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 Dawn Oman works on the mural inside the Seventh Day Adventists' Church gymnasium that now graces a wall at Sutherland's Drugs. Oman supports the idea of an artist-run centre that would provide studio and gallery space. - NNSL file photo |
The feasibility study is costing $26,000 -- half of which came from the City of Yellowknife, and half from the federal department of Canadian Heritage.
Trevor Kasteel, treasurer of the Aurora Arts Society, said the study would be instrumental in getting a free-standing arts centre for the city -- if the study determines one is needed.
"It's a much stronger push to get something of that nature when you have the numbers to back you up," he said.
The feasibility study being conducted by Greg O'Neill of Big Idea Consulting will examine what the current situation is for artists in town.
"It will examine where they are, what space they occupy and what amount of space they occupy," said Kasteel.
Kasteel said the study would determine what kind of arts centre Yellowknife needs, and make a short list of potential sites.
The feasibility study is phase two of the society's three-phase arts centre project. The first phase was a focus group, comprised of artists, to determine interest in an arts centre. The third phase will be to come up with a business plan and facility strategy for the centre.
"It either has to be self-sustaining or it will need core funding every year," said Kasteel.
Kasteel's best case scenario is the construction of a free-standing arts centre on the site of the Gerry Murphy Arena.
It would be a building that would house an auditorium and galleries, as well as studio space for all kinds of arts, including visual arts, music and drama.
Kasteel can visualize an arts centre on the lakefront and audiences walking out along Frame Lake after an evening performance.
Artist Dawn Oman supports the idea of an artist-run centre.
"The art galleries cannot handle enough of artists' work," said Oman.
"If there was an artist-run co-op, they could feature a different artist every month, or there could be group shows. It would be great."
Playwright Ben Nind also supports the study and the centre.
"There's no question that an arts centre is needed," he said.
"The feasibility study is a good process step."
The Aurora Arts Society's study comes on the heels of the Yellowknife tourism plan, which was administered by the Aurora Arts Society for the City of Yellowknife.
The plan indicated it was time to begin nurturing cultural tourism.
"You need to be able to showcase the arts in Yellowknife a lot better than the way it's being done," said Kasteel.
