WHAT IS A CULTURAL CENTRE ?

A Cultural Centre can be any number of things relating to culture including theatre, art, music, dance, crafting, archeology, history, writing, poetry, etc. For one link below you will even find a museum of outhouses!

I will provide links to some community based Cultural Centres. In this context a cultural centre is a multi-purpose building housing several cultural areas. In the very minimal sense a library with some gallery space is a "cultural centre" but the best are much more than this. They often reflect the local interests and opportunities; frequently arising out of unwanted buildings. Some of the best have been as close to the wrecking ball as has the old BCIVS building. I guess this shows that Belleville does not have a monopoly on short-sightedness - but it does appear we may be going for a place in the Guinness Book of Records!
Look what much smaller communities than Belleville have done. THEN GET ON THE PHONE TO THE CANDIDATES FOR THE 2003 MUNICIPAL ELECTION. IF THEY WON'T SUPPORT THE QCC WHY SHOULD YOU SUPPORT THEM?  Here is the list of candidates.



SOME LINKS TO OTHER COMMUNITY BASED CULTURAL CENTRES:
New Brampton Performing Arts Centre  The City of Brampton Ontario is embarking on a new 64000 square foot facility at an estimated cost of $33 million. And we could have had a 138,000 sqare foot facility for $13.6 million with all but about $2 million raised or pledged at the time the project was killed.
Stewart Hall Cultural Centre, Point-Claire P.Q.  It was saved from demolition at almost the last possible moment by Mrs. May Beatrice Stewart, who bought the mansion and resold it to the city of Pointe-Claire for $1. This magnificent building now houses the library, art gallery and art lending facility.
Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam BC The centre houses a 264-seat, flexible Studio Theatre, a 1500 square foot Art Gallery with adjoining Gallery Shop, a Rehearsal Hall, and three Studios providing up to 3300 square feet of space for local artists, classes and workshops. Evergreen supplements the visual and performing arts curriculum by providing award-winning workshops for school children. In an average school year, over 6000 children participate in the program.
Langham Cultural Centre, Langham BC This late 1890's building was also saved from demolition. It has received the National Prize Award, "For an outstanding contribution to heritage conservation in Canada".  It provides a venue for both performing and visual arts as well as office and studio spaces for a variety of businesses and artists. It also remembers the Japanese Canadians who were interned (78 in this very same building) during WWII. Check out their incredible Kaslo Summer School of the Arts program.
North Peace Cultural Centre Fort St. John BC This facility houses a theatre, art gallery, meeting rooms, dance studio, library and cafe. Note the annual sponsorship. Why couldn't we do that as well. It would minimize the amount needed for an endowment fund.
Rossignol Cultural Centre, Liverpool NS This fine building was saved by the genius of one man, Sherman Hines.
This rescued school building houses various galleries, apothecary museum, hunting/fishing/Mikmaq museum, the English room for small meetings and functions, a small library, etc. This has become so successful that Mr. Hines has also rescued the old town hall and installed a photography museum there.
Bar Colony Heritage Cultural Centre, Lloydminster Sask/Alta This centre  is a multifaceted facility with a museum of the Bar Colonists, a taxidermy wildlife exhibit, The Imhoff Art Collection, Heavy Oil Science Centre, community art galleries, plus a small theatre space, etc.
Charles W. Stockey Centre and Bobby Orr Hall of Fame, Parry Sound, ON  This centre reflects what made Parry Sound famous - hockey great Bobby Orr and the Festival of the Sound.

Do have a favourite I have missed? Pleases email me John R. Meale

Back to Concerned Citizens for the Quinte Cultural Centre and Library Links Page



Last Updated Sep 26, 2003 by John R. Meale