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