Vancouver Creative Hubs Receive $3 Million in Federal Support
/The following information is excerpted from a press release issued by Canadian Heritage.
The Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announces new creative hub funding in Vancouver.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced $3 million in support for two new creative hubs in Vancouver. This investment will support construction, infrastructure upgrades and facility expansion activities for the BC Artscape Society and the Vancity Community Foundation.
The BC Artscape Society is receiving $2.5 million to renovate three storeys of the Sun Wah Centre in Vancouver's Chinatown to create a dynamic, mixed-use space dedicated to artists and arts and culture organizations. The facility will also offer affordable and secure space for artist production, rehearsal, presentation and exhibition, as well as provide space for public cultural events and programming. A community steering committee will ensure that this new hub reflects Chinatown's heritage and culture.
The Vancity Community Foundation will convert the former Vancouver Police headquarters on the Downtown Eastside into a new community amenity. Funding of $500,000 will support the Foundation's renovation of the ground floor and basement of the 312 Main complex. The project will create artist studios and presentation spaces that will be available for exhibitions, performances and community events. Once completed, 312 Main will be Vancouver's Centre for Social and Economic Innovation, bringing artists, cultural entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations together in a shared space where they can collaborate and take their ideas to new heights.
This investment is part of the government's commitment, announced in Budget 2017, to construct, renovate and better equip the creative spaces and hubs that will be home to the next generation of artists and innovators.
Funding for both projects has been provided through the Government of Canada's cultural infrastructure program, the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.
