Project will give new life to the former Vancouver community library building

VANCOUVER – The city of Vancouver welcomes feedback on the Vancouver arts hub, a concept that will give new life to the former Vancouver community library building (1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd.) by transforming it into a vibrant center for arts and culture to serve the entire community. 

The city of Vancouver will become the steward of the former library building later this year, providing an exceptional opportunity to create a new arts hub in a space that is already meaningful to the community. Large, accommodating and eye-catching, the building can support a wide variety of activities and events. Located near educational resources, the Historic Reserve and the Downtown Arts District, many opportunities exist for partnerships that support a flourishing arts ecosystem.

Emphasizing a broad range of visual and digital arts, the arts hub could be a gathering place where people create and learn together. The current vision includes artist studios, classrooms, exhibit space, a community kitchen and a retail café. 

City staff are working with the Culture, Arts & Heritage Commission to explore options for managing, operating and financing the project. The Vancouver arts hub concept is in the early stages of planning and a wide range of perspectives and ideas are needed to help shape the future of this project.

Visit www.BeHeardVancouver.org/Vancouver-Arts-Hub to see architectural renderings and learn more. Community members are encouraged to take the online survey to measure public interest in expanding arts and culture opportunities in Vancouver. 

Information provided by city of Vancouver.