The Vancouver Island School of Art has found a new home B次元官网网址� pending approval from the City of Victoria.
In a release, VISA said plans are in process with ARYZE Developments and Purdey Group, to move into a 6,000 sq. ft. space currently under consideration as part of the proposed , in the 2500-block of Fifth Street in Quadra Village.
School District 61, VISAB次元官网网址檚 current landlord, gave notice a year ago they would be evicting the art school from its Quadra Street location (effective Aug. 31), citing a need for the building as a result of increasing enrollment.
In April, executive director Wendy Welch told the B次元官网网址, B次元官网网址淲e want to stay here, the neighbourhood wants us to stay here.B次元官网网址� The new location is just a stoneB次元官网网址檚 throw B次元官网网址� the properties border each other B次元官网网址� from VISAB次元官网网址檚 current location, its home of 13 years.
B次元官网网址淭he school has been part of the Quadra Village for 13 years and this will ensure that its integral role continues on,B次元官网网址� said Colette Baty, president of VISA. B次元官网网址淲e believe this groundbreaking project fits perfectly with the CityB次元官网网址檚 desire to incentivize developers to contribute toward cultural spaces.B次元官网网址�
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ARYZE and Purdey withdrew their initial application for the development when they heard about VISAB次元官网网址檚 dilemma.
A revised application for three side-by-side properties at the Fifth Street location will soon be submitted; itB次元官网网址檚 the first of its kind in Victoria, where a not-for-profit cultural institution will partner with a private developer.
The initiative falls in line with the CityB次元官网网址檚 Arts and Cultural Strategic Plan, encouraging investment entities and cultural spaces to work together.
B次元官网网址淲e see this as a rare opportunity to support the school and cultural arts generally,B次元官网网址� said Luke Mari, head of development with Purdey Group. B次元官网网址淵es, weB次元官网网址檙e developers, but weB次元官网网址檙e also urbanists and keeping one of the last art schools in the city is quite important.B次元官网网址�
There is strong community support for the school and a desire to keep it in the community, he added.
The new space will decrease the size VISA is used to operating in, but will include two large multi-purpose classrooms, a gallery, several studio spaces, a communal kitchen, lounge/library space and outdoor terrace.
The project is contingent on an approved rezoning from the City, but Mari said the hope is to start construction in spring 2019 with a completion date of Sept. 2020.
In the meantime, VISA is still working with SD61 to extend the lease at 2549 Quadra St.
