2 Vancouver art organizations struggling with studio spaces amid financial woes – BC | 24CA News
Two areas designated to the Vancouver artwork scene are vulnerable to being misplaced attributable to monetary struggles.
Beaumont Studios employees mentioned their beloved artwork hub is in jeopardy attributable to actual property prices and monetary impacts lingering from the pandemic.
The studio mentioned together with pandemic-related monetary woes and the rise of lease and property tax — which has elevated round 20 per cent in three years — it’s coping with “crippling overhead and debt.”
“The Beaumont Studios is more than just a building; we are a modern-day inclusive community center; a living and breathing entity that once experienced cannot be easily forgotten,” mentioned Jude Kusnierz, the studios’ founder and inventive director.
“We take an incredible amount of pride in the community that we have built together. We urgently seek your support to keep our doors open. Our creative community depends on it, and time is of the essence.”
The studio has created a fundraising marketing campaign to try to save the studio, together with a GoFundMe, which has raised $38,000 to date with a objective of $42,000.
“We are extremely grateful for your donations and for any help spreading our campaign far and wide,” Kusnierz mentioned. “Together, we can ensure that The Beaumont Studios continues to be a vital creative hub for Vancouver’s arts community.”
More than 100 full-time artists use the studio area, employees mentioned.
Vancouver’s eatART Foundation additionally mentioned it’s shedding its lab area on Great Northern Way, which has been its residence for 15 years.
“It is with saddened hearts that we, the eatART Foundation, are informing our broader community of the impending loss of our lab space,” employees mentioned in a launch. “We are now facing the daunting challenge of finding a new home.”
The non-profit group is asking the general public for assist in discovering a brand new area or attainable companions that might band collectively to discover a area.
“Despite this news, eatART will continue to assist with innovative projects that push the boundaries of art and technology and will do their best to support the projects that are currently active at our lab,” employees mentioned.
“Two new projects to highlight include; resident artist Sandra Bérubé’s work in progress, titled “Life is a Circus”.
“This project, made possible by the Canada Council for the Arts, is a tribute to finding the strength and courage to harness the madness life can be.”
EatART mentioned, together with the Beaumont Studios announcement, it’s clear that it’s troublesome for artists in Vancouver to search out reasonably priced areas within the metropolis.
“We hope that with the help of our community, we can find a solution to the challenge that has been placed before us,” employees mentioned.
The B.C. Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports was not accessible for an interview on Sunday however did present a press release relating to provincial assist for the artwork sector.
“The last three years have been incredibly challenging for people in the arts sector in B.C. Since day one, the government has been working closely with people in the industry to understand the challenges, hear their suggestions on recovery and provide support,” a spokesperson mentioned.
“We recognize that arts and culture are critical to the well-being of societies and support healthier and more vibrant communities.
“That’s why the province provided relief support for artists and organizations to support the B.C. arts and culture sector in building back strong.”
The province is offering $42 million for arts and tradition in its 2023 funds.
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