With arts space steadily being lost to redevelopment and commercial rents rising far faster than public funding, many organizations are struggling to find stable and affordable places to work.
The Victoria Sustainable Arts Coalition (VSAC) has a unique opportunity to secure a shared home in the heart of downtown that will help solve some of these problems. The VSAC is currently comprised of six artist run centres – Victoria Arts Council, Xchanges Gallery and Studios, Vancouver Island School of Art, CineVic, Errant Art Space Artists, and Flux Media Gallery.
You can find out more about the initiative here: https://xchangesgallery.org/2025/06/02/help-us-bring-the-dream-to-life-a-new-home-for-xchanges-a-cultural-district-and-cultural-land-trust-for-victoria/
The building at 722 Johnson Street will solidify the establishment of an arts and cultural district on the 800 block of Johnson Street and offers an unprecedented opportunity for visual and media artists and participating organizations. Two floors — over 13,000 square feet — are currently available. The current owners have expressed willingness to work with the VSAC to create a lasting home for the arts now, and a legacy for the future as a Cultural Land Trust. Offices and studios will be supported by shared amenities (washrooms, hallways, kitchens/break rooms, clean-up areas, meeting rooms, gallery/exhibition space, classrooms, and storage plus a street front retail area) and up to 18 affordable parking stalls.
To plan fairly and effectively, the VSAC is launching this Open Call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) to gauge additional community interest in securing space and being a part of this initiative.Through this EoI we hope to understand each applicant’s space requirements, parking needs, timelines, and level of commitment. Individuals looking for studio spaces or organizations that require office, gallery or production spaces are encouraged to submit now. We particularly want to hear from independent artists looking for short-term project space and community groups who are looking for flex space as we are planning a large multipurpose studio/gallery that can be used for workshops, presentations and more.
Individual artists and community organizations – especially IBPOC and LGBTQ2IA+ are encouraged to complete this short, 10 minute survey and let us know you are interested and what you need!
Please complete this survey by September 16, 2025. Your responses will inform space allocations and help us to move forward with a solid plan for renovation and occupancy.
We will be hosting a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 6pm at 722 Johnson Street (1st floor) for current VSAC participants and applicants of the EoI Open Call. At this session, we will:
- Share and discuss the latest updated floor plans
- Share and discuss the costing model
- Discuss governance of the building under the Cultural Land Trust.
- General Q&A
- Enjoy pizza and fellowship!
The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete. The deadline for survey responses is Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at midnight.
Please click this link or the button below to complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VSAC2025
By responding, you will help ensure that your individual or organization’s needs are considered in the planning process and strengthen our collective position as we take this important step.
Expression of Interest Survey – Click to Enter
For additional questions please contact the Co-Leads – Heidi Bergstrom info@xchangesgallery.org or Kegan McFadden ed@vicartscouncil.ca.