Vancouver Literary Organizations Plan Literary Arts Centre in Chinatown
/Note (January 12, 2017): An earlier version of this post indicated the core organizations involved in the project are the Association of Book Publishers of BC, Vancouver Poetry House and Arsenal Pulp Press. After the issuing of our newsletter we were informed that the core group has changed; we apologize for the error. The post below reflects the correct information.
SUN WAH CENTRE (268 KEEFER ST.)
A group of Vancouver literary organizations is spearheading an initiative to develop a literary arts centre in the city's Chinatown area. The proposal dovetails with a larger project headed by BC Artscape to open a multi-tenant creative hub at Sun Wah Centre (268 Keefer St.), which the Alliance reported on in December.
The effort is helmed by the Association of Book Publishers of BC (ABPBC), Arsenal Pulp Press, Talonbooks, Anvil Press, and the Magazine Association of BC. The endpoint, if all goes forward to plan, will be "a dynamic home for the city's vibrant publishing and writing communities," as well as providing affordable office space and a venue for author readings, book and magazine launches, and other literary activities.
Efforts around the proposed Vancouver Literary Arts Centre (VLAC) have included three feasibility studies commissioned by the ABPBC in May 2013, February 2015, and February 2016, as well as open houses and a call for tenant expressions of interest in December 2016. It is estimated that rent for prospective tenants will range from $1.50 to $2.00 per square foot per month ($18-$24 per square foot per year) for tenants all-in, though final rates will depend on renovation costs and fundraising efforts.
If you have questions about the VLAC, or want to get involved with the steering committee, please contact Heidi Waechtler, ABPBC executive director, at heidi@books.bc.ca or 604-684-0228.
