Committee Develops Strategic Plan to Support Proposed Chemainus Arts Centre
/A committee has drafted a strategic plan in support of a proposed “world-class, regional arts centre in Chemainus.” The centre, which would serve the citizens and economy of North Cowichan and the Cowichan Region, is being spearheaded by a collective called the CVCAS Arts Centre Committee — also know as The A-Team.
The committee is currently proposing the former home of a grocery store, Chemainus Foods, as the site of the new centre, though other locations are being debated.
According to the strategic plan, the proposed centre “would be a place to entertain, inform, amuse, educate, inspire, and bring people together while contributing to the local economy.” It would also:
Host small to medium-sized travelling art exhibitions that need an environmentally-controlled space;
Support small- to medium-sized performances including music and dance, that have no venues in the region of appropriate size, year-round availability and affordability with the features and quality that foster professional level productions;
Support other art forms as part of a broad community arts and culture plan, such as the literary arts;
Provide an expanded space for the Rainforest Arts retail gallery;
Provide art exhibition and performance space for local artists, dance troupes, spoken-word, speakers/lecturers, TED talks, children-oriented interactivity themes, etc.;
Provide related classroom space (and support services) for arts education and training; and
Provide space for specialty retail and hospitality services.
“Having this arts centre not only stimulates economic development, it’ll meet the growing needs of the citizen population,” said committee member Brad Grigor in a discussion with the Chemainus Valley Courier.
The A-Team hopes to complete a feasibility study by June. It encourages arts centre advocates to email artscentre@cvcas.com to join the mailing list and keep up to date with developments as they occur. To receive a copy of the strategic plan, sign up here.
