The Gallery is currently in an active phase of determining the best location in the Castlegar downtown core for relocation. Stay tuned to this page for more news regarding this exciting initiative.
Background
The Board of Directors for the Kootenay Gallery engaged in a Strategic Planning session in March 2014. Clear direction was given to Staff to proceed with plans to investigate the relocation of the Gallery. A relocation sub-committee was established late in 2013, and has been meeting regularly to research location, design, and community need, encompassing a strategic approach to the relocation planning.
To date, the following work has been completed;
– Initial ‘temperature gauge’ survey to Gallery members regarding their thoughts on the idea of relocation. With an excellent response rate of 28%, members reported overwhelming support for the idea of Gallery relocation.
· Stakeholder survey to artists, funders and other key individuals to gather feedback on their initial reaction to relocation as well as a high level needs assessment regarding infrastructure, programming and other suggestions regarding a relocated Gallery space. Again, the response rate to the survey was very high at 44.93% and the reaction to the idea of relocation overwhelmingly positive. Information gathered regarding the needs of this group has been documented and form the basis of the current vision for a relocated Gallery space.
· Hosted a public open house to gather input regarding the concept of relocation.
The community’s desired Arts Centre would be:
- easily accessible and centrally located
- embedded in the community and in close proximity to other attractants such as museums, shopping areas or other community facilities
- located in an area that has both pedestrian and vehicle traffic
- welcoming, relevant and accessible to people of all ages including children, youth and families
- bright, spacious and welcoming
- both a visual and performing arts space
- a facility with both indoor and outdoor, spacious, flexible visual arts display spaces
- a facility with workshop and meeting spaces, studios for artists and spaces to gather informally such as cafes, gardens and lounges
- a central hub or home to community arts organizations
- housed in building(s) or space(s) that are themselves a work of art
- outfitted with state-of-the-art technical and support services such as catering, bar, audio visual, communications, climate control, and warehousing that would support all events and programming
· Based on goals and objectives in the 2014-2017 Strategic Plan document, designed a process and framework comprised of a phased approach to the relocation concept, including Feasibility Study, Business Plan, Architectural Plans and Construction Plan.
- Following the unsuccessful outcome of actions designed to partner with the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce for a City directed building project in 2017, Outcomes from the Gallery’s 2017 Strategic Plan meetings included agreement to investigate renovating the existing gallery.
- In the process of this investigation, the City again approached the gallery with regard to a promising property located in downtown Castlegar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When are you going to start building?
A. There are a lot of steps before we start building. Ideally, we would love to start by spring 2023 but it may take longer.
Q. Are you going to renovate or demolish the building?
A. The consultants recommend that demolishing and rebuilding would be more cost-effective and environmentally safer.
Q. What are you going to do with the current site?
A. There are several possibilities and we haven’t settled on one. We want to keep it as an active, vibrant cultural space.
Q. How are you going to pay for it all?
A. We will be writing grant applications to government bodies and foundations. Right now, there is a lot of government support for new infrastructure projects. We will also be fundraising in the community.
Q. How can I help?
A. You can make a donation, renew your membership or come to a fundraiser. If you want to get more involved, pass your name on to the Gallery.