In a time when there are fewer music venues and arts spaces in Victoria than ever before, Victoria city council has agreed to create new space and opportunities for artists and community to gather.
Victoria City Councillors Jeremy Caradonna and Matt Dell championed a motion rising at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, March 14th that would see funding provided to the Fernwood Community Association (FCA).
This new funding will result in the FCA rebranding as the Neighbourhood Arts Society and Collective (NASC).
In addition to this, council agreed to provide additional funding to the Victoria Events Centre to aid them in remaining open as other venues have been shutting down.
“Victoria is known as a city that loves arts and community, so it’s essential that we continue investing in these facilities,” said Dell in a media release.
“Today we made a big commitment to provide funding to establish a new community centre in the middle of the city, and to provide a few years of stable funding for a critical arts venue in the city, the Victoria Events Center.
Dell says he is confident these investments will make life better for Victorians and the arts scene in general.
Related:
- Victoria radio station’s annual ‘Funding Drive’ feeling impact of Online News Act
- 5 books authored by women in Victoria to add to your book club must-read list
Prior to this rebrand, the CRA will have to allow the change in a formal vote at their next annual general meeting.
The basic idea is to convert their City-owned building at 1923 Fernwood Road into a more publicly accessible space.
As of now, the building includes an art gallery, Theatre Inconnu as well as some office space.
Dell and Caradonna say that the office space would be repurposed as low-cost community drop-in spaces for arts and culture related endeavours.
According to their plan, the NASC would still oversee the land-use committee in Fernwood, but only at an arm’s-length.
They also plan to upgrade the gallery and the theatre with some funds, while they will continue to be operated as they currently are.
