City awards nearly $400K in grants for venue renos in Victoria

Seventeen arts and cultural organizations have received grant funding as the City of Victoria looks to improve venues in Victoria.

Among the nearly $400,000 in cultural infrastructure grants issued by the city was about $250,000 to support upgrades to performance and rehearsal spaces, and roughly $150,000 for accessibility upgrades. Twenty venues applied for funding.

Six recipients are organizations located within the downtown core. “The arts and culture sector was hard-hit by the pandemic and high market rents continue to make it challenging for these groups to thrive,” Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said in a statement.

“Affordable and accessible cultural facilities are an essential part of the community. The Cultural Infrastructure Grant program helps organizations make much needed infrastructure improvements and ensures all Victorians can benefit from arts in our city.”

White Eagle Polish Hall and La Société francophone de Victoria each received $50,000 for accessibility upgrades, while Ballet Victoria received $40,000 for a washroom renovation. Arts on View, which is home to Hermann’s Jazz Club and Hermann’s Upstairs, received $36,122 for planning related to the construction of an elevator.

Other successful applicants include Pacific Opera Victoria, Theatre SKAM, the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and Dance Victoria.

Funding for lighting, technological, and sound equipment is expected to reduce operating costs for the recipients, which include live music venues, visual art and museum spaces, and performing arts centres.

The full list of recipients is available at victoria.ca/cig.