‘Create Victoria,” the city’s first arts and culture master plan, was adopted during city council’s last term. Developed in consultation with the many talented and creative people in Victoria’s arts and culture community, this award-winning plan’s vision is that “Victoria radiates creativity and thrives as a home to creative people and everyday artistic experiences.”
Create Victoria identified, that in order to make this vision a reality, there is a need for accessible and affordable space for artists, makers, performers, carvers and creative people of all sorts.
In 2017, it was suggested that the vacant, historic provincial courthouse in Bastion Square could both serve as a creative hub and bring renewed vitality to Bastion Square and all of downtown.
Since that time, the city has been working with the Downtown Victoria Business Association and the creative and tech communities to develop a plan to bring this vacant building back to life.
There are various visions for this provincially owned building, including that of the Maritime Museum. And there is general agreement that a vacant, iconic, heritage building in the heart of downtown serves no one. Appropriately repurposed, it has the potential to be a catalyst for positive change.
In April 2018, the city hosted a visioning session with the arts and culture community to begin planning the transformation of 28 Bastion Sq. into a creative hub. That vision included free, open, publicly accessible space on the first floor that would provide a seamless transition from the public space of Bastion Square to indoor public space. It would be an all-ages space that would be significantly dedicated to Indigenous arts and cultural practices. The upper two floors would be for artists and creative people. There could also be some small performance spaces.
Following the visioning session, Mayor Lisa Helps, chair of the Bastion Square Creative Hub Working Group, was approached by leaders in the tech community who took the opportunity to speak to the current strong relationship between the tech and arts and culture sectors in Victoria. They identified the enhanced economic development potential for both arts and tech that is created by sharing space and allowing for direct cross-pollination.
The province has undertaken a preliminary estimate that revealed a cost of $20 million to bring the building up to current standards and outfit it as a creative hub. The city continues to work with its partners in developing a detailed business plan and operating model. The federal Cultural Spaces fund has expressed keen interest in the project. Private sector and philanthropic partners are on hand as potential participants.
Arts and culture in Victoria has long enjoyed a reputation for its diversity, vibrancy and economic impact. The repurposing of 28 Bastion Sq. into a creative hub will preserve and enhance opportunities for the arts community to continue to thrive in our city.
The restoration and rehabilitation of this landmark building will breathe new life into the downtown as it becomes an exciting and inspiring centre for creativity, economic development and community connection. We stand ready to move forward when the province determines what the next steps will be for 28 Bastion Sq.
Pam Madoff is a member of the Bastion Square Creative Hub Working Group. Lisa Helps is mayor of Victoria. Jeff Bray is CEO of the Downtown Victoria Business Association.
