Government Cuts Force Closure of our Artisans’ Galleria
by Artisans' Galleria
Our mandate remains the same today as it did 40 years ago, to support the arts and artists around us. Throughout the years, since our formation, we have done remarkable things in the expression of this mandate. We raised significant funds to help build Richmond’s Gateway Theatre and the Arts Center, issued scholarships to promising artists in all levels and disciplines of the arts. In addition we gave grants to many of Richmond’s art and culture groups to assist them in their endeavors. We also gave classes of both performing and visual arts. The dedication to our mandate has been the driving force behind everything we have and continue to do. In acknowledgement of the talents of our many members, early in 2000 we opened our first retail location. This was the first of it’s kind in Richmond, a location dedicated to showcasing, exhibiting and selling our members work, and at affordable prices. Affordable because the CACR did not take nor make the normal markup found in other retail galleries. This is still our policy today. In the middle of this decade, we moved to Steveston, BC and created the Courtyard Galleria. It was a larger space, however, its location proved to be too far removed from the hustle and bustle of Steveston’s consumers. In 2008 we moved to a location directly on Moncton Street, in the heart of the village. We called this location the Artisans’ Galleria and registered the name. This 1500 square foot location allowed us to showcase even more of our member’s work and attracted members from outside of Richmond. This further encouraged the public to visit, on a regular basis, admiring the quality, diversity and creativity of our member’s work. This is the only location of this kind in Richmond and it gave wonderful exposure to the arts in our city. This was also the location where we hosted our many exhibitions and events, all free to the public. Despite our best efforts we have now been forced to close our gallery. Government cuts to funding for the arts have made it impossible for us to survive in this location. As with all non-profit organizations, we are dependent upon grants, sponsorships and donations to keep operating and to supplement our income from other sources. Money is tight; the economic climate is not conducive to impulse purchases and even with our reasonable prices, sales continue to drop. We can no longer afford our overhead and so a wonderful idea must die. However, the CACR will remain. We will re-structure the way we operate and will utilize our website www.richmondartscouncil.org to promote both member artists and events. Several unique and exciting exhibitions are in the planning stage and will take place either later this year or early next year, provided we can obtain funding. We will require grants, sponsorship and donations to create vibrant, exciting new exhibitions. We will still apply for grants, in the hope that the provincial government takes its head out of the sand, and re-instates its previous level of funding for the arts and culture. We still welcome sponsorships and donations and will give full exposure to those who sponsor an event and continue to include recognition on our website of those making a significant donation as well as issuing tax receipts. Our new mailing address will be posted on our website as soon as we have established it.
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