4TheRcrd Mag.

I was contacted by a vast collective of artists on Main st. to get the word out on their struggles and here it is:

“901 Main serves, as a convenient gateway to the many studios participating in the Eastside Culture Crawl–which is the densest cluster of visual art studios anywhere in Canada. Our building has been a studio building since 1972, and has established a reputation as a studio building mainly through participating in the Culture Crawl. Throughout our building, you will find a diverse range of work rendered in many different styles and mediums. Indeed, such a cornucopia of art, made available on an annual basis through the “Crawl”, helps to give Vancouver its cosmopolitan cultural flair.

Sadly however this may be the last time that this venerable old building at 901 Main Street plays host to such a joyful occasion. Not long ago a major development company named Amacon did purchase the building. The company plans to re-develop the building into a luxury condominium complex, and as a result all of the current artist tenants–some who have been here for 17 years –will be forced to move.

We are not in principle opposed to urban re-development. Nor are we opposed to the developer per se. However, what we are vitally concerned about is the rapidly diminishing amount of affordable rental space left for working artists in Vancouver. While this is not an unique problem to Vancouver, other cities such as Seattle and Toronto have recognized the need and come up with creative solutions.

Recently we have formed a committee to publicly raise this issue, in the hope that we can find a way to retain the building for its current use. At the moment we seek to co-operate with the City, the developer, and any other interests parties to explore alternative options. This might include an attempt to purchase the building to form an artists co-operate, either with private or public funds, and to work with local government to push for a policy to protect existing artist studios.

We believe our situation is merely the tip of a very threatening iceberg. We foresee a tidal wave of re-development that may threaten our arts community. We cannot accept that the loss of artist workspace will be in the best cultural, or financial, interests of Vancouver. Thus, beyond the issue of saving 901 Main Street as a studio building lays the matter of developing an enlightened policy for preserving and promoting art in the city.

With your help, we can create a great city that protects artist studios. Sign our petition today! Thank you.”

IMAGE CREDIT: http://www.rsc.org.uk/transformation/popup-images/pg33_courtyard_construction_2.jpg