Proposed Site for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV)
Reliance Properties has worked with the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) to identify a proposed location for the Gallery, within the first phase of the Capital Culture District development. The site is located at the corner of Discovery and Store Streets and will have a public square as the entrance from Chatham and Store Street.
The AGGV embodies many attributes of the Capital Culture District with a focus on art, innovation, history, community, and culture. Their programming, community events, and galleries will create a place to honour and celebrate the arts within the Capital Culture District and Victoria as a whole.
Phase I site boundary
Their experience and commitment to working with artists and curators from many communities, particularly those traditionally underrepresented or un-represented, as well as their diverse programming and community events will contribute to the vibrancy of this development in the downtown core. Known for their renowned Asian collection, the AGGV’s proximity to Victoria’s historic Chinatown district will create new opportunities for collaboration. It is important to the overall site success that there is diversity and inclusion throughout the Capital Culture District, and the AGGV is committed to this mission.
We encourage the kind of learning that comes from activating spaces and people by providing opportunities for critical thought and meaningful dialogue.
Community Building
The AGGV is well known for their TD Art Gallery Paint-In, Vancouver Island’s largest art event, which brings over 30,000 artists and art-lovers to Moss Street every July. In a newly built downtown location, the Gallery will be able to create opportunities to bring artists and the community together for celebrations of arts and culture.
The AGGV is committed to supporting local artists in the development and facilitation of creative programming. The downtown location within a neighbourhood focused on arts and the presence of live-work artist spaces within the same development creates the perfect opportunity to bring artists and the public together. The presence of the AGGV in the north end of downtown Victoria will create a corridor of culture from the south end of the city, home to the Royal BC Museum reaching to the new Capital Culture District, and anchored by the AGGV.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is thrilled to have this opportunity to relocate to the City’s Arts and Innovation District, with the help and support of Reliance Properties, the City of Victoria, our many members and funders and donors. Our board of directors unanimously supports Reliance’s proposal, that the AGGV be the designated community amenity for the rejuvenation of this part of Downtown and Burnside Gorge.
— Janyce Ronson, Acting Director - AGGV, at the Joint Community Advisory Land Use Committee (CALUC) meeting (September 21st, 2021)
Timing
Following the rezoning application, a detailed plan for the first development phase will begin. This will include the proposed art gallery, an applied industrial arts building, fine arts building, public square and street frontage improvements.
To connect with the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, submit a comment through their website at https://aggv.ca/contact-us/.
We are at the start of this transformative project, and we look forward to your suggestions, ideas, and questions.
