The Convent | Ta’n etl-mawita’mk 

Although The Convent | Ta’n etl-mawita’mk project started prior to the slew of recent construction announcements in the CBRM, it could be argued that New Dawn Enterprises' re-imagining of the Holy Angels site was the beginning of the current boom. 

Holy Angels Convent circa 1895

Following the closure of Holy Angels High School, New Dawn purchased the strategic property in Sydney's north end from the Sisters of Notre Dame in 2013. New Dawn then undertook a community consultation process which led to the concept of a centre for arts and cultural industries.

"In creating The Convent | Ta’n etl-mawita’mk, New Dawn set out to do two things," said Erika Shea, President of New Dawn. "Meet an identified community need – a demand for safe, modern, affordable, working space for artists – and provide the community with a beautiful and welcoming community gathering space."

The 36,000 square foot building was designed by Trifos Design Consultants of Sydney and DTAH of Toronto. Dora Construction was the General Contractor and construction began in 2016. The Convent | Ta’n etl-mawita’mk was completed and opened to tenants on February 3, 2020, with the final cost coming in at approximately $17 million. 

Level 1 Layout

The Convent | Ta’n etl-mawita’mk is home to more than 35 artists and arts organizations, including community radio station The Coast 89.7, Celtic Colours International Festival, and the Lumiere Arts At Night Festival. It is also home to A Better Bite Café, the proceeds of which go to support the New Dawn Meals on Wheels program, and a series of event spaces to be programmed by tenants in the building, the community, and The Convent | Ta’n etl-mawita’mk itself.

A Better Bite Cafe

"Now that we've been open for a year, we've seen the emergence of a theme,"said Shea. "It is more than just a space to nurture creation. It also connects artists with each other and the community, and enables important conversations around both art and positive social change, and how to achieve a more open and just society."  

To learn more about The Convent | Ta’n etl-mawita’mk, visit their WEBSITE HERE

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