337 replies to this topic

[Citified.ca]

A recent $2.8 million donation towards the AGGV's Next Gallery was recently received, but the project remains $14 million from its goal of raising $25 million. $2 million was pledged by a developer in 2016.

 

As Halifax secures funding for $130M art gallery, Victoria's $25M 'Next Gallery' concept remains financially strapped

https://victoria.cit...ially-strapped/

[Jackerbie]

Meanwhile, the new Vancouver Art Gallery received $40M from a single donor...

[Mike K.]

I think the decision to pursue a plan on Moss Street is a major mistake. Just maintain your offices there, while a new facility should be built on the waterfront. That would receive serious government backing, especially if it were to contain a permanent first nations art component.

 

Or better yet, sell Moss Street to help finance the new-build downtown.

[Nparker]

The continued commitment to the Moss Street location is a head-scratcher.

[Jackerbie]

I assume this will be going to Council relatively soon. It was on the agenda for Advisory Design Panel on July 24, but minutes aren't up yet so I don't know the outcome.

[Mike K.]

In 2015 the budget was $21 million. Earlier this year it was $25 million. Today it is $30 million.

[Jackerbie]

In 2015 the budget was $21 million. Earlier this year it was $25 million. Today it is $30 million.

 

And yet they've opted to pursue municipal approvals for the new addition. Gutsy move, as Development Permits lapse if construction isn't started within two years.

[Mike K.]

Indeed they do. Perhaps they know something the public doesn’t yet know. They’ve also enlisted HCMA. The original design was under a different firm.

[Citified.ca]

An artist's rendering of the NEXT Gallery at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria's 1040 Moss Street lands. The $30 million expansion project has seen its budget rise nearly 50% in four years while construction timelines have been pushed back.

 

Art gallery expansion project sees budget rise by 43%, construction start pushed back

https://victoria.cit...rt-pushed-back/

[Nparker]

Scrap this proposal, find a location downtown and sell the existing property to finance it.

[Jackerbie]

Re: municipal approvals

 

Rezoning of the property was approved in 2015.

 

Building Permit application was received by the City but it is listed as "On Hold," i.e. it has not been issued. It cannot be issued until the Development Permit is approved by Council, which is the stage they're in right now. 

[Mike K.]

Ah, very good. It was supposed to say "applied for." I'll make sure that gets changed.

[Mike K.]

The costs appear to be getting out of control while both the province and the feds have only allocated small amounts (the province $6 million, while the feds $7 million, but that was only if the province would match the $7 million so the federal contribution may fall back down to $6 million).

 

Just under $5 million has been pledged by two donors alone ($2.8 and $2 million each). There are many smaller donations, I'm sure, but that still leaves $12-$13 million shy of the $30 million goal.

[Jackerbie]

Scrap this proposal, find a location downtown and sell the existing property to finance it.

 

They wouldn't make enough money on the sale of the property to build a new building, though. I can't see the Rockland property bagging them more than $10M.

[Nparker]

They wouldn't make enough money on the sale of the property to build a new building, though. I can't see the Rockland property bagging them more than $10M.

I didn't mean to imply that the sale of the Rockland property would fully finance a downtown site. A location of higher visibility would likely attract tourists and a greater number of locals and increase revenue, perhaps making additional public financing for an expansion more appealing.

[LJ]

Do tourists really go to art galleries of such small stature?

[Nparker]

The AGGV has some fantastic items in storage that rarely see the light of day due to space limitations. A larger space might also allow for more travelling exhibitions. I think a bigger, well promoted, downtown location would attract more than just locals.

[Victoria Watcher]

Do tourists really go to art galleries of such small stature?

I think they would. we could use a few more multi-hour attractions downtown.