students from across the 

globe. 2017–2018 partner universities 

were the Universidad de los Andes in 

Bogota, Colombia; the University of Cape 

Town, South Africa; and Indiana University 

Bloomington (USA). 

2017–2018 Series Theme: Achieving 

Peaceful Pluralism in a Globalized World 

How can we affect positive change and 

develop personal strategies to promote 

peaceful pluralism? What is our role 

as citizens in developing agency at 

the institutional, social, and individual 

levels? How can we find solutions that 

are inclusive, diverse, and supportive for 

all citizens? Students and guests from 

Canada, Colombia, South Africa, and the 

U.S.A., explored these questions via live 

video over the course of three sessions. 

All three sessions were moderated by 

Azeeza Kanji, a legal academic and writer, 

Director of Programming at Toronto-based 

Noor Cultural Centre, and Hart House’s 

2016 Hancock Lecturer. 

November 2017: Engaging Institutions 

through Active Citizenship Scene 

Setter: Rene Urueña, Faculty of Law, 

Universidad de Los Andes 

February 2018: The Opportunities and 

Challenges of Diverse Communities 

Scene Setter: Janice McMillan, Global 

Citizenship Programme, University of 

Cape Town 

11

March 2018: Personal Strategies for 

Promoting Peaceful Pluralism 

Scene Setters: Rima Berns-McGown, 

Max FineDay 

HANCOCK LECTURE 

“From its inception, the Hart 

House Lecture has inspired 

debate about visions of our 

place in the world.” 

– Margaret Hancock, Hart House Warden 1997–2007 

Organized by students and open to the 

public, the annual Hancock Lecture 

ignites public conversation and debate 

about issues important to the evolution of 

Canadian society as seen through the lens 

of young adults. The lecture was named 

in honour of Margaret Hancock’s decade 

as Warden of Hart House, which ended 

in 2007. 

2018 Topic: Black & Educated? 

Unveiling the Contradictions and 

Redesigning the Future 

The 17th Annual Hancock Lecture 

took place on January 23, 2018. It was 

delivered by Chizoba Imoka, a Ph.D. 

candidate in the Educational Leadership 

and Policy program at U of T’s Ontario 

Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), 

and moderated by Dr. Kofi Hope, a 

noted community activist and youth 

advocate. The lecture explored how 

within an education system based on 

Western values and knowledge, Black 

students often go through school feeling 

alienated and risk graduating ill-equipped 

to bring about transformative changes 

in their communities. Chizoba advanced 

an alternative vision of education 

that acknowledges colonial history, is 

responsive to socio-political concerns and 

enables a new generation of social justice 

leaders to make real change. 

Accompanying the lecture was a Talking 

Walls exhibit, “In Their Own Words”, that 

sought to reveal the Black experience at 

U of T. Students from all three campuses 

were interviewed and their responses 

were captured in a rich and thoughtful 

exhibit with the goal of generating 

dialogue, reflection and a sense of 

kinship. Other programming included 

a screening of the film The Hallmark of 

Tolerance, a radio interview with Chizoba 

Imoka, and a workshop ,“Lessons in Selfcare 

for the Black Soul”, led by lecture 

moderator Kofi Hope. 

HART HOUSE DEBATES 

AND DIALOGUE COMMITTEE 

EVENTS 

Every year, some of the most engaging 

conversations held at Hart House are 

convened by the student-run Debates 

and Dialogue Committee. In 2017–2018, 

their passion, creativity and curiosity 

about the world inspired them to organize 

a compelling series of topical events that 

were enjoyed by both the University and 

the broader community. Some highlights 

included: 

Marie Henein 

The Hart House Debates & Dialogue 

Committee presented Marie Henein, one 

of Canada’s most prominent litigators, in 

Below (clockwise from left): Marie Henein speaking at Hart House; Global Commons discussion with universities from around the 

world; Chizoba Imoka and Dr. Kofi Hope at the 2018 Hart House Hancock Lecture 

conversation with Kim Stanton, a lawyer 

at Goldblatt Partners LLP and former 

Legal Director of the Women’s Legal 

Education Fund. 

The sold-out event held on February 14, 

2018 garnered a lot of media coverage 

for its timely discussion of the #metoo 

movement. Ms. Henein called the 

movement a wakeup call that obliges 

us to ask hard questions, examine our 

conception of “normal” behaviour and 

question the underlying patriarchal 

structures that try to put women into 

neat boxes. For her part, Dr. Stanton 

called attention to the many murdered 

and missing Indigenous women and girls 

from across Canada, and challenged 

both governments and the public to 

recognize the systemic issues facing all 

Indigenous people. 

Premier Kathleen Wynne 

On March 1, 2018—four months before 

the most recent provincial election— 

the Hart House Debates and Dialogue 

Committee invited the then-premier of 

Ontario, Kathleen Wynne to deliver a brief 

keynote address on issues of concern to 

students. Almost 400 people filled the 

Great Hall to take part in a Q & A session 

with the Premier moderated by Debate and 

Dialogue Committee Chair, Aceel Hawa. 

Topics included the province’s controversial 

minimum wage increase to $15 by January 

2019. Wynne said the change would come 

closer to proving a living wage for workers. 

Another topic of discussion was mental 

health. Wynne said that more government 

investments would be made in order to 

provide more services on campus and in 

the community. 

Rule of Law in an Age of Fear/Freedom 

of Speech 

On October 18, 2017, the Hart House 

Debates & Dialogue Committee hosted 

Mr. Dennis Edney, the defence lawyer 

for former child soldier Omar Khadr in 

a discussion about Canada’s political 

and legal systems in light of Mr. Khadr’s 

internment and conviction on terrorismrelated 

charges. Mr. Edney spoke in front 

of a sold-out crowd. In fact, the event 

proved so popular that it had to be moved 

outside of Hart House to an even larger 

venue. The wide-ranging discussion 

that followed examined the effects of 

Islamophobia, American geopolitics, the 

news media and the culture of fear on 

democracy and the rule of law. 

The Future of Canadian Mental Health 

Moderated by The Honourable Michael 

Wilson, former Canadian Minister of 

Finance and Chancellor of U of T, this 

January 2018 panel discussion examined 

the current state of mental health in 

Canada. Speakers deliberated on the 

shortcomings of the system, lack of 

options available and the need to focus 

on marginalized communities. The roles, 

both positive and negative, of technology 

in mental health were discussed as was 

the ability of social media to spread 

awareness, alleviate isolation and provide 

information on accessing services. 

The panel was introduced by Dr. Andrea 

Levinson, Psychiatrist-in-Chief, University 

of Toronto and included Dr. David Wiljer, 

Associate Professor, Institute of Health 

Policy, Management and Evaluation; 

Dr. David Goldbloom, OC, Professor of 

Psychiatry, University of Toronto; Dr. Carol 

Hopkins, OC, Executive Director of the 

Thunderbird Partnership Foundation; Ms. 

Louise Bradley, President, Mental Health 

Commission of Canada; and Dr. Catherine 

Zahn, CM, President, Centre for Addiction 

and Mental Health. 

Top (clockwise from left): Free Speech on Campus: Expression or Oppression a National Conversation with the Canadian 

Race Relations Foundation; Global Commons; Rule of Law in an Age of Fear 


13

Opposite page: Angela Gu, Literary and Library 

Committee 

FOR YOUR 

INNER 

ARTIST 

Hart House has 

been a cultural hub 

for the University 

of Toronto and the 

community for the 

past century 

Serving both campus 

and community, 

Hart House provides 

opportunities to 

explore and expand 

Hart House has been a cultural hub 

for the University of Toronto and the 

community for the past century. Serving 

both campus and community, Hart 

House provides opportunities to explore 

and expand both personal artistic skills 

and a connection to the vibrant creative 

community that exists on campus and 

throughout the city. Examples include: 

• The Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at 

Hart House, part of the Art Museum 

of the University of Toronto, organizes 

and presents an intensive year-round 

program of exhibitions and events 

that foster innovative research, 

interdisciplinary scholarship, and 

knowledge of Canadian art and its 

histories at a local, regional, and 

international level. 

• Hart House Theatre supports 

educational opportunities and 

workshops, provides volunteer roles 

on and off stage, facilitates student 

theatre opportunities, and delivers 

annual semi-professional theatre 

productions in artistic partnership 

with others seeking to reflect diverse 

stories and communities. 

• Hart House clubs, committees and 

classes offer intensive immersion in 

music, film and photography. 



NIGHT OF IDEAS 

On January 25, 2018, Hart House and 

the Art Museum co-hosted the first 

Canadian edition of this French-initiated 

global, all-night, multi-disciplinary, multisensory 

event focused on an annual 

theme of global relevance. The Night of 

Ideas was first launched in London in 

2012 and Berlin in 2014 by the Institut 

Français and the Cultural Services of the 

French Embassies. The 2017 edition was 

presented simultaneously in 50 places of 

culture and knowledge across the globe. 

The topic of focus for the Toronto Debut of 

the Night of Ideas was “sleep.” Beginning 

at 7 pm and lasting until dawn, Night of 

Ideas brought 2,000 people into Hart 

House to mingle with artists, writers, 

historians, philosophers, neuroscientists 

and other restless minds to explore 

all aspects of sleep. Designed around 

the Art Museum’s exhibition Figures of 

Sleep, this gathering included awardwinning, 

internationally recognized 

writers, researchers and performers. 

15

Spanish architectural historian and 

theorist Beatriz Colomina examined the 

bedroom as an architectural space turned 

modern day office. French geographer 

Luc Gwiazdzinski contemplated how the 

24-hour cycle shapes city life. US art 

historian Tom McDonough looked at the 

role of boredom in the visual arts. U of 

T’s Janine Rivière investigated the history 

of nightmares and their interpretation 

from medical, political, religious and 

supernatural perspectives. Activities 

included a midnight swim in Hart House 

pool, screenings of Andy Warhol’s 

film Sleep and Max Richter’s 8-hour 

lullaby, and an Instagram sweepstakes 

#nightofideas that sent the winner on a 

trip to Paris, France. 

UPROOTED AND 

DISPOSSESSED: 

PORTRAITS OF WOMEN 

CAUGHT IN CONFLICT AND 

COLONIALISM 

In spring 2018, Hart House participated 

in the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography 

Festival. Partnering with Human Rights 

Watch (HRW), the Hart House Talking 

Walls exhibit space was used to display 

U of T legal academic Samer Muscati’s 

moving visual display of his most recent 

work documenting the plight of women in 

Iraq, Syria, South Sudan, Kenya, Zambia, 

and Canada. As a researcher for HRW 

for seven years, Muscati documented 

the aftermath of some of humanity’s 

darkest acts. His particular area of 

concentration was international women’s 

rights in conflict areas, with a particular 

emphasis on Africa and the Middle East. 

Gathering the testimony of his subjects 

was often harrowing, and Muscati found 

photography invaluable in processing his 

own experience. He shared the portraits 

with the women he was interviewing, 

finding that the medium served as a 

kind of bonding agent. Sarah Milroy and 

Simone Wharton organized the exhibit. It 

was named one of “20 must-see shows 

at Contact Photography Festival 2018” by 

NOW Magazine. 

View the exhibit online at 

uprootedanddispossessed.com 

2017–2018 THEATRE 

SEASON 

The season’s lineup at Hart House 

Theatre was a diverse mix of classical and 

contemporary work that featured a cult 

rock phenomenon, a popular musical, 

an American classic, and Shakespeare’s 

bloodiest tragedy. The season opened in 

September with Hedwig and the Angry 

Inch, an award-winning musical that 

transformed the theatre into a wild punk 

rock show. Known for its titillating material 

presented by Hedwig, an East German, 

gender-fluid, rock superstar goddess, it 

was a delightfully raunchy tale of love and 

bittersweet regret. 

Below (clockwise from left): Titus Andronicus at Hart House Theatre; two images from Night of Ideas 

The second show and second musical of 

the season took us from a rock concert 

to a middle school auditorium. The 

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling 

Bee, which opened in November, was a 

charming, Tony Award-winning musical 

set in a small-town spelling bee. With 

quirky contestants vying for the prize 

and some unconventional teachers 

running the show, the musical revealed 

the universal truth that winning is not 

everything. 

January saw the opening of a classic 

play, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. A 

cautionary tale that warns of the deadly 

consequences of a society allowing fear, 

suspicion and superstitious gossip to rule 

over facts and reason, it is a timeless and 

pivotal work. 

The season ended with the 

Shakespearean tragedy of tragedies, 

Titus Andronicus. Critically praised for 

its clever depiction of onstage gore and 

violence, the show delved into the depths 

of humanity’s most vile traits revealing the 

true price of revenge. 

Hart House Theatre supports student 

experience and alumni participation, 

all while showcasing Canada’s next 

generation of theatre professionals and 

fostering the next generation of Canadian 

theatre audiences. Approximately 450 

student volunteers were involved on stage, 

backstage and in the wings. And over 

6,000 students saw the shows! Students 

(age 18–24) accounted for almost 50% of 

the audience throughout the season. 

Hart House gives 

you the freedom to 

express yourself. 

Top (clockwise from left): The 25th Annual Putnam 

County Spelling Bee; Night of Ideas; photographer and 

human rights researcher Samer Muscati 


17


1,093,264 

Visits to Hart House 


274,333 

Visits to the Fitness 

Centre 


41,933 

Participants in 

Recreation & 

Wellness drop-in and 

registered programs 

Experiential Excellence Experiential Excellence Experiential Excellence 

696 

Number of registered 

participants in Hart 

House creative 

classes 

103 

Events delivered 

with University and 

community-based 

partners 

8 

Hart House events 

held at UTM/UTSC 

HART HOUSE BY THE NUMBERS: 

In order to measure success, you first have to define it. In 2016–2017, the first full year of Hart 

House’s 5-year Strategic Plan, the House established benchmarks against which success will be 

measured in subsequent years. The following are some of the benchmarks established in areas 

where Hart House hopes to achieve excellence: experience, operations, and reputation. 

Operational Excellence 


555 

Hart House 

Theatre season 

ticket holders 





24,491 

Tickets sold through 

Hart House Tickets 

93% 80% 

83% 81% 



58,000+ 

Inquiries at the Hart 

House Hub 

Percentage of visitors who were very 

satisfied or satisfied with their experience 

at Hart House. 

Percentage of students who participated in 

HH programming who agreed or strongly 

agreed that they had achieved a learning 

outcome related to inclusivity and social 

justice engagement. 

Percentage of students who participated 

in HH programming who agreed or 

strongly agreed that they had achieved a 

learning outcome related to artistic and 

creative expression and skills 

Percentage of students who participated in 

HH programming who agreed or strongly 

agreed that they had achieved a learning 

outcome related to community engagement. 

64% 

Percentage of nonappointed 

staff who 

are students 

Reputational Excellence Reputational Excellence Reputational Excellence 

19,556 

Facebook Likes 

(House-wide 

including Art Museum 

with 4,246 likes) 

15,297 

Twitter Followers 

(House-wide 

including the Art 

Museum with 3,053 

followers) 

6,225 

Instagram Followers 

(House-wide 

including the Art 

Museum with 2,846 

followers) 

Reputational Excellence Reputational Excellence Reputational Excellence 

33,110 

Hart House 

Quarterly newsletter 

subscribers 

1,189,083 

Website page views 

693,000 

Organic Twitter 

impressions 

Source: post-event surveys, happy or not terminals, intercept questionnaires and 

assessment reports. Please go to harthouse.ca/cources for more information.

FOR WHAT 

MOVES 

Opposite page: Amal Absiye, Student Participant, Youth Community Recreation Project 

Above: Hart House Fitness Centre 

YOU 

Whether your interest 

is in feeding your spirit, 

your mind or your body 

there’s something for 

whatever moves you 

At Hart House, wellness means tending 

to the whole you. Whether your interest is 

in feeding your spirit, your mind or your 

body, there’s something for whatever 

moves you. Whether you choose dance, 

meditation, nutrition or storytelling 

programs, classes and activities are suited 

to every level of skill and fitness. Get out 

of the city and learn how to make maple 

syrup. Meet new people over a board 

game or a 5-Buck Lunch. Hart House 

encourages you to go at your own pace 

and stretch your boundaries in a safe, 

friendly and welcoming environment. 

Go at your own pace, 

relieve stress, and 

meet new people in 

a friendly, welcoming 

space. Hart House 

wellness programs 

are for the whole you. 

21



WELLNESS DROP-IN 

PROGRAMS 

Taking a moment to pause during a busy 

day can often be the best thing you can 

do for yourself. Hart House offers free, 

drop-in programs every week that provide 

a simple, no-commitment way to enjoy fun 

and enriching activities while meeting new 

people and experiencing what it’s like to 

be part of the Hart House community. 

Board Game Café 

Board games are a favourite way to 

challenge the mind and indulge in some 

friendly competition. The Reading Room 

at Hart House is transformed into a Board 

Game Café every Tuesday afternoon from 

3–5 pm. Whether you’re in the mood for 

strategy, cooperative play or just plain 

silliness, there’s something to suit all tastes 

in our growing collection of board games. 

Drop-in Meditation 

Mindful Moments are open to all students, 

staff, faculty and Hart House members. 

Sessions are held twice a week and 

introduce meditation techniques that can 

help reduce stress and increase resiliency. 

Drop by Tuesdays and Wednesdays for a 

little peace in your day. 

Get Crafty 

On Thursdays from 11 am–1 pm, the 

Reading Room at Hart House is bustling 

with busy crafters creating photo frames, 

painted pots, custom journals, mini 

piñatas and more. Destress, socialize and 

take home your creations. 

Family Sundays 

The whole family can build memories, 

improve fitness and indulge in creative 

projects all at the same time. One Sunday 

each month, families enjoy interactive and 

educational activities that explore cultural 

diversity through storytelling, music, arts 

and crafts. 

HART HOUSE FARM 

Located along the scenic Niagara 

Escarpment, the 150-acre Hart House 

farm offers a welcome escape from the 

city. Administered by the Hart House 

Farm Committee, it is available for retreats 

and events all year round. The farmhouse, 

Ignatieff House, contains essentials like a 

fully equipped kitchen and rudimentary 

living quarters. The property features a 

maple sugar bush, cleared fields and a 

stone wall constructed entirely without 

mortar. A well-trodden path leads to a 

limestone palisade and a Finnish-style 

log sauna build adjacent to one of three 

scenic quarry ponds. Each year, the 

committee hosts four major events each 

marking the changes of the season: 

Winter Escape 

Held on February 10, 2018, this sold out 

event invited guests to enjoy ice skating, 

snowshoeing, walking the trails or taking a 

polar plunge into a pond. In celebration of 

Chinese New Year, the cold weather was 

Below (clockwise from left): Get Crafty; Board Game Café; Family Sundays 

offset by a hotpot and dumpling meal. 

Guests also learned the traditional arts of 

Tai Chi, calligraphy and kungfu tea. 

Sugaring Off 

The sap was flowing on the weekend of 

March 24–25, 2018 and a new batch of 

the beloved Hart House maple syrup was 

bottled. Hart House Farm caretaker, Steve 

Warn took students on a tour of the trees 

and sugar shack to teach them the basics 

of maple syrup production. International 

student, Ofure Iribhogbe had a taste of 

maple syrup for the first time. The aroma 

reminded her of glass candy from her 

home back in Nigeria. 

Midsummer’s Eve 

When school is out and the days are 

long, visitors pack their swimsuits and 

sunscreen and head to the Hart House 

Farm for this annual event. The weekend 

of June 24–25, 2017 was spent hiking 

through trails to view natural cliffs and 

crevices, swimming and relaxing in the 

sauna. Saturday ended with a BBQ, 

bonfire and an evening of stargazing. 

Cider & Song 

The crisp days of autumn are the perfect 

time to watch the leaves change colour 

and take a stroll in the countryside. On 

October 14, 2017 guests at Hart House 

Farm explored the surrounding cliffs and 

caves and took baking or craft workshops. 

Of course, the best part of the day was 

pressing newly harvested apples into cider 

and enjoying a fresh glass alongside a 

hearty lunch. 

The 150-acre Hart 

House farm offers 

a welcome escape 

from the city. 

Top: Hart House Farm 


23

FOR 

BUILDING 

COMMUNITY 

Our partners help us 

to create meaningful 

opportunities to 

support, and learn 

from, a wide array of 

communities. 

To help build 

stronger and 

more inclusive 

local and global 

communities, we 

build relationships 

with local and global 

community partners 

Hart House is about community. All of 

our arts, dialogue and wellness programs 

are grounded in a commitment to engage 

with and learn from the diverse voices that 

make up our city and world. Our partners 

help us to create meaningful opportunities 

to support, and learn from, a wide array of 

communities. Through our programming, 

we work together to build a stronger local 

and global community together. 



HART HOUSE PODCASTS 

Although Hart House delivers programs 

on all three U of T campuses, and our 

community outreach takes us far beyond 

the University of Toronto, the stories that 

we hear from participants every day are 

so inspiring that we needed to find a 

way to share them even further afield. 

Hart House Podcasts began as a pilot 

project in 2017–2018 to teach students 

techniques and interview skills that will 

allow them to produce their own podcasts. 

The breadth of subjects, experiences 

and perspectives that emerged was so 

impressive that the project evolved into 

a broader program that captures these 

stories and explores topics of interest to 

our members, and aspires to enhance 

existing programs, exhibits, and lectures. 

Look for “harthouse” on your favourite 

podcast platform. 

Opposite page: Mike Auksi, Community Partner, Youth 

Recreation Project 

YOUTH COMMUNITY 

RECREATION PROJECT 

Hart House is collaborating with the 

Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical 

Education on a community-based 

research project that relies on building 

ongoing relationships with several 

community groups. Through recreation 

and sport, communities of youth who are 

often under-represented and underserved 

in education settings from across Toronto 

are encouraged to explore campus, 

connect with others, and engage with 

the full array of Hart House programming 

to explore possible interests in postsecondary 

education. 

Hart House transformed the Youth 

Community Recreation Project into a 

partnership that includes the Native Child 

and Family Services, the St. Albans Boys 

and Girls Club, The 519, and CultureLink. 

The initiative is supported by Hart House 

Recreation & Wellness staff, a research 

team from the Faculty of Kinesiology & 

Physical Education as well as placement 

students from New College Community 

Engaged Learning Program, Faculty of 

Medicine – Community Based Service 

Learning Program, and the Faculty of 

Kinesiology & Physical Education. 

Using recreation and sport as an access 

point, each group designs programs 

within the following framework: 

• Social Justice & Social Responsibility 

• Personal Development through 

educational/occupational exploration 

• Personal Development & Wellbeing 

explored through health, 

nutrition, recreation/sport and 

adventure 

• Group Projects. 

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR 

THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL 

DISCRIMINATION (IDERD) 

Hart House was a key partner and 

served as the venue for the March 

19–20, 2018 IDERD conference at the 

University of Toronto. Over 200 students, 

faculty, staff and community members 

attended over the two days. The theme 

of IDERD’s Campaign was, “Anti-Racism 

Change in Postsecondary Institutions: 

Resistance, Assessment, Measurement 

and Accountability” The conference 

addressed racialized inequities within 

the postsecondary environment and 

examined what is needed to bring about 

transformational change. The morning 

began with a keynote address by Natasha 

Kumar Warikoo, Associate Professor, 

Harvard Graduate School of Education 

and author of The Diversity Bargain and 

Other Dilemmas of Race, Admissions, 

and Meritocracy at Elite Universities. In 

conversation with Canadian scholars 

Enakshi Dua, Carl James and Alissa 

Trotz on their book The Equity Myth, 

they together explored systemic issues 

around representation and voice in 

post-secondary institutions. Day two 

focused on “Indigenous Communities 

and Right Relations: the role of listening 

and understanding”, “Islamophobia and 

Campus Culture in an Age of Empire”, 

several roundtable discussions, and 

a closing panel focused on student 

experience, building an anti-racism 

community on campus, including 

strategies on how to embed anti-racism, 

inclusivity and equity at the institutional 

level. 

SOAR 

The SOAR Indigenous Youth Gathering 

met at Hart House in March 2018 and 

began the day with a smudging ceremony 

performed by Cat Criger. Initiated and 

led by the Faculty of Kinesiology and 

Physical Education, the annual program 

is part of the University of Toronto’s 

initiative to break down barriers for 

Indigenous students who want to pursue 

post-secondary education. The visit to 

Hart House for teenagers aged 14 to 17 

included a chance to tour the building, 

take part in recreational activities, and 

learn about the variety of recreational, 

educational and Indigenous events and 

programs available at Hart House and 

other sites at U of T. 

25

HUMAN LIBRARY 

The Human Library is a worldwide 

movement for social change. First 

developed in Copenhagen in 2000, the 

project has grown and expanded to 

countries around the globe. The first Hart 

House Human Library was held in 2013 

and has become a popular annual event 

on St. George and UTSC campuses. In 

March 2018, The Human Library was 

held at UTSC campus in collaboration 

with the UTSC Division of Student Life, 

the Scarborough Campus Student Union, 

the UTSC Library and ARTSIDEOUT. The 

theme for the session was Rebirth and 

Resilience. 

Human Library events are designed to 

create dialogue, promote understanding 

and reduce prejudice. Here’s how it 

works: a collection of human “books” 

(widely varied in gender, cultural, religious 

background and age) is offered on “loan” 

to visitors. Facilitated by Living Library 

Librarians, visitors may “borrow” a human 

book for up to 30 minutes for an open 

conversation. The informal interaction is 

a positive and safe way to question and 

explore pre-conceived notions around 

race, class, gender, religion, sexuality, and 

share personal narratives in an open faceto-face 

dialogue. The hope is to promote 

deeper understanding around social 

justice, equity and diversity. 

“If my experiences can contribute 

to anybody in any way, to inspire 

somebody to want to learn about 

their own background or culture, 

or help them with their hopes 

and aspirations – if I help just one 

person, then I’ve done a good job,” 

–Mitch Robert George/Red Pine Spirit Man of the 

Turtle Clan 

HART HOUSE THEATRE 

REVIEW 

A Hart House Theatre Strategic Review 

was completed in 2017–2018 and 

involved nearly fifty individual consultation 

interviews with a wide array of key 

informants including artists, students, 

patrons and employees. 

The recommendations from this extensive 

process have created opportunities to 

explore community partnerships through 

a lens of equity and representation as well 

as a reframing of the theatre’s mandate for 

its annual season of productions. 

Examples of changes and growth resulting 

from the review include: the first season to 

be directed by a female-presenting team; 

a new partnership with Intimacy Directors 

International; and initial partnership 

talks with CPAMO (Cultural Pluralism 

in the Arts Movement Ontario) to 

explore the amplification of underserved 

voices in performance and educational 

opportunities that will explore issues of 

gender, race, place and internet space. 

Below (clockwise from left): Human Library Project; Hart House Podcast; SOAR 

Above: Black Graduation Ceremony hosted at Hart House 

CELEBRATIONS 

AND CEREMONIES 

Hart House has long been considered 

the cultural and ceremonial centre of 

the University of Toronto. Each year, we 

host hundreds of events, conferences, 

galas, weddings, performances, dinners, 

receptions and meetings for campus and 

external clients. With over a dozen unique 

rooms of varying sizes, featuring beautiful 

fireplaces, grand pianos, vaulted wooden 

ceilings, leaded glass windows and an 

unparalleled Canadian art collection, 

Hart House has a lot to offer. Students, 

staff, alumni and the greater Toronto 

community come to Hart House to enjoy 

the beauty of the building and experience 

firsthand what it means to take “Delight in 

Discovery.” 



BLACK GRADUATION 

CEREMONY 

Although many universities in the United 

States, including Harvard, have hosted 

Black graduation ceremonies, we believe 

the one that took place in the Great Hall 

at Hart House, University of Toronto in 

June 2017 was Canada’s first. Given Hart 

House’s aspiration to provide a welcoming 

space for all students, and for those who 

have traditionally been underrepresented 

at the University in particular, Hart House 

was honoured to serve as the venue for 

this auspicious event. 

Two students, Jessica Kirk and Nasma 

Ahmed, organized the event. It was a 

time for community celebration in spite 

of the many challenges that still face 

people of colour in higher education. 

Hart House strives to become a place 


27

AWARDS 

Below: Hart House staff and friends celebrating with 

2017 Arbor Award winner Jaymie Sampa (second 

from left) 

Above (from left): Event in Great Hall; Paul Templin 

Each year, our 

staff and students 

amaze us with their 

accomplishments and 

their commitment to 

Hart House. 

the generosity of a group of donors, each 

year one outstanding student leader will 

receive a cash award of $1,000. Finalists 

receive $100 prizes. For 2017–2018, the 

nominees were: 

• Angela Gu, Literary & Library 

Committee; 

• Sarah Edo, Global Commons and 

Social Justice Committee; 

• Coco Lee, Theatre Committee, U of 

T Drama Coalition and Hart House 

Committee on Budgets; 

• Edie Guo, Farm Committee; and 

• Bukama Muntu, Hancock Lecture 

Committee. 

on campus where all people will see 

themselves reflected, their experiences 

acknowledged, and their achievements 

celebrated. Serving as the venue for 

Canada’s first Black graduation ceremony 

brings us one small step closer to fulfilling 

that goal. 

PAUL TEMPLIN RETIRES 

In 2017, Paul Templin retired as Director 

of Meeting and Event Services after 36 

years with the House. We celebrated his 

achievements with a party that brought 

together family and friends from across 

the University to wish him well and to 

mark the end of an era. U of T News 

paid tribute to his contributions with an 

article, “Paul Templin: Behind the curtain 

of almost four decades at Hart House.” It 

traced his long career with Hart House, 

beginning with his role as director of 

the theatre, and following him through 

fascinating encounters with Yoko Ono, 

Christopher Plummer and Bert—the Hart 

House Theatre ghost. 

Paul established some of the largest social 

events at Hart House, many of which 

have become annual traditions. For the 

Canadian Thanksgiving dinner held on 

October 5, 2017, Paul partnered with First 

Nations House to present a meal featuring 

fall favourites and Indigenous dishes. The 

Hart House Craft Beer Festival celebrated 

its 10th anniversary on August 3, 2017 

with an eponymous brew specially created 

for the occasion. Winter Buffet held the 

week of December 12, 2017 proved to 

be a popular holiday choice for staff on 

campus. Paul’s creativity in developing 

culturally relevant and entertaining 

amusements for campus and community 

was legendary. 

Paul’s comprehensive historical 

knowledge of Hart House was expansive, 

as were the dedication and passion that 

he brought to all his undertakings. Paul’s 

contributions were many, but perhaps 

his crowning achievement was his ability 

to make all people feel welcomed. He 

literally opened the doors of Hart House to 

everyone! 

Below are some of the awards that honour 

them for innovative programs, community 

engagement and volunteer activities. 



Donor Supported 

Awards 

AUDREY HOZACK STUDENT 

LEADERSHIP AWARD 

On March 20, 2018, we had the honor 

of introducing the very first nominees 

for the annual Audrey Hozack Award, a 

tribute to the legendary 39-year employee 

and Assistant Warden of Hart House who 

passed away in February 2016. Through 


29

The inaugural award went to Coco Lee. 

In her role as Student Co-Chair of the 

Committee on Budgets, which she 

held for three years, Coco assisted in 

encouraging committees at Hart House 

to strive for maximal consideration of the 

House’s mandates for connectivity, equity, 

accessibility, and the pursuit of learning 

through experience. In 2017-2018, Coco 

created, promoted, and administered the 

Fight Directors Canada/Intimacy Directors 

International Stage Combat and Intimacy 

Consultancy Program, which provides all 

student theatre creators on campus with 

access to vital professional support for 

creating safe and effective stage combat 

and intimacy scenes. 

DONALD SUTHERLAND BEST 

PERFORMANCE AWARD 

In 1954, renowned actor Donald 

Sutherland was a student at U of T. As a 

participant in the U of T Drama Festival 

at Hart House, he won an award for best 

performance. To recognize Dr. Sutherland’s 

philanthropic support of the festival, Hart 

House Theatre has created the Donald 

Sutherland Award for Best Performance, 

which is awarded annually to an actor who 

has achieved a high level of performance 

at the festival. 

The 2018 winner of the award was Joanne 

Perez, a third-year student majoring in 

Drama with minors in English and German. 

“Tackling the subject of family, race, and 

generational differences, the play that I was 

in, Raining Petals was both a challenge in 

terms of its subject matter and the role that 

I played (a 10-year-old Korean boy) but 

was ultimately rewarding. My character, 

being required to communicate only 

through movement and non-verbal sounds, 

forced me to use and develop skills that 

other roles wouldn’t have offered. Without 

this opportunity, I wouldn’t have been 

able to grow as an actor…Performing at 

Hart House Theatre was a fun experience. 

Being in a student-run production created 

a great sense of community.” 

–Joanne Perez. 

DAVID E GARDNER 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 

PROGRAM 

The David E. Gardner Apprentice Director 

Program celebrates Gardner’s legacy as an 

award-winning actor, director and educator 

and his connection to Hart House Theatre. 

His support of the theatre helped prevent its 

closure in 2001 and shaped the direction 

and revitalization the theatre’s programming 

and mandate. The program recognizes 

student achievement through assistant 

directing opportunities and helping to foster 

the next generation of artists. 

For the 2017–2018 season, two students 

received a stipend for serving as assistant 

directors. They were Mackenzie Stewart for 

Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Max Fearon 

for The Crucible and Titus Andronicus. 

“Hart House Theatre has felt like home 

since my third year at U of T, and when 

I heard that they were producing my 

favourite show, Hedwig, I knew I needed 

to be involved in some capacity…. Hedwig 

encouraged me to grow and learn in a 

professional capacity as a theatre artist, 

but also in personal life as well and I will 

forever be grateful to have been able to 

work on this inspiring show.” 

–Mackenzie Stewart. 

“I was lucky and honoured to have served 

on two of the season’s four productions, 

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and William 

Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus. Working 

on these two plays provided me with 

opportunities to learn and grow as a 

director, collaborate with artists of various 

ages and experience levels, and discover 

new ways of approaching established, 

historical texts. This was an invaluable 

opportunity and I believe my experiences 

at Hart House will greatly impact my 

artistic development as I finish up my 

undergraduate degree in Drama and 

move into the professional world.” 

–Max Fearon. 

RUBINA KHAWAJA FUND 

RECIPIENT 

2018 was the inaugural year for the 

Rubina Khawaja Endowment Fund 

disbursement. The fund was generously 

donated by Prof. Nouman Ashraf, a 

Rotman School of Management professor, 

with the intention to foster diverse 

interfaith and intercultural dialogue among 

U of T students. 

The Rubina Khawaja Endowment Fund is 

managed through the Hart House Good 

Ideas Fund, which supports students and 

student groups that have an idea, project 

or event that aligns with Hart House as a 

place where campus meets community, 

where arts flourish, where students are 

inspired, where life skills are built and 

lasting personal connections made. 

The U of T Muslim Students Association 

(MSA) was the inaugural recipient. The 

MSA organized Islam Awareness Week in 

March 2018, a week-long series of events 

that encouraged conversations about faith 

and the Muslim-Canadian identity. 

University-wide 

Awards 

GORDON CRESSY STUDENT 

LEADERSHIP AWARDS 

The “Cressies,” as they are commonly 

known, are a university-wide 

acknowledgement of outstanding 

contributions made by graduating 

students. This year, Hart House 

nominated six winning students, all 

of whom worked towards improving 

the world around them and inspired 

others to do the same. They were 

Andrea Dimiskovska, Hart House Global 

Commons Committee; Tonny Huang, 

Hart House Chorus; Sophia Ludwig, 

Hart House Finance Committee; Sarah 

Millman, Debates & Dialogue Committee 

and Debating Club; Theresa Wang, Art 

Committee; and Katie Harris, Hart House 

Symphonic Band. 

Above: Winner of the Donald Sutherland Award, Joanne Perez (centre) pictured with (from left) Professor Jill Carter, Faculty member at the Centre for Drama and Performance, 

and U of T Drama Festival Adjudicator, Emma Keil-Vine, Drama Coalition President 2017–2018; Festival Coordinators, Abby Palmer and James Hyett 

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN 

THE ARTS AWARDS 

This award recognizes students who have 

made significant leadership or volunteer 

contributions to co-curricular activities at 

the University. Hart House was proud of 

its multiple winners: Samantha Holmes 

and James Hyett for their involvement 

with Hart House Theatre, and Theresa 

Wang for her work with the Art Museum. 

ARBOR AWARDS 

The Arbor Awards recognize alumni and 

friends of the University of Toronto whose 

volunteer work has added significantly 

to the quality of the U of T experience. 

Hart House was proud to see three of its 

volunteers receive the award in the fall of 

2017. 

Henry Janzen and Elizabeth Day were 

recognized for their many years of support 

of the Hart House Orchestra—including 

supporting the Orchestra’s historic 40th 

anniversary trip to Carnegie Hall in New 

York City. Henry has been the principal 

conductor and music director of the Hart 

House Orchestra for over a decade, and 

Elizabeth has been an Orchestra member 

since 2001, as well as the group’s lead 

trip organizer. The third Hart House 

volunteer to receive an Arbor Award in 

2017 was Jaymie Sampa. Currently a 

community organizer, performance artist, 

and researcher, she has been involved 

in Hart House activities for many years 

including her participation in From Their 

Lips, a work-in-progress play based on 

a black youth oral history theatre project 

called “Intergeneracial” performed at Hart 

House in December 2016. 

Art Museum Awards 

The Art Museum had a stellar year 

in 2016–2017 with Kent Monkman’s 

exhibit Shame and Prejudice: A Story of 

Resilience (Jan 26–Mar 5, 2017), and 

Luis Jacob’s Form Follows Fiction: Art and 

Artists in Toronto (Sept 6–Dec 10, 2016). 

The year’s success was recognized in 

2017–2018 with numerous accolades. 

The Ontario Association of Art Galleries 

Awards are province-wide, juried art 

gallery awards of artistic merit and 

excellence in exhibitions, publications, 

programs and community partnerships 

produced by Ontario galleries. The Art 

Museum won three OAAG awards: 

• Exhibition Installation and Design: 

Shame and Prejudice 

• Exhibition of the Year Budget over 

$50,000: Shame and Prejudice 

• Curatorial Writing Short Text: Form 

Follows Fiction 

The Art Museum also won a Canadian 

Museums Association Award for 

Outstanding Achievement in the 

category of Exhibition—Art for Shame 

and Prejudice. That show was also 

recognized for the excellent attendance 

numbers it had generated for Calgary’s 

Glenbow Museum, where it attracted 

some 21,172 visitors. 


31

BUILDING 

Above (from left): Hart House exterior architecture, 

Andrea Blackler testing the ALDs 

Above: Hart House interior staircase 

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE 

RENEWAL 

Hart House continues to invest in and 

steward its first and largest gift ever: the 

building itself, donated to the university 

in 1919 by the Massey Foundation. 

Consistent with Hart House’s programmatic 

focus on belonging and inclusion, physical 

accessibility is a driving imperative for 

capital renewal. Hart House is committed 

to being a leader in physical accessibility 

for heritage buildings. 

In 2017–2018, key infrastructure renewal 

projects included: 

• Design and preparation of a 

transformed Arbor Room, which, 

when it re-opens in early 2019, 

will include restoration of its 

two fireplaces, installation of an 

accessible ramp, and a permanent 

solution to its sinking floor. 

• Re-organization of the CIUT offices 

on the third floor of Hart House, 

which resulted in the creation of 

three new offices and meeting spaces 

for Hart House. 

Hart House is also working with 

its university partners to develop a 

comprehensive critical infrastructure 

renewal plan. The objective is nothing 

less than the complete renewal of Hart 

House’s main mechanical, electrical, 

HVAC, and plumbing systems, in addition 

to major accessibility enhancements 

within the Fitness Centre and Gallery 

Grill. This renewal will be driven by the 

desire to preserve the building’s heritage, 

and reduce physical barriers to student 

participation in the life of the House. The 

objective is to sustain and enhance the 

building so that Hart House’s educational 

mission can continue to inspire students 

for another 100 years. 

HART HOUSE THEATRE 

IMPROVEMENTS 

Hart House Theatre has been an 

invaluable part of Hart House since 

it opened to the University in 1919. 

The theatre is steeped in history and 

proudly so, but strategic investments to 

improve its accessibility are essential. 

The theatre was built in an era when 

our understanding of “accessibility” was 

profoundly different from that of today. 

Hart House is committed to serving all 

students. From its strategic plan, Delight 

in Discovery, the House’s highest priority 

is to provide students of all backgrounds, 

identities and abilities an exemplary, 

inclusive and welcoming experience of 

exploration and discovery essential to their 

personal and professional development. 

In 2017, based on this priority, the 

theatre planned a series of accessibility 

enhancements to improve audience 

experience in Hart House Theatre, which 

included: 

Improved accessible access to the theatre 

• Founders’ Prayer East Ramp (Aug 

2017) 

Improved in-theatre experience 

• Permanent wheelchair seating area, 

including companion seating. 

• Installation of hearing-assist 

technology. 

• Renovation of lobby washrooms 

to create fully AODA accessible 

washroom, without losing any lobby 

washroom fixtures. 

This project was launched by a $127,950 

grant from Canada 150 Community 

Infrastructure Program/Programme 

d’infrastructure communautaire de 

Canada 150. In addition, it was also 

substantially supported by two major 

donations, totaling $45,000, from the 

William and Nona Heaslip Foundation and 

the Audrey S. Hellyer Foundation. This 

accessibility project is a prime example 

of how donors and government partners 

are helping Hart House pursue its highest 

priorities. 

OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS 

COMPLETED IN 2017-18 

• Great Hall Doors (May 2017) 

• NSA Garden Irrigation (Jun 2017) 

• Space Configuration: Staff Lunch 

Room (Jun 2017) 

• Art Gallery HVAC (Jul 2017) 

• Pool Filter Room Ventilation (Aug 

2017) 

• Pool Filter Room Tank Replacement 

(Aug 2017) 

• Main Elevator Hydraulic Cylinder 

Replacement (Aug 2017) 

• Fire Panel Upgrade (Aug 2017) 

• Farm Equipment Shed (Sep 2017) 

• North Lane Resurfacing (Apr 2018) 


33

SUPPORT 

Hart House is 

committed to serving 

all students. 

HART HOUSE MENTORSHIP 

PROGRAM 

Alumni are making a difference in 

students’ lives through the Hart House 

Mentorship Program. Now in its second 

year, the program doubled in size to over 

40 pairs (80 participants). University of 

Toronto graduate students and mature 

part-time undergraduates were matched 

with accomplished alumni, friends and 

members of the Hart House community. 

Led by Hart House Advancement team 

member Andrea Blackler, this unique 

program not only introduces individuals 

of one generation to another; it matches 

whole people with other whole people 

with whom they can share common 

interests and explore differences. 

harthouse.ca/hart-house-mentorshipprogram 

Donors’ generosity 

has a direct impact 

on our ability to 

inspire students 

We are deeply grateful to all of our donors. 

Thank you for supporting Hart House. 

KING’S COLLEGE CIRCLE 

HERITAGE SOCIETY 

The King’s College Circle Heritage Society 

recognizes and honours donors who have 

thoughtfully made a provision in their will 

for Hart House, or made some other form 

of future gift commitment. 

Edward M. Bridge 

Donald Burwash 

Maureen & James Dunn 

Anne Ellis & Stephen Sibalis 

Monika H. Johnston 

Andrea Kerr 

Alan Marcus 

Barbara and Bruce Norman 

Donald M. Pamenter 

Judith R. Schwartz 

Ann & Ross Stuart 

Terry Tedesco 

Bernard A. Torbik 

Glynn T. Williams 

(2 Anonymous) 

LASTING LEGACIES 

Hart House recognizes those generous 

donors who made a gift to Hart House 

through their estates. 

The Estate of Douglas R. Booz 

The Estate of Douglas F. Dadson 

The Estate of John F. Flinn 

The Estate of Dorothy Heilbronn 

The Estate of Audrey Hozack 

The Estate of Joyce Leah Robertson 

The Estate of Gray M. Steele 

The Estate of James Stewart 

The Estate of Robert I. Story 

The Estate of Allen R. Taylor 

ANNUAL DONORS 

Our annual donor listing recognizes 

the generosity of those who have 

donated $100 or more to Hart House 

between May 1st, 2017 and April 30, 

2018. These annual donations are 

essential for Hart House to continue its 

tradition of being the gathering place 

at U of T where students have access 

to tremendous out of the classroom 

education. 

$5,000 and over 

The William and Nona Heaslip Foundation 

The Audrey S. Hellyer Charitable 

Foundation 

Fondation Céline & Jacques Lamarre 

Alan Marcus 

$500 to $4,999 

Iain Allen 

Rosemary Bolitho 

Jonathon Borland 

Edward M. Bridge 

Pulin Chandaria 

Honor de Pencier 

Bill Dowkes 

George A. Fierheller 

Barbara Fischer 

Caj Frostell 

Jacob Chaim Glick 

Jonathan R. Gouveia 

William T. Hunter 

Monika H. Johnston 

Arthur Kennedy 

Jacob P. J. Khaiat 

Horace Krever 

Helen and Larry LeDuc 

Bosko D. Loncarevic 

Larry Lundy 

Ka-Ling Martin 

Philip Maude 

Beth McCarthy 

Mary McDougall Maude 

Paul D. Paton 

Jim Phillips 

K. K. and Nirmala Puri 

Larry Wayne Richards and Frederic Urban 

Aaron Rousseau 

C. David Sadleir 

Dean Samaras 

Judith R. Schwartz 

Gary L. Segal 

Jan Seger Lambert 

Krista E. Slade 

Mark A. Slade 

Ann and Ross Stuart 

Richard and Julie Swenson 

Peter T. Tonisson 

Vernon G. Turner 

Ronald S. Veale 

Gordon F. and Katri West 

(2 Anonymous) 

$100–$499 

Sabrina E. Adamski 

Walter M. and Lisa Balfour Bowen 

Richard Bingham 

Andrea D. Blackler 

David W. Booz 

Lloyd O. Burridge 

George and Martha Butterfield 

John and Vera Chau 

Lucianna Ciccocioppo and Giulio Fazzolari 

I. Glenn Cohen 

David D. Conklin 

Susan V. Corrigan 

Graham Cotter 

A. William Cunningham 

Fernando M. da Silva 

Christopher Michael Evans 

Janet Evans 

Timothy Fort 

William P. Franklin 

Andrea B. Fritz-Bray 

Elizabeth Giesbrecht 

Tom and Mary Graham 

Lorie G. Grant 

Amanda Greener 

Stephen Henderson 

Douglas R. Hill 

John R. Hitchcock 

Helen C. Ing 

Yping Jiang and Ti Wang 

Joseph Jany 

Stephanie E. Jones 

Mark Kuhlberg 

G. G. Landeg 

Ross W. Leigh 

Mark N. Librach 

Noel A. Lim 

Camelia Linta 

Chang D. Liu 

H. Ian and Dorothy Macdonald 

Anthony L. MacFarlane 

Linda E. MacRae 

Kenneth Y. Mark 

Paul McCann 

Eric McKee 

Marian W. McKnight 

Elaine McWhirter 

Fred and Cecile Metrick 

Don Middleton and Clayton Wilson Fund 

Bruce R. Miller 

Deborah A. Mills-Wahlen 

Thomas and Elizabeth Minehan 

Joan M. Moes 

Anne E. S. Montagnes 

Eddy Morassutti 

Philip J. Neubauer 

Cynthia Nevins 

J. Corey Nicholson 

Bruce and Barbara Norman 

Edwin Peter Nowicki 

Duc Pho 

Jeewika Chandanie Ranaweera 

C. Anne Rocchi 

Heather E. Rumball 

Paul G. Russell 

Harriet Sakuma 

Marty D. Shapiro 

Catherine Siddall 

Timothy Stephenson and Katherine 

Mansfield 

Loren P. Thorburn 

Ian G. Waddell 

Andrew C. Wallace 

Nora and Ilmar Wallner 

Richard E. Westwood 

Dorothy M. White 

Elisabeth Widner 

Carsey Yee 

Adrian S. Zenwirt 

(12 Anonymous) 

We are grateful for the continued support 

of all our generous donors. We endeavour 

to make our lists as accurate as possible. 

For more information, or if you have 

questions about Hart House’s donor 

listing, please contact Peter Wambera, 

Senior Development Officer 

at 416-946-3993 or 

peter.wambera@utoronto.ca. 

We are deeply 

grateful to all of our 

donors. Thank you 

for supporting Hart 

House. 

Top images (from left): Mentorship participants 

Heather Shaw and Janice Asiimwe; Hart House 

Theatre wheelchair seating area 


35

INCOME STATEMENT 

For the Year Ended April 30, 2018 

ACTUAL 2017–2018 

REVENUES 

Student fees 9,811,927 

Membership fees 1,130,097 

Food revenue 3,374,398 

8% 3% 

OPERATING 

REVENUE 

General revenue 2,131,319 

Investment income 220,313 

Clubs & Committees’ programming 142,011 

Donations, grants & amortization 196,337 

Gratuities/Service Charge 483,745 

37% 

52% 

Operating Revenue is $17.5 million: 

Student fees: 52% 

Food and Rentals: 37% 

Membership Classes: 8% 

Total Revenues $17,490,146 

Other: 3% 

EXPENSES 

Salaries, wages & benefits 10,378,333 

General office 381,557 

Cost of sales 1,043,932 

Depreciation, loss/gain on disposal 609,803 

Clubs & Committees’ programming 455,937 

Insurance 114,920 

Maintenance 937,143 

Utilities 883,883 

Sundry expense 224,526 

Publicity, photography, printing, prizes 134,588 

Theatre production costs 47,812 

Uniforms & linen laundry 175,985 

Software & data processing 133,361 

Equipment, supplies, equip repair & rentals 670,538 

5% 

7% 

3% 

OPERATING 

EXPENSES & 

COMMITMENTS 

Operating Expenses & Commitments are 

$17.5 million: 

U of T overhead 205,704 

$16,398,021 

Operating result before Commitments & Transfers $1,092,125 

26% 

59% 

Salaries: 59% 

Capital Renewal & Utilities: 26% 

Cost of Food: 7% 

Commitments & Transfers 

Net Spending on Capital Assets 904,214 

Clubs & Committees: 3% 

Other: 5% 

Add to Internal Reserve (44,739) 

Add to Operating Reserve 28,028 

Add to Maintenance Reserve 204,622 

$1,092,125 

Excess of Revenue over Expense and Commitments $0.00 


37

CAPITAL ASSETS, RESERVES 

& ENDOWMENT FUNDS 

As of April 30, 2018 

INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL ASSETS 

ACTUAL 2017–2018 

Balance, beginning of year 3,866,191 

Increase/(decrease) in commitment 904,214 

Balance, end of year $4,770,405 

OPERATING FUND (10% BUDGETED REVENUE) 


Increase (decrease) in commitment 28,028 


DEFERRED & MAJOR MAINTENANCE 




OTHER RESERVES (I.E., PROGRAM, ART, 100 TH ANNIVERSARY) 


Increase (decrease) in commitment (44,739) 

Balance, end of year $981,393 

Total Reserves $17,258,675 

ENDOWMENTS AND RESTRICTED FUNDS 




Total Assets $21,035,720 

Opposite page: Night of Ideas 

38 HARTHOUSE.CA

HartHouseAnnualReport-2017-18

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