| City council has agreed to give more than $4 million towards the creation of a long-awaited visual arts centre, but concerns about its cost and the level of support from the arts community nearly scuttled the project.
The money will be used to purchase the old AGT building on 1st Street and 6th Avenue S.W., which will be renovated to house an art gallery and artists’ space if funding from other levels of government and the private sector can be secured. The provincial government has already made a commitment to fund $3.75 million and the building’s owner, Telus, may contribute $2.5 million.
Some aldermen, however, say the city’s arts scene isn’t ready for a major visual arts centre, and the city shouldn’t contribute money to the project until the arts community can agree on its priorities.
"I’ve heard from some members of the arts communities… and (some philanthropists) are not sure we need a MOMA, or Museum of Modern Art, in Calgary, or that we’re not ready for it yet," says Ald. Dianne Colley-Urquhart, referring to the major arts institution in New York. "We have to be sure we’re not creating a white elephant here."
Ald. Ric McIvor voted against giving the money towards the project because he says the city can’t afford it.
"This is a nice idea, but we need to live within our means," McIvor says.
Other aldermen and the mayor disagreed, and the project was approved by one vote.
It’s future, however, is far from assured. More money must be raised, and plenty of logistical work must be completed before the project is final.
The project is supported by several major arts organizations, including Triangle Gallery, Truck Gallery, the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers and the Quickdraw Animation Society, all of which plan to occupy space at the centre when it’s completed. |
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