Library of Things We Can Learn from Each Other

Library of Things We Can Learn from Each Other is an evolving, temporary collection of community insights. The participatory project welcomes into circulation skills and knowledge from community members on a broad range of topics, from the everyday and instructional to abstract and conceptual. Embracing non-expert and experience based knowledge, practical, theoretical or intuitive understandings, the content of the library reflects the interests of the people who contribute to it and celebrates the unique assets each person brings to the community. In addition to the circulating collection, the Library of Things We Can Learn from Each Other contains reference material and a reading room for public use and functions as a site to browse, borrow, lend and connect.

Library of Things We Can Learn from Each Other runs September 26 - December 19.

There are a few different ways you can participate in the library:

Lend: what practical skill, niche interest or theoretical understanding can you teach someone else about? To submit an entry into public circulation, drop by the project space to talk to me in person or please fill out this form.

Borrow: what is a subject you would like to learn more about? Submit a request to borrow community knowledge by stopping by the space in person or filling out this form.

Free School: we are also inviting community members to share their skills in a group setting. Free School sessions will happen periodically and are open to anyone who is interested in hosting a session, on any topic. No previous facilitation experience is required and facilitators will receive a small honorarium for their time, as well as a small material fee if appropriate. If you’re interested in hosting a Free School session please submit an application here.

Skill Building Classes for All Lead by Creative Leaders

SCHOOL is a video-based platform featuring skill building classes for creative entrepreneurs and the curious alike. Courses are lead by self-made disruptors who have aced their way to the top outside of the traditional educational system. Through SCHOOL’s guided curriculum, they are looking to share their stories and knowledge with you.

With an increasing amount of entrepreneurial success stories, there’s a decreased pressure to be hindered by the cost of college learning. With accessible price-points and a charitable foundation, SCHOOL offers continued learning opportunities or new insight for your next career pursuit.

Current Courses

All Things Sales with Mary Young

Mary Young guides you through the process of getting your products in store or sold directly to consumers, through the development of a marketing plan.

Business & Momentum with Rachel Nguyen

Rachel Nguyen teaches you everything you need to know about keeping up momentum, tapping into your intuition, and building business relationships.

Turning Passion into Purpose with Jamal Burger

Jamal Burger discusses combining your skills with your interests, through a narrative on how he has unlocked opportunities by pursing his passions.

Urban Workers Skill Share

The Akin community has been working with the Urban Workers Project and Centennial College to put on a Skill Share this Saturday April 29th at Story Arts Centre 951 Carlaw Ave, Toronto Ontario. Join us and other independent and self-employed workers to share best practices and to learn from one another. You will connect with experts to get your most burning questions answered, share your hard earned lessons and build community. Together we’ll skill up while we envision how to make work and life more secure in this new economy. We’ve teamed up other incredible partner organizations in the freelance, labour, and arts & culture communities. We'll have lawyers, accountants and other experts on hand to lead sessions and consult one-on-one on topics like taxes, setting rates, writing contracts, branding, invoicing, getting paid on time, and what to do when that doesn’t happen. Oliver and Rachel will be doing a skill share on artist run not-for-profits. Wavelength Music and Xpace Cultural Centre will also be representing DIY organizing and artist run not-for-profits. We'll also talk about the big picture issues we're facing - like access to benefits,  income security and child care and what we can do to make change. Participants will leave with a resources tool kit that includes contract templates, resources useful to freelancers and swag from our partners.

We are proud to be able to offer on site child care for the duration of the daytime event. Please email info(at)urbanworker.ca if you require child care and indicate so in the registration form.  The earlier we have this information the better so we can make arrangements with our care providers.

The true cost of this event is $100 per person but accessibility is our top priority so we are offering a sliding scale: $20, $50 or Pay What You Can.  If you love what we're up to and can afford investing in the movement for secure livelihoods in the new economy, we appreciate you making a donation through the PWYC ticket.

Akin Projects - Skillshare: Documenting and Archiving your work

Tuesday September 13, 2016 / 7pm-9pm / Akin Collective Lansdowne Studios - 87 Wade Ave, Studio 203 / FREE / Open to the public / Space is limited. Please RSVP by signing up here: https://www.universe.com/skillshare3

This will be the third Akin Projects Skillshare event focusing on how and why we document and archive our creative work.

The Akin Projects Skillshare is a casual, moderated discussion for arts entrepreneurs and creative business people in a studio environment. Connect with your peers through practical experience at this collaborative event. Share your skills, resources, and ideas, and have your questions answered. Please come prepared to talk and share your thoughts and process when it comes to documenting and archiving your own creative work. A laptop and large screen will be available for digital presentations.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Scanning artwork and photographs
- Photographing your work
- Video documentation
- Websites and portfolios
- Curriculum Vitae
- Long term storage and preservation of artwork
- Documenting your process
- Titling and numberingand cataloging your work
- Digital presentation of non-digital work
- Documenting performances and installations

This event is free and open to the public. It is ideal for artists and makers of all skill levels.

Please bring any questions you have, and come prepared to talk about your relevant experiences. Attendees are encouraged to bring at least one thing to share with the group such as:
- and example of how you document your work (website, video, photograph, scanned file)
- a tool you use for archiving or documenting your work
- a resource recommendation for documenting services

BYOB / Feel free to bring snacks to share

Akin Projects - Skill Share for Creative Professionals

Tuesday March 8 / 7pm - 9pm / 87 Wade Ave - Studio 203 / 

FREE / Please RSVP Here- https://www.universe.com/akinskillshare

Akin Projects is excited to host our first Skill Share for Creative Professionals at our Lansdowne studios. Connect with your peers through practical experience at this collaborative event. This will be a casual moderated discussion where you can share your skills, resources, and ideas, and have your questions answered about running a creative business in Toronto.

This event is free and open to the public. It is ideal for anyone running their own creative business, but anyone is welcome to attend no matter what stage you are at in your creative career.

Topics may include, but are not limited to: 

- Brand development
- Building a web presence
- Social media marketing
- Direct mail, email promotions, cold calling
- Conducting market research
- Handling your finances
- Funding your business
- Pricing
- Licensing and wholesale
- Copyright and royalties
- Contracts, quotes and invoices
- Networking
- Professionalism
- Time management
- Professional development
- Online & local resources for your business

Please bring any questions you have, and come prepared to talk about your business and your experiences. If there is anything you would like feedback on, such as packaging for your product, or your business cards, bring those along as well! 

We also request that attendees bring a written list of your favourite resources to share with the group. This could include your favourite books, websites, city resources, print companies, service providers, or anything that you find useful to operate your business. These lists will be compiled into a pdf document that will be shared with everyone after the event. 

Please RSVP - space is limited. 

Feel free to bring snacks to share
BYOB
Coffee and Tea will be provided, BYO Mug