North Vancouver Arts Groups on the Waterfront?

The City of North Vancouver has the chance to make a significant cultural statement by including the arts industry in the development of the waterfront pier, say members of the city’s arts community.

“This is one of the most significant pieces of real estate in North America and North Vancouver is in the pretty luxurious position to do something imaginative with it,” said Reid Shier, director of the Presentation House Gallery.

“And, so far, we’ve been an active ingredient in a productive conversation.”

Shier’s comments come in the wake of the city’s first open house last week to discuss the development possibilities for the area on the pier that includes the Cates Tugs property and the city’s waterfront project office.

According to Larry Orr, the city’s waterfront project manager, the meeting drew about 60 people and did touch on the prospect of a media arts gallery moving down to the foot of Lonsdale Avenue.

The need for fresh arts facilities is not a new topic for artists on the North Shore. Shier said the groups currently residing in Presentation House – the gallery, museum and archives and the theatre – have long hoped for a replacement to their aging building.

In the Lower Lonsdale Cultural Facilities Study, a report commissioned by the city this past July, both the Presentation House’s theatre and photo gallery are considered to be regional-serving amenities and the best option for a move for either would be to the Cates Tugs building.

The study also states that the photo gallery could be a “cultural institution to greet regional visitors arriving by SeaBus and herald a cultural neighbourhood if provided a facility near the waterfront.”

“When your city has a thriving arts scene you get a bit of shine on. The press helps get the word out and give a sense of what your particular place may be,” said Tyler Russell, director of North Van’s Café for Contemporary Art, a coffee shop that also offers gallery space to local and international artists.

Read the full Outlook article here.