Toronto is often thought of as the New York of Canada, the comparison has some merit as Toronto is also a sprawling city known as a hub of arts and culture. Still, is this a matter of wishful thinking on Ontario’s part?

Both Toronto and New York have a diverse and well kept arts-community, thanks in large part to the cafe culture found in these cities. Independent cafes serve as affordable and accessible spaces outside the home for artists to work, often giving newer artists exposure and connections to other artists.

To find out just how much these two cities share in their relationships to arts and culture, artist Kristy Gordon—a graduate from Toronto’s OCAD and a New York City resident—joins us to discuss the roles of cafes in facilitating a city’s arts scene.