Vancouver Art Gallery Proposal

7/30/2019 Vancouver Art Gallery Proposal

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VAGSACommunityCenteredVisionofTheVancouverArtGallerySystem

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DiversityandPlurality:ThePublicsArtonExhibitioninVancouver

Preface

The$150MillionSolution(Iconicbuildingsplus$25millionforacquisitions)

TherehasbeenmuchdiscussionoflateaboutdirectionsfortheVancouverArtGallery.Unfortunately,muchofthisdiscussionisfocusedonasinglelargebuilding,a300,000squarefoot,$300millionbuilding.Thefocusputsthecartwellbeforethehorse,astheformtrulyshouldfollowthefunction:beforediscussingabuildingitisnecessarytoknowwhattheVancouverArtGallerymustdotofulfillitsresponsibilitiestothecommunitiesofVancouver.Detailsofthisbig-boxproposalarescarce,asarepublicallyavailabledocumentsthatprovideevidencethatsuchabuildingisbothappropriateandprudent,bothofwhichareessentialgiventheeconomicrealityofthecityandtheprovince.

ThisdocumentreflectsourperspectivesontheresponsibilitiesoftheVancouverArt

Galleryanddetailsastohowbesttomeetthem.WeareproposingthattheVancouverArtGallerybetransformedintotheVancouverArtGallerySystem,anorganizationofdiverse,dispersedandspecializedexhibitionspacesfocusedoncommunityaccesstoaniconicartcollection.ThisstructureisbasedonthenatureofVancouveranditscommunities,ontheresponsibilityoftheVancouverArtGallerytothese,andontheopportunitiesandconstraintsonpublicandprivateexpendituresonthearts.Thereisnothingrevolutionaryinourproposal,asitfollowsthedecentralizationofexhibitionspacesevidentinmanyothercities;noristhereanythingexcessiveaboutit,asitstrivestomeetcommunityresponsibilitiesinthemosteffectiveandefficientway,respectingtheconstraintsnotonlyonvisualartexhibitioninVancouver,butthoseonartfundingingeneral.

Forconvenience,belowisachecklistoftheelementsofourproposal:

-aniconicbuilding;-anewdowntownexhibitionspaceformajorshows;-acustomdesignedspaceforaGalleryofConceptualPhotography;-acustomdesignedspacefortheCanadianHistoricalCollection;-adedicatedbuildingforstorageandadministration;-fourthematiccommunitygalleries;-nointerruptioninexhibitionofthecollection;-atotalconstructioncostof$125million;-$25millionforacquisitions;

-astatementofvisionandstrategy;and-afinancialplananddevelopmentschedule.

Thankyoufortakingthetimetoread,consideranddiscussourproposal.Yoursrespectfully,

Bob Rennie David Baxter


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DiversityandPlurality:PublicArtExhibitioninVancouver

AProposalByBobRennieandDavidBaxter

Introduction

ThesebriefnotesareourcontributiontothecurrentdiscussionaboutthefutureoftheVancouverArtGallery(VAG).Recentlymuchofthisdiscussionhasbeenframedinthecontextofalocationaldecision,ofwheretheVAGshouldbelocated,aproposalapparentlyinvolvingsome$300millionand300,000squarefeetofspaceatasinglesiteinthedowntowncore.Itistrulyunfortunatethatthediscussionhasbecomeoneofthesizeofabuilding,whenthediscussionshouldbeaboutthedesiredcontentandexhibitionofVancouverspublicartcollection.

Implicitinanydiscussionofwhereisavisionofwhat,oftheVAGsrolesandresponsibilitiestothediversityofpeopleandcommunitiesofVancouverandhowitshouldfunctionwithrespecttothese.Itistheseresponsibilitiesthatshoulddrive

thediscussionofbuildingsandlocations,asformshouldnotonlyfollowfunction,butinfactsupportit.ClearlyifbuildingsandlocationsevolvefromtheVAGsresponsibilities,theywillenhanceitsengagementwithVancouver;iftheyignoretheseresponsibilities,theywillimpedethisengagement-sodecisionsbetterbedemonstrablytherightones.

Art1isnotmereuselessbeauty,butratherperformsimportantsocialandcommunityfunctions,therebyexplainingtheroleoftheCityofVancouverasthedefactoprincipalintheVancouverArtGallery.Artholdsamirrorforustoseeourselves,itholdsalensforustoseeothers;itshowsuswherewecamefrom,wherewearegoing,andwherewemightgo.Artgivescomfortanddiscomforts,it

answersandquestions,itengagesandalienates,itoffershopeandportendsdespair.Arthelpsustonotmerelyexist,buttolive,withourselvesandwitheachother.Itcompelsustoengageindialogue,andithelpsustobetterunderstand,therebycontributingtobuildingandsupportingcommunities.

Itisartsroleinsustainingcommunitiesthatjustifiespublicvisualartexhibitionsandcivicgovernmentengagementintheartinstitutionbusiness.Certainlytherearelessprosaic,economicdevelopment,reasonsforpublicsectorinvolvementinthearts:weliveinaculturaleconomy2wherenotonlyistourismpulledbythearts,butwhereretentionandattractionofworkersissignificantlydependantontherelativeculturallifeofcommunities.Butthecorereasonremainstheroleoftheartsincivic

discourseandengagement,andtheneedtohaveart,anddiscourseaboutart,accessibleandaccessedbythepublic.Hencethepeopleandcommunitiesof

1Inthecontextofthisdiscussion,whilewereferspecificallytothevisualandplasticarts,theprinciplesconsideredhereequallyapplytotheotherdisciplinesofcreativeexpression.2TherecentlyopenedLouvresatelliteatLens,Calais-Pas-de-Nord,France,hasanexpliciteconomicdevelopmentpurpose,tobringtourismandEurostoaneconomicallydepressedregion.GangnamstylehasbeencreditedwithbringingmoreeconomicfocusonKoreathanyearsoftraditionaleconomicdevelopmentactivity.


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Vancouver,andtheCityofVancouver,haveafundamentalinterestnotmerelyintheoutcomeofdecisionsconcerningtheVAG,butalsoinparticipatinginboththediscussionleadinguptodecisionsandinbeingrepresentedintheirmaking.

Itisessentialthatsuchdecisionsnotbemadeinisolationbyfocusingonlytheinterestsofthissingleartinstitution.Atthebestoftimes,fundingfortheartsfrombothphilanthropyandgovernmentarehardtocomebyinVancouver,andnowismostcertainlynotthebesttimes.Inthisneweconomy,nooneinstitutionshouldseekadisproportionateshareoftheavailableresources,therebyattemptingtocannibalizethefundingfromeitherpublicresourcesorprivatephilanthropyforotherinstitutions.FundingchangefortheVancouverArtGallerymustbeappropriateandprudentbothspecificallyandwithinthebroadcontextofartsfundingnowandinthefuture.ThefollowingisaproposalfordevelopmentoftheVancouverArtGallerySystem(VAGS)anditscollectioninawaythatreflectstheresponsibilityofVancouvers

publicartinstitutiontofacilitateVancouveritesengagementwithartandwitheachotherthroughtheestablishmentofpartnershipsandthedevelopmentofaccessibleexhibitionspacesinVancouvercommunities.Inpreparingthisproposal,weemphasizethattheresponsibilityofpublicartinstitutionsistoart,peopleandcommunities,nottobuildings,andthatoursisnotarevolutionaryproposal,asitfollowsamodelwidelyusedinotherregions.

Readerswilldiscoverthattwodistinctthreadsrunthroughtheproposal.Thefirstisanemotionalthread,onethatenvisionstheVAGShavingafundamentalroleincommunitybuildingandcommunityengagement,insustainingandsupportingVancouver,bothculturallyandeconomically.Thesecondthreadislesslofty,asitlooksforevidence-baseddecisionmaking:$300millionand300,000squarefeetarebignumbers,andthedecisiontocommittosuchaproposaloranyother(includingours)mustbesupportedbyindependent,objectiveandempiricalanalysisthatdemonstratesthatthedecisionisthemostappropriateandprudentone.

Decisionsaboutcollections,buildingsandlocationshavetobeindependentofpersonalities,aspersonalitieswillchangeoverthedecadesthatVancouverliveswithVAGSdecisions.TheconstantsaretheresponsibilitiesofVancouverspublicartinstitutionstoVancouverscommunities,andtherequirementthatdecisionsbetheonesthatwillbestservethismandate,andthepeopleandcommunitiesofVancouver,overthecomingdecades.

Torespondtotheimmediatediscussionofsizeandlocationthisproposalstartswithadescriptionofwhatweareproposingbeforepresentingthebackgrounddiscussionofwhyitisproposed:

-PartOnecontainsaspecific,coherentandcosted15-yearvisionandstrategyfortheVAGS,outliningthedevelopmentofpartnershipsforartexhibitionofapproximately180,000squarefeetofexhibitionspacesand95,000squarefeetofstoragespaceat7distinctvenues.


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-PartTwoconsidersartandartinstitutions;costsandefficiency;andthediversenatureofthepopulationandcommunitiesofVancouvertowhichtheVAGSisresponsible.Italsodocumentsthewidespreaduseofadecentralizedgallerysysteminotherregions,rangingfromHonolulutoLondonandParis.

Pleasenotethatwhilewehavegonesofarastopresenttimingofdevelopmentandcosting,andevennamesforsomeofthefacilities,thesearemeanttobeillustrativeasaconstructfordiscussionratherthandefinitivewearespecificonlytoprovidegroundingforwhatwehopewillbethereadersfocus,a15yearvisionforpublicartexhibitioninVancouver.

Thisproposalwill,wehope,stimulatediscussion,debate,anddiscourse,therebycontributingtoabetterdecisionaboutthefutureoftheVAGS.Weaskthatyourespondtoitbyarticulatingyourperspectives,sharingthemwithyourfriendsandcolleagues,andforwardingthemtotheBoardoftheVancouverArtGalleryandTheCityofVancouver,therebyparticipatinginthediscussion,andultimately,inthedecisions.

Outofallofthis,whatmustbeforthcoming,fromtheCityofVancouverandtheBoardoftheVancouverArtGallery,isevidencethatalldecisionsabouttheVAGSarebasedonindependent,objectiveandempiricalevaluationofalloffeasibleoptionsinlightofthefiduciaryresponsibilityoftheVancouverArtGallerytotaxpayersanditscivicreasonabilitytothepeopleofVancouverandtheirart,thecollectionoftheVAGS.Weaskfornomore,andnoless.


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PartOne:ElementsoftheProposal

I.TheResponsibilityoftheVAGS

Fromourperspective,itistheresponsibilityoftheVancouverArtGallerySystem

tosupportcommunitiesandcommunitybuildinginVancouverthroughengagementintheexhibitionsofartthatareaccessibletothesecommunitiesandthedevelopmentofacollectionthatwillfosterthisengagement.

II.VAGSStrategicGoalsfor2027

1.TheVAGSoperates180,000squarefeetofartexhibitionspaceslocatedinandaccessibletothecommunitiesofVancouver.Theseincludethreelargerexhibitionspacesinthedowntowncore(aGalleryofConceptualPhotographyandaGalleryofHistoricalCanadianArt,bothofwhichareinthecurrentRattenbury-designedvenueandanewspaceforaGalleryofContemporaryArt)andfoursmallerspecializedexhibitionsspacesinVancouvercommunities(ArtsPlaces).

2.TheVAGSistheleadpartnerintheoperationofArchiveArt,a108,000squarefootadministration,storage,restorationandpreservationfacilityatanappropriatelocationforstorageandbackofthehouseadministration.

3.TheVAGSissupportedandsustainedbyanactiveandengagedcommunityofprivatephilanthropists,assageadvisorsandasdonorsofbothcollectionsandfunds,andbythecommunitiesofVancouver.

4.TheVAGSisactiveandengagedinapartnershipoflocal,regionalandnationalartinstitutions,eachworkingtosustainandsupportitsownandothersuniqueandfocalstrategieswithrespecttoacquisitions,exhibitionsanddevelopment.

III.PrinciplesShapingAttainmentoftheStrategicGoals

1.Onthenationalandinternationalscale,Vancouverisasmallcityinasmallregion.TheVAGScannotbeallthingstoallpeopleanditcannotbeworldscalebutitcanbeworldclass,havingauniquefocusandaknownanddefineddifferencefromothercollectionsandinstitutions.Todosoitmustfocusonitscomparativeadvantagebydoingwhatitisbestsuitedtodoratherthantryingtodoabitofeverything.TheVAGSmustarticulatealong-termvisionforitscollectionandexhibitionsthatreflectsitcorecompetencies,andthenpursuethisvision.

2.Collaborationandpartnershipsaremoreproductiveinbuildinganddisplayingcollectionsthanisolationandcompetition.Focusedalliancesandpartnershipswillhelpallpartiesinachievingtheirgoals:theVAGScannotandshouldnotcompetewithMoA,AGOorTheNational,butrathershouldcollaboratewiththem.TheVAGSmustworkwithandsupportotherstoachieveitsacquisitionsandoperationgoals.


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3.Vancouverisnotinaheadofficeregion,andhencewhilethecorporatephilanthropyitenjoysisgreatlyvalued,itisnotandwillnotbesufficienttosustainVancouverspublicartinstitutions.TheVAGSmustrelymuchmoreonthephilanthropyofindividualsandattractprivatecollectorsanddonors.

4.TheVAGSresponsibilityistothepeopleandcommunitiesofVancouverandtotheirart(thecollectionoftheVAGS).ThisresponsibilitymeansthattheVAGSmustarticulateavisionofitsfutures,andplansandstrategiestoattainthese,allofwhicharecommunicatedtoandknownbythepeopleandcommunitiesofVancouver.PlansforanddecisionsabouttheVAGSmustbeexpressedintermsofart,people,andcommunities,notintermsofarchitectureorbuildings.

5.Vancouverisplaceofdiversity,ofdiversevalues,interestsandcommunities.ThevisionandtheoperationoftheVAGSmustnotonlyreflectdiversitybutmustalsoactivelyengageinitsexpressionandlife.

6.Moneymatters:nopurposeisservedinhavingtheVAGSsstorageandbackofficeadministrationinthedowntowncoreontheregionsmostexpensiveandpublicallyaccessibleland.Choicesmustbepriced:engagementinartmeanshavinganengagingcollection,andhencedecisionsmustbemadebetweenspendingonsoaringmarblelobbiesoronacquisitionsandendowments.Decisionsaboutartcollections,exhibitionsandbuildingsmustreflecttheVAGSfiduciaryresponsibilitytotaxpayersanditscivicresponsibilitytoprovideforengagementinart,andhencemustmeetefficiencyandeffectivenesscriteria.

IV.ElementsandStepsinAttainingtheStrategicGoals.

A.OrganizationalPartnerships:

Fundamentaltoachievingitsstrategicgoals,theVAGSmustbecomeanengagedandactiveleaderinthedevelopmentofpartnershipsthatwillensurethatitmeetsitsresponsibilities.Foursuchpartnershipsarerequired,allofwhichshouldbeestablishedimmediatelysothattheymayprovideguidanceastheVAGSmovesfromvisiontoimplementationanddevelopment.

1.CommunityofMuseumsandGalleries.VAGSmustleadinthedevelopmentofpartnershipswithotherinstitutionsandagenciesengagedincollectionandexhibitionofart,inordertohelpeachandalltoachievetheirgoals.Whilemuch

ofthispartnershipwillbelocal,withformalengagementwithinstitutionssuchastheMuseumofAnthropology,theBelkinGallery,theBillReidGallery,EmilyCarrUniversity,andothers,itmustalsoberegional,involvingthegalleriesofothermunicipalitiesintheregion,andnational,includingtheAGOandtheNational.

Whilesuchpartnershipswillbeconcernedwithhigh-levelissues(acquisitions,specializations,andcuratingandcoordinationofshows,etc.),theymustalsoaddresspracticalissuessuchassharedticketing(aswiththeParismuseum


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system),dayprograms,andstorageandmaintenance.OneearlytaskforsuchapartnershipwillbethedevelopmentofArchiveArt,theproposedartstoragefacility,whichcouldprovidestoragenotonlyfortheVAGScollection,butforothersaswell,sharingboththecostandthevalueofthefacility.

Additionally,articulationandsupportofeachinstitutionsfocuswillensurethatthereisnoduplicationofeffort,orofbricksandmortar,orcompetitionforacquisitions:answeringsuchquestionasWhichinstitutionwillbethechampionofcontemporaryFirstNationsart?andShouldEmilyCarrUniversityplayagreaterroleinthearteducationprogramsofotherinstitutions?willalsoprovideausefulfocusforthispartnership.

2.CommunityofPrivatePhilanthropy.InordertobuildthephilanthropythatwillsustaintheVAGSintermsoffinancing,collectionsandendowments,itisessentialtoengagethosewhomightbebenefactorsoftheVAGS.HavinglosttheAudaincollectiontoWhistler,itisimperativethisengagementtakeplacenowtostemthelossofphilanthropytootherplaces.Inordertodoso,itisessentialtofindoutwhysuchindividuals(andgroups)woulddonatemoneyandcollectionstoVAGSandrespondtothesereasons.Apermanentadvisorycouncilofcollectorsandbenefactorsmustbeestablished,allowingVAGStolistento,learnfrom,respondto,andrespect,them.

Itisanticipatedthatoneofthemajorobjectivesofpotentialbenefactorswillbethattheircontributionsandlegacybeacknowledgedandthattheircollectionsbeshown,ifnotpermanentlythenfrequentlysomethingthatwillrequiremore,andunique,exhibitionspacessuchaspresentedinthisproposal.Inparticular,thecommunitygalleries,whichwehavecalledArtsPlaces,havethepotentialforbeingsignificantmagnetsforfocusedphilanthropy.

ThisCommunityofPrivatePhilanthropywillbemostinterestedintheVAGSslongtermvisionforitscollectionandexhibitionsandthediscussionsoftheCommunityofMuseumsandGalleriesasthesewilleffectivelyidentifythebrandandspecializationofnotonlyVAGSbutofotherinstitutionsaswell,criticalinformationforbenefactorsinmakingplansforbequests.

3.CommunityofArtsPlaces.Foursignificant12,000squarefootexhibitionspacesinVancouvercommunitieswillreflectthedepthofVAGSresponsibilitytosupportcommunitybuildingandengageinthedailylifeofcommunitiestheywillalsoprovidetheopportunityforexhibitionfacilitiesthatattractfocused

benefactorsandcollections.Todesignandconstructthesefacilitieswillrequireaprocesswherebenefactorsandresidentsprovideguidanceconcerningthespecialization,characterizationanddevelopmentoftheseArtsPlaces.Thetaskofthisgroupwouldbeginataconceptuallevel,workingwiththephilanthropygroup,toarticulateopportunitiesandorganization,beforefocusingonaproposalforthefirstonesuchopportunityin2014.Notethatwhilewehaveproposedfoursuchspaces,theirnumberandsize,aswellastheirlocationandspecialization,


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wouldinevitablydifferasaresultoftheengagementofthephilanthropicandresidentcommunities.

4.EstablishPlanningandDevelopmentCommitteesforeachspecificphysicalstructureasdetailedinthenextsection.

B.PhysicalStructures

Fromourperspective,inorderfortheVAGStomeetitsresponsibilitiestoVancouverscommunities,itwillneedtofocusandenhanceitscollection(discussedinIV.C.following)anddevelopanumberofspecializedartexhibitionspaces.Inthislatterregard,weproposetheretentionandredevelopmentofthecurrentGeorgiaStreetbuildingandthecontinuationoftheOffsiteatShangriLaplusthedevelopmentofanewmajorexhibitionspaceforcontemporaryartindowntownandoffourcommunitygalleries.ThissectionconsidersthesephysicalelementsrequiredtotheachievementoftheVAGSstrategicgoals,workingfromredevelopmentoftheexistingtothedevelopmentofthenew.

1.ExistingElementOffsiteatShangri-Laexhibitionspace-unchanged

2.ExistingElementCurrentGeorgiaStreetVenue.

Currentlythis165,000squarefootvenue3has40,000squarefeetofexhibitionspace,45,000squarefeetofstoragespaceand80,000squarefeetofspaceusedforshops,restaurants,administration,entrances,exits,lobbyandcorridors.

DuringthecurrentdiscussionofthefutureoflocationoftheVAGS,muchhasbeensaidabouttheneedforaniconicarchitectdesignedgallerybuilding

well,therealreadyisone.Intermsoficonsandarchitectsdesigns,itishardtotoptheiconiccharacterandiconiclocationofthisRattenbury-designedNationalHistoricSiteandClassAheritagebuilding,particularlywhenitisrenovatedtohousethecollectionoftwooftheVAGSunquestionedcorecompetencies,theCanadianHistoricalCollections,builtaroundCarrandtheGroupofSeven,andtheFoundationofConceptualPhotographyCollection,builtaroundnotablessuchasWall,Douglas,Graham,andWallace,tonamebutafew.

Tousethisstructureandlocationtoitsfullestpotential,thestorage4hastogotowhereitbelongs,whichisnotindowntown(seeIV.B.3,below).Oncethisis

done,themainandupperfloors,comprisingsome40,000squarefeetofspace,willberedevelopedintodedicatedexhibitionspacefortheCanadianHistoricalCollection.Wehaveprovided$425persquarefootforredevelopmentofthis

3AllmeasurementsreferringtotheRobsonSquareVenueandthebigboxproposalforasinglebuildingreplacementarebasedoninformationthatwehavebeenabletoobtainfrommediapublicationsandaresubjecttoclarification.4Storagehereisusedtoincludepassivestorage,maintenanceandrestoration,aswellrecordkeepingandotheradministrativeactivitiesnotrequireddowntown.


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space(atotalcostof$17million),anumberthatmanywillseeasinordinatelyhighbutwhichwechoseinordernottobeaccusedoflow-ballingthecosts.

Thespacefreedupbytherelocationofthestoragewillberedevelopedintoapurpose-builtcustom40,000squarefootGalleryofConceptualPhotography.Asmuchofthestoragespaceisunderground,itisparticularlysuitableforthedisplayofphotography,whichmustbeprotectedfromsunlight.HousingthefoundationworksofthisschoolofphotographyandlayingclaimtothispracticeintheflagshipbuildingfortheVAGSwillbothcementVAGSworld-classstatusinthisgenreandfacilitatefocusedphilanthropy.Againacostof$425persquarefootisusedforredevelopmentcosts,foratotalof$17million.

AdditionallyitproposedthatthemanagementandappropriateadministrationfunctionsremainatthisvenueinitscurrentHooper-designedAnnexbuilding(withbackoftheofficeandnon-criticaladministrationshiftedtothestoragefacility),andthattherestaurantandgalleryshopfunctionscontinue.Retainingmanagementandcoreadministrationfunctionsatthisflagshiplocationandrelocatingstoragetoanappropriatespecializedfacilityremovestheneedforsuchactivitiesatotherexhibitionlocations,therebybothincreasingthebuildingefficiencyofnewconstructionandreducingconstructioncosts.

Overall,thisiconicbuildingwill,onitsown,contribute80,000oftheenvisioned180,000squarefeetofdisplayspaceatacostof$34million.Notethatwhilediscussedfirst,redevelopmentactivityherewouldnotcommenceuntil2016,awaitingcompletionofconstructiononboththestoragefacility(ArchiveArt)andanewdowntowngallery(TemporarytoContemporary,whichwouldbeusedtodisplaythecollectionandtravellingshowsduringrenovationoftheRattenburybuilding,therebyensuringcontinuityof

exhibitionintheVAGS,anapproachcurrentlybeingfollowedatSFMoMA).

3.NewElement-ArchiveArt.

Pivotalto,andhencethefirststepin,achievingthestrategicgoalsoftheVAGSistherelocationofstoragefromthedowntowniconicflagshipbuildingtoaspecializedstoragefacility,whichwehavecalledArchiveArt.Thisstoragefacility,whichwillalsoincludesomeoftheincreasinglyinterestingopenstorage,willbeoutsideofthedowntowncoreonlandandinabuildingwhosecostsareappropriateforastoragefunction.This108,000squarefootfacility,withnetuseablespaceofthe95,000squarefeet,willbepurposebuilt,atacost

of$60persquarefootbuildableforlandand$200persquarefootforconstruction,foratotalcostof$28million5.

TherelocationofstoragewillbothfreeupthespacefortheGalleryofConceptualPhotographyandremovetheneedtohavebackofthehouseadministration,storage,maintenanceandrestorationspaceinnewexhibition

5Pleasenotethatinallcostsassociatedwithourproposal,wehaveassumedthatdonations,bothfinancialandinkind,togetherwithjointdevelopmentusingCACs,willbeeffectivelypursued.


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facilities,therebyreducingtheirsizeandincreasingtheirbuildingefficiency.ItisalsoproposedthattheArchiveArtfacility,whosedevelopmentwillbeleadbyVAGS,beapartnershipfacility,withotherartgalleriesandprivatecollectorsengagedinboththedevelopmentanduseofthefacility.Forthisreason,thereisayearfordevelopmentofaproposalandpartnershipatthe

beginningofthetimelineforthisfacility:the95,000squarefeetofstorageandadministrationisbasedonVAGSanticipatedfuturerequirementsplusamarginforotherpartners,afigurethatmaychangeasthepartnershipdevelops.AtthispointithasbeenassumedthatthecostofthefacilitywouldbemainlybornebyVAGS:itisimperativetoexplorethedegreetowhichthesecostscanbereducedbyapartnershipinadevelopmentusingsomeformofCACand/ordonations.

4.NewFacilityTemporarytoContemporaryGallery.

InparallelwiththedevelopmentofArchiveArt,workontheVAGSsfirstnewexhibitionspacewouldproceed.Thiswouldbeanewdowntowngallerywith50,000squarefeetofexhibitionspace,whichwouldultimatelybedevotedtolargercontemporary,travellingandborrowedshows,butwhichwouldprovidetemporaryaccommodationforshowswhilethegalleriesfortheCanadianHistoricalandConceptualPhotographyCollectionswerebeingdeveloped.Pleasenotethatthis50,000squarefeetdoesnotlimitthescaleofexhibitionspaceforblockbustershows,asitcanbeusedtogetherwiththespaceintheotherproposedgalleries,apracticethathasbecomecommoninothergallerysystems.

Ourproposalrequiresthat,asthepurposeoftheVAGSistoexhibitthecollectioninawaythatisaffordableandaccessibletoVancouvers

communities,strictbuildingefficiencyrequirementsbeimposedonnewdevelopment,withthegoalbeingtomaximizetheratioofexhibitionspacetogrossbuildingarea.Withnoneedforadministration,managementorstorageinnewdevelopment,andanemphasisonartexhibitionratherthanarchitecture,50,000squarefeetofnewexhibitionspacecaneasilybeachievedin90,000squarefeet(a55percentgallerytogrossbuildingefficiency),leavingroomforagalleryandcaf(andperhapsarestaurantifitcanbejustified,althoughthereisnocompellingreasonforone,giventhenumberofrestaurantspresentinthedowntown).Wewouldliketoseeanevenhigherbuildingefficiency,achievingthe50,000squarefeetofexhibitionspaceinasmallerandlessexpensivegrossbuildingarea,buthaveworkedwithinthis55percentratiotoavoidunnecessarydebateaboutdetail.

Wehaveusedacostof$500persquarefootforexhibitionspaceand$250fornon-exhibitionspace,foratotalcostof$35million.ItwillbeparticularlyexcitingtoexplorethepossibilityofthisgallerybeingintegratedintoanewdowntowncommercialdevelopmentthroughaCAC,alongthelinesoftheSunatoryMuseuminTokyo,theAsianArtMuseuminFukuoka,orthePeabody,somethingthatcouldhavebeendoneintheTelusorNordstrom


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developmentsandthatcouldbedoneatafutureBayParkadeorLarwillParkdevelopment,andsomethingthatcouldbringthecostdownsignificantlyfromthe$35millionwehaveestimated.

5.NewFacility-CommunityArtsPlaces.

Havingaddressedtherequirementsforstorage,fordisplayoftheCanadianHistoricalandConceptualPhotographyCollections,andprovidedfordisplayofcontemporary,largeandtravellingshows,thefinal,butintegral,elementisthedevelopmentofexhibitionsspacesinandwiththecommunitiesofVancouver.ToengagewiththecommunitiesofVancouver,theVAGSmustbecomepartofthedailylivesofVancouversdiversepopulations,manyofwhomdonotliveorworkdowntown.TheVAGSmusthaveapresenceintheircommunities,certainlytoincreasetheiraccessibilitytothecollection,butalsotoinvitepeoplefromotherneighborhoodstovisit,sothatpeopleengagenotonlyinthecollection,butalsointheneighborhoods,ofVancouver.CommunityArtsPlaceswillprovidenotonlytheopportunityfortheresidentofCollingwoodtogoDowntowntoseeexhibitedart(andtoshop,haveacoffee,eatandmeetpeople),butalsofortheresidentofDowntowntogotoseeexhibitedart(andtoshop,haveacoffee,eatandmeetpeople)inCollingwood.

Forillustration,wehaveproposedfourArtsPlacesbedevelopedoverthenext15years.Theseareinthe12,000squarefeetofexhibitionspacerange,withagallerytobuildingefficiencyof75percent,aratiobasedontheabsenceofadministrationandstorage,andprovidingformodestgalleryshopsandcafes:itwasnotproposedthatextensivenon-exhibitionspaceforcommercialactivitiesbeprovidedinthesecommunityArtsPlace,astheintentionisthattheysupportlocalestablishmentsratherthancompetewiththem.Withcosts

of$500persquarefootforexhibitionspaceand$250fornon-exhibitionspace,thesecommunitygalleriesarepricedinthe$7millionperstructurerange.Asthesesmallmodulegalleriescanoffernotonlystrongdonationandnamingattractionforbenefactors,butalsocanbereadilyincorporatedintonewrealestatedevelopmentandhencebenefitfromCACprovisions,theircosttothetaxpayercanbesignificantlyreducedfromthisestimate.

Thereareanumberofwaysthesespacesmaybefocused,withthespecificsemergingfromtheguidancecommunitiesofbenefactorsandresidents.Somemightbefocusedonthebasisofthecollectionofabenefactor,thewaytheAudiancollectionmighthavebeenhoused.Othersmightbefocused

thematically:wehaveaparticularinterestinseeingthedevelopmentofaspecializedcommunitygalleryfortheexhibitionofContemporaryAsianArtasanexpressionofanincreasedengagementoftheVAGSwithVancouverscommunitiesofAsianheritageandinterest.Further,thenumberandsizeofsuchspacesinourproposalissomewhatarbitrary,asthepotentialforagreaterdiversityofspacesandlocationsmayemergefromdiscussions.


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Intermsofthescheduling,theprocessofdevelopmentofthefirstcommunityArtsPlacecommencesin2014,oncetheTemporarytoContemporaryGalleryandArchiveArtareoutoftheproposalstageandintothedesignstage.ThisistoensurethatthecommunitiesofbenefactorsandresidentsaresecurelyengagedandprovidingguidanceforthecommunityArtsPlaces.Thefull

developmentoftheseexhibitionspacesisseenasbeingthefocusofexpansionactivityforVAGSafter2018,withthefourthcompletedby2027,attheendofthe15-yeartimeframe.

C.TheCollectionandtheEndowment

TheheartoftheVAGS,theonethingwithoutwhicheverythingelseisirrelevant,isthecollectionandtheresourcestomaintain,expand,focusandexhibitit.Artgalleriesareaboutart-avitalartgallerymusthaveavital,focusedcollectingstrategytodisplaycollections.Toachievesuchacollection,theVAGSmustbeclearandspecificonwhatitisandwhatitdoes,definingitsbrandinordertodrawpeople,communities,acquisitionsandendowments.ThisisnottheplacetodiscusswhatthecollectionmustbeandhowitmustchangetofulfilltheVAGSstrategicgoals,butitistheplacetoinsistthatsuchadiscussion,anditsconfirmationwithVancouverscommunities,precedethediscussionofbuildingsthecollectionistobedisplayedin.

Ourproposalprovidesforamorethanfour-foldexpansionofexhibitionspacefortheVAGS,fromitscurrent40,000squarefeetto180,000,foracostof$125million.Thisincreaseinexhibitionspacewillnotonlyallowagreaterexpressionofthecurrentcollection,butwillre-assurepotentialbenefactorsthattheirgiftswillalsobeaccessibletoandappreciatedbythecommunitiesofVancouver,ratherthanbeinginstorageforever.Theproposalemphasizes

requiringefficientwaystoprovidetherequiredspaces,bothintermsofdesignandfinancing.Thisistomovethepricepointdownsufficientlysothatbenefactorswilldeemitreasonabletoprovidenotonlytheircollection,butalsoamatchingendowmenttoensurethatitwillbedisplayed.Theproposalalsoprovides$25milliontoexpandandrefinethecollection,tohelptokeepitvitalandcontemporary.

Indevelopingourproposal,weplacedacostconstraintofnotexceeding$150milliontoachieveourstatedvision.Ifthereisactually$300millionavailabletoexpandandrepositiontheVancouverArtGallery,thenwesuggestthatour$150millionproposalbefollowed,andthattheremaining$150millionbeput

intoanendowmentfundtoensurethatVancouverscommunitieshaveaccesstothecollectioninperpetuityinarangeofdistinctanddispersedgalleries.


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DevelopmentSchedule


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CostSchedule


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PartTwo:BackgroundtoWhatWeareProposing

I.Asinglestaroraconstellation.

Thereisacontinuumofspatialarrangementsforculturalinstitutions,from

highlycentralizedtosignificantlydispersed.ThisrangemustbeconsideredinansweringquestionswithrespecttohowaculturalinstitutionsuchastheVAGScanbestrespondtothediversitythatcharacterizesthecommunitiesofthe21stcentury.Further,inthecontemporarycontext,asystematicanddynamicviewofinstitutionalresponse,ratherthanastaticone,isrequired.

ThehighlycentralizedapproachistheonethatothershavesuggestedfortheVAGSasinglebigbuildinglocateddowntown.ThisiswhatVAGisnow,writlarge,withanumberofgalleriesinasinglebuilding,muchlikeadepartmentstoreforart.Incelestialterms,thismightbecharacterizedasasinglebrilliantstarinanemptyskymodel.

Attheotherendofthecontinuumofspatialarrangementsisadistributedsystemcomprisedofanorganizationofanumberofsmaller,specializedgallerybuildingsthroughoutVancouver.Thismightbelikenedtoconstellationmodel,withmanyseparatestars,eachbrightinitsownaccordbutnoneblottingouttheothers,formingacoherentpattern.Functionally,itmaybemaybeseenassimplytakingthegalleriesoutofthebuildingandputtingtheminanappropriatelocationandbuildingforeachofthem(andseveralmoregiventheproposedspaceexpansion).SuchadecentralizationprocessfortheVAGS,itshouldbenoted,hasalreadybegun,asevidencedbytheexistenceofOffsiteexhibitionspaceattheShangri-LaHotel.

Betweenafullydistributedmodelandafullycentralizedone,ofcourse,lieanumberofcombinationsoflargeandsmallexhibitionspaces.OurconsiderationoftheresponsibilitiesandrealitiesoftheVAGSleadus,ascribingaswedototheprincipleofformfollowsfunction,toaformatwithinthisintermediaterange.Whatweproposeisaconstellationinwhichthedowntowncoreremainsdominant.Themajor,iconic,flagshipbuildingwouldbetheRattenburyheritagebuilding(anditstwospecializedgalleries)aspartofasystemthatincludesanewcontemporaryartgalleryinthedowntowncore,fourcommunitygalleriesandadedicatedstoragefacility.Inthisformat,theVancouverArtGallerywouldceasetobesynonymouswithanedificeandinsteadwouldbecomesynonymouswithadiversityofplacesandpresentations,asitappropriateinadiversecitythat

participatesinadiverseglobalculture.

Elementsofaconstellationapproachtothedisplayofpublicallyownedartcollectionsarealreadyevidentinothercities.Asonecurrentexample,theLouvresfirstsatellitelocation,theLouvreGalleryintheFrenchcityofLens,openedthisweektodisplayover200worksfromitscollection.Interestingly,thepurposeofdevelopingthisgallerywasessentiallybuildingandsupportingacommunity,asitisintendedtobringtouristsandtheirEurostotheeconomically


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depressedNord-Pas-de-CalaisnorthwesternregionofFrance,aspartoftheLouvresacknowledgingitsresponsibility,inLouvrePresidentHenriLoyretteswords,togetoutofitscocoon.

Otherexamplesofdistributedgallerysystemsinclude:

-TheSeattleArtMuseumwithitsthreespatiallyseparatelocations;-TheStaatlicheKunstsammlungenDreseden(DresdenStateArtCollection)ispresentedbya12-museumalliancethatseesitselfasapointofintersectionbetweenthepastandthefuture;-TheParisMuseumPasssystemprovidesamethodofbothlinkingandpromotingattendanceatover60museumsandmonumentsinParis.-RomesMACRO(MuseodArteContemporaneaRoma),locatedinnorthcentralRomeopenedMACROTestacciointheoldmeatpackingdistrictofsouthRome;-TheHonoluluMuseumofArtwithfivevenues(TheoriginalMuseumneardowntownHonolulu,HonoluluMuseumofArtatFirstHawaiianCentre,SpaldingHouse,ShangriLainpartnershipwiththeDorisDukeFoundationforIslamicArt,andtheMuseumArtSchool);-ArtSetouchi,anamazingcoordinatedcollectionofinstallationsandgalleries,locatedinJapanonsevenislandsintheSetoInlandSeaandinTakamatsuonShikokuIsland;and,ofcourse,-TheTate,theTateModern,theTateSt.Ives,andtheTateLiverpool.

Readers,ofcourse,willhaveotherexamplesthatmightbeconsidered.

II.Storage.

DecentralizationoffunctionisfundamentaltothefutureoftheVAGS,asthereis

nocaseforhavingcollectionarchivingfunctions(storageofcollections;restoration,repairandmaintenanceofworks;andofarchivalandresearchactivities)androutinerecordkeepingandadministrationindowntownVancouveronthemostexpensivelandintheregion.Thereisnojust-in-timeneedforimmediateaccessforanyofthesefunctions,andtheirpresenceproximatetodisplayspaceshasnosynergisticvaluetheydonotbelongdowntownandtheydonothavetobeinagallerybuilding.Thereisnoneedforthesefunctionstobeinthesamebuildingand/orlocationasgalleries(bigorsmall);inallcases,individualgalleries,betheythesinglestarorpartoftheconstellation,candrawonthecollectionandservicesofferedbyaspecialized(non-downtown)storageandbackofficefunctioninanon-corelocation.

III.Synergyormereproximity

Theexplanationthathasrepeatedlybeengivenforhavingasingle300,000squarefootbuildingforVancouverspublicartexhibitionspacethatbyhavingalloftheworkstogetherinoneplace,visitorswillbemorelikelytoseeworksandshowsthatwerenottheirfocalreasonforvisitingamuseumbuildingthanif


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theworkswereinspatiallyseparatebuildingsisanincrediblysimplisticvisionofbothartmuseumsandofthepublic.

Themany-rooms-single-buildingoptionsuggeststhatthereisagreatdegreeofsynergyresultingfromproximity.Theassertionthatexhibitionspaceshavetobeinthesamebuildinginordertotemptpeopletoventureintotheunfamiliarseemsakintosayingthatpeopleareonlygoingtosamplenewcuisinesinafoodcourt.Similarlypositingtheonestopshoppingdepartmentstoremodelofgettingallofyourartinasinglevisitisakintosayingthatpeoplewanttobuytheirunderwearinaplacewheretheycan,atthesametime,buyadeepfreeze.Theinternethasshownthatweareallspecialists,evenaswebecomegeneralists.

Itwouldseemsomewhatextremeweresomeonetosuggestthattherebeonlyonemassivepublicvenueformusic,ortheatre,ordance,soitishardtounderstandwhyitiseversuggestedforthevisualarts.Justastheonemassivemegastoresellingeverythinghasnotreallyworkedoutforretailexceptintherealmofbulkdiscountsales.Astructureofadiversityofsizes,specialization,andlocationsseemsmorecharacteristicofretailing,asitdoesofexhibitionofvisualarts,atleastinpersonalexperience,forthewalkfromtheMuseeDOrsaytotheRodintothelOrangerietotheLouvretotheCentrePompidoutotheMuseePicassoisastapleofvisitstoParis,asarenumerousotherwalksinnumerousothercities.ItseemsdemeaningtosuggestthatinacityasdiverseasVancouverpeoplearenotadventurousenoughtoeitherseekotherartvenuesorothervisualexperiencesiftheyhavetotravelabit6Onecouldassertthattheexcitementofexploringthecity,itsneighborhoods,anddistinctcommunitygalleryexhibitionswithinanartconstellationwouldbringmore,notless,traffictothecollectionoftheVAGS.TheVAGStotakeonanartsandculturalleadershiprole,aspartofitsengagementincommunitiesandpartnerships,theVancouver.

Havingsaidallofthis,ifa$300millionexpenditureistobejustifiedbyaone-stop-shoppingmodel,itmustbebackedupbyalotofhard,independentobjectiveevidence,ratherthanmereopinion,asitrunscountertonotonlyexperience,butthedecentralizationthatmanymajorgalleriesandmuseumsarepursuingastheygetoutoftheircocoons,andthatisreflectedinthepatternofbothcontemporaryprogrammingandphilanthropy.Soweask,WhereistheobjectivecomparativeanalysisthatshowsthatabigboxistheonlyviablewayforVancouverspublicartcollectiontobedisplayed?LetusalsounderstandthatthismodelfreesupthevalueofLarwillParkwhichcouldbemonetizedforabroaderpublicgood.

IV.CommunityArtsplaces

Tomeetitsresponsibilities,theVAGSmustbepartofcommunities,withapresenceintheirdailylifethatsupportstheirsocial,culturalandeconomicbase.

6Ofcoursethesehavetobeadequatelymarketedtoensurethatpeopleareawareofwhatisonwhereandwhen.


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Locatedalongcommunityhighstreetsandatcommunitycenters,theindividualstarsintheconstellationoftheVAGSwillbringcustomerstolocalrestaurantsandstores,helpingtosupportcommunityeconomies,andbringpeopletoshareinthecommunity.

AconstellationapproachwithanumberofexhibitionplacesthroughoutVancouverwillalsopermitincrementaldevelopment,easingbudgeting,fundraisingandfinancingrequirementsbyspreadingcostsandactivityoveranumberofyearsandanumberofsources.Thiswillmaintaininterestintheon-goingactivitiesoftheVAGS;totheextentthatgovernmentfundingisinvolved,itissafetosaythatpoliticianswouldprefer8ribboncuttings,and10budgetyears,toone;anditsrangeofspecializationwillopenthedoortoawideranddeeperrangeofphilanthropy.

Thepluralisticmodelmeansgreaterdiversityinourartportfolio.Therearemanycontextsinwhichgreaterdiversitycouldbeconsidered.Oneverypracticalconsiderationiswithrespecttoriskmanagementhavingallarteggsinonebasketismuchriskierthanhavingthemspreadout.Anotherdimensionofdiversityistheexcitementofdifferentprogrammingthatwouldinevitablyresult,withdifferentopeninghours7andcuratorialstylesattractingandcreatingdifferentaudiencesatdifferenttimes,reflectingnotonlycollectionsbutneighbourhoodcharacteristics.

FrequentopeningswouldalsobringmoreexcitementandtraffictotheVAGSbrand.Withsucharangeofvenues,evenwithafourmonthshowcycletherewouldover20openingsayear,bringingaconstantrefreshmentandbuzztonotonlytheVAGSbrand,butalsotothecommunitieswherethegallerieswerelocated:insteadofgoingtoapublicartgallerythreetimesayearpeoplemightgo

twiceamonthiftheycouldseenewfocusedshowsinadiversityoflocations.

Thedecentralizedexhibitionspacemodelwillalsobroadendonoropportunitiesandincreasedonationattractiveness.Itwillattractdonorsseekingagreatervisibilityingiving,asratherthanhavingtherenamesingalleriesinsideabuilding(whichthecommunityseesonlyonceinsidethebuilding)itwouldbebuildingsthatwouldbenamedtorepresentedtheirlegacy,namesthatwouldbeoneverycommunitymap.WhileVancouverhaslosttheopportunityfortheMichaelAudainMuseumofFirstNationsArt,thereareperhapseightotherremainingopportunitiesforVancouver(perhapstheAudainWhistlerMuseumcouldbepartofVAGS).8

7Asanexample,RomesMACROhasopeninghoursfrom11:00to19:00,whileMACROTestacciohoursarefrom16:00to22:00.Thedifferencesreflectthenatureoftheprogrammingatthetwovenuesandthespecificcharacterofthecommunitiesinwhichtheyarelocated.8InSaskatoon,agiftof$30millionfromtheFrankandEllenRemaiFoundationunder-wrotethesuccessfulfundingoftheRemaiArtGalleryofSaskatchewan.GiventhecomparativescalesoftheSaskatoonandVancouverregionalpopulations,thissuggeststhatsomeeightsuchdonationsmightbeachievedhere.


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Ithasbeensuggestedthatthepluralistmodelwouldinvolvehigheroperatingcoststhanthebig-boxmodel,andthismaywellbethecase.Thisissomethingthatmustbeconsideredinacomparativeevaluation,butthisconsiderationmustbeinacost/benefitframeworkmeasuredintermsoftotalcostsandbenefitsinmeetingVAGSresponsibilities.Aloweroperatingcostmodelthatdoesnotmeet

theseresponsibilitiesisnotsuperiortoahigheroperatingcostmodelthatdoes.Relativeoperatingcostsinisolationarenotajustificationforadecision,butrathersomethingtoprovideforinmakingthedecisionthereismorethanonehospital,morethanonerestaurant,oneschool,andmorethanonetheatreinVancouverinspiteofthefactthatthisinvolveshigheroperatingcosts.

V.Costsandefficiencies9

Thesimplemathofthebigboxproposalisthat$300millionwillbuy300,000squarefeetofartgallerybuilding,and,withinthatbuildingtherewillbe80,000squarefeetofexhibitionspace.Thissuggeststhatthecostsare$1000persquarefootofgrossbuildingareaand$3750persquarefootofexhibitionspace.ThesearesimplynotreasonableforpublicartexhibitionbyaninstitutionwhoseresponsibilitiesaretothecommunitiesofVancouverandtheirartcollection,andwhichmustconsideritsrequestsforfunding,beitfrompublicorprivatesources,inlightofnotonlyitsvision,butinlightofthelimitedresourcesavailabletoallofVancouversartscommunity.

Thereisawiderangeofissuesthatthisexcessivecostraises,manyofwhichcanbeconsideredundertheheadingofbuildingefficiency,theratiobetweenexhibitionspaceandgrossbuildingarea.Inthebigboxmodel,thisratiois27percent:wemustaskwhatishappeningtotheother73percent,whichiscostingthesame$1000persquarefootasthedisplayspace?

Obviously,someofitisbeinglosttostorageandadministration,butaswehavearguedelsewhereinthesenotes,neitheroftheseshouldbelocatedinprimespace,beitmeasuredintermsoflocationorconstruction.ThefirststeptowardsprudentfundingofVAGSexhibitionspaceistomoveactivitiesthatarenotimmediatelyconnectedtotheexhibitionofarttoanon-core,lessexpensivelandandconstructioncostlocation.Rightnowtheartgalleryisusingaboutonesquarefootofstoragespaceforeachsquarefootofexhibitionspace,sopresumablyinthe300,000squarefootbuilding,some80,000feetareforstorage.Movingthisstorage(andaddingabit)toanon-corelocationwouldcost$28million($260asquarefootbuildable),butwouldreducestheexpensive

constructionto220,000squarefeettoget80,000squarefeetofdisplayspace(a36percentefficiency),knocking$54millionoffofthepricetag.

Thisstillwouldrequireconstructing220,000squarefeettoget80,000squarefeetofexhibitionspaceasourproposaldemonstrates,thismuchspacecanbe

9Toreiteratetoensurethatthereisnomisunderstanding,pleaserecallthatforallcostsassociatedwithourproposal,wehaveassumedthatdonations,bothfinancialandinkind,togetherwithjointdevelopmentusingCACswillbeeffectivelypursued.


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foundintheiconicRattenburybuildingalone.Withrenovationcostsestimatedatasubstantial$425asquarefootofgalleryspace(asthebuildingisalreadybuilt),andwiththestoragegone,80,000squarefeetofexhibitionspacecanbeachievedintheRattenburybuildingforacostof$34million.Foratotalof$62millionthesamequantitativeincreaseinexhibitionspacefortheVAGScanbeachievedas

thebigboxwouldachievefor$300million.

Fromourperspective,inordertomeetitsresponsibilities,theVAGSrequiresmorethanwhatthebig-boxoffers,andspecificallyitneedsanewdowntowncontemporarygalleryandfour(ormore)communitygalleries.Inthebig-boxproposal,toget80,000squarefeetofdisplay220,000squarefeetofconstructionisrequired(a36percentbuildingefficiency).Forourperspective,aminimumbuildingefficiencyof55percentmustbethestandardforthenewdowntownexhibitionspace,andaminimumof75percentmustapplyforcommunityArtsPlaces.Todosorequireseliminatingthingsfromnewconstructionthatisnotnecessary.Onthefunctionside,meetingrooms,loftyentrancewaysandlobbies,

grandstaircases,extensiveoffices,allofthethingsthatarenotdirectlyconnectedwithexhibitionofart,havetobeevaluatedintermsoftheircontributionversustheircosts.ThisdoesnotmeanthattheVAGSdoesnothaveaccesstothese,butrathertheyareinthemostappropriateplace,giventheircostandfunction,withtheopportunitytouseotherspaces(forexample,atUBCRobsonSquare,EmilyCarr,orMoA)forthefunctionsthatarenecessary,andgettingridoftheonesthatarenot.Evenwiththeshopandcaf,efficiencyandeffectivenesscriteriamustapply,aseverydollarspentonconstructionoftheseisadollarnotgoingtoexhibition,collectionandendowment.

Itisalsopresumedthatlandcostsfornewexhibitionspaceswillbeeffectivelyzero,asitisintendedthatnewconstructionoccurinconjunctionwithappropriatecommercialdevelopment,bywayofaCAC,andhencethatonlyfacilityspecificconstructioncostareinvolved.Aswell,byincludinggalleryspacewithinnewcommercialdevelopment,theriskofexcessivespendingonwhathasbeencalledstarchitecturewillbeeliminated,keepingconstructioncostsintherangeofthoseforcommercialspace:themissionofVAGSinvolvessupportingcommunitiesandart,notarchitects.Wehaveused$500persquarefootfornewconstructionofexhibitionspaceand$250fornewnon-exhibitionspace,with$260persquarefootforthestoragefacilityand$425persquarefootfortherepositionofthecurrentspaceintheRattenburydesignedbuilding.

Whileitiseasiesttocontemplateco-ventureexhibitionspacedevelopmentinthecore,itcanalsooccuratthecommunitylocations,throughthesameCACapproach.Further,communitycenters,schools,andlibrariesmightbewillingtoprovidesitesinexchangefortheagglomerationadvantagesthatanadjacentartinstitutionwouldbring,andtheCityofVancouvermightprovidesitesfromitslandbank.TotheextentthattheVAGSisabletoattractphilanthropytofundlegacybuildings,costsforcommunityArtsPlaceswouldbefurtherreduced.Andfinally,ofcourse,aspartofthejointventurewithprivatedonorstobuilda


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culturalinstitutionforthefuture,thecurrentrealestateendowmentoftheVAGcouldbemonetizedtoprovidesitesforand/orfunddevelopmentoffacilities.

Asaclosetothecostdiscussion,someconsiderationshouldbegiventoensuringthatoperatingcostaresupportedbyendowments:clearlydonorswanttoseenotonlytheirnamesonbuildingsbutthatthecollectionsareviewedandbenefitourcommunities.ToreturntotheexamplefromSaskatoon,theRemaifundingwas$15millionforcapitalanda$15millionendowmentforprogrammingoverthenext30years.

XIV.ABackgroundofDiversity.

Diversityisamainstayindiscussionsofcommunities:ironically,inmostofthesediscussions,thereislittleacknowledgementofhowdiversediversityis.Mostcommonly,thereissomementionofculturaldiversity(usuallyinareferencetomulticultural),whichis,sadly,equatedwithancestry,asthoughwhereancestorscamefromexplainsculture.InVancouveratleastdiversityis

muchmorethanmerelyderivedfromancestry,and,moresignificantly,cultureismostcertainlynotequateablewithancestry,andhenceVAGSmustaddresscontemporarydiversity.

Vancouverisaspecializedandmobilesociety,theproductandtheproducerofamulti-dimensioneddiversity.Certainlyitisdiverseintermsofancestry,withpeoplefrom223distinctethicoriginsresidentinmetropolitanVancouverascountedinthe2006Census.Notonlyisitdiversebut,withintheCanadiancontextitisalsodistinct,withoneoutoffivepeopleinthisregioncitinganethnicorigininEastorSouthEastAsia,fourtimesthenationalaverageandthehighestpercentageofthecountrysmajorurbanareas(forexample,ourshareis1.5

timessecondplaceTorontos13percentshare).ThissuggeststhatVAGSshouldincludeinitsvisionsomespecializationtowardsanAsiancollection.

Forsome,theconnectionwithanethnicoriginisdirect,assomehaveimmigrated,eitherrecentlyorinthepast.Forothers,theconnectionisindirectandgenerational,throughancestorswhoimmigrated.Theresultisthatwhilepeoplemaysharethesameancestry,theydonotsharethesameexperienceofit,withthoseborninCanadahavingtheirformativeexperienceswithinthematrixofCanadascommunities.Thismeansthatevenwithinancestrygroupsthereisagreatdiversityofpeopleandperceptions.

Thesamemaybesaidofreligiontwo-thirdsofourcommunitytakepartinone(ormore)of80differentreligiousaffiliationswhileone-thirdbelongtonoreligionagainthereisagreatdiversityofreligiousaffiliationswithinwhichthereisagreatdiversityofinterpretationandexpression.

Whileancestryandreligionmayinfluencehowpeopleseetheworld,incontemporarysocietyitishardtoarguethattheyaretheonlylensesthroughwhichpeopleview:thereareothermeasurabledimensionsofsocietythatdemonstratediversityage,gender,relationships,income,education,etc.For


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many,occupationsandvocationsplayasignificantrole,andinthiscontextagainthereisagreatdiversityofhowpeopleearntheirlivinganddedicatetheirlives.

Suchmeasuresareformalmetricsofthedimensionsofdiversity;thereisalsoawiderangeofinformaldimensions.Theregionsresidentshaveawiderangeofexperiences,withmanyhavingtravelledandlivedelsewhereontheglobe,andofhobbies,recreationsandskills.Peopleliveinadiversityoftypesofneighbourhoods,fromsparselyruraltodenselyurban,andformanydowntownisneitherafocusorofmuchinterest.Evenhoursofworkdemonstrateawidediversity,with9to5nowmerelyanexampleratherthanarule.

Placingindividualsinthismatrixofmulti-dimensionaldiversity,linkingancestry,age,occupation,experience,income,gender,orientation,interestsandskills,noconcentrationofsimilarityemergesnotonlyistherenotamajoritywithsharedcharacteristics,thereisnotevenasinglespacethatwouldincludeasignificantminority.Thisisnotahomogenoussociety,norisitasocietycharacterizedbyahomogenoussub-group.Ratheritisasocietyofpluralities,asingleatomizedmass,witheachindividualadistinctelementmovingwithinlargerinter-connectednetworksoffamily,friends,co-workers,clients,acquaintances,andstrangerswithinthebroadandchangingmatrixofactionsandactivitiesthatisoursharedculture.

Insuchadiversesociety,whattiespeopletogetherisculture,theamalgamofindividualculturalexpressions.AndgivenVancouversdiversity,individualculturalexpressionsarealsoverydiverse,creatinganencompassingculturethatisasearatherthanalandscape.Everyoneisaculturalswimmernow,navigatingtheirwaythroughthechangingcurrentsofaseaofonewaterbutmanywaves,currents,andtides,eachofwhichreflectingthingsthathistoricallyhavebeen

calledthedeterminantofcultureandeachofwhicharenowoneofthemanyelementsofpersonalculture.Inswimminginthissea,apersonisatanyonetimeperhapsinaparticularbasinofaculture,andshortlythereafterinanother,butalwaysinthesea.

Culturenowisnotaninheritance,northedomainofastateorreligionorregion,butratherafluidandnuancedsharedexpressionofthelives,aspirations,imaginations,skillsandtalentsofthepeopleincommunities,bothlocalandglobalcultureisareflectionofpeopleastheymoveandchange.

Formalculturethebusinessofculturalinstitutionsistheprocess(nolonger

themechanism)bywhichindividuals,andhencecommunities,record,archive,document,analyze,transmit,andformalizetheirsharedculturalexperience,andourartitonewaythatthisformalizationisviewed.

Artisoneofthewayscommunitiescommunicate,andgiventheirdiversity,thereistheneedandtheopportunityforarangeofwaysandplacesforsuchcommunication,forarangeofaccesspointstoart,andhenceforadiversegallerysystemthatplacesartinthedailylivesofcommunities.

Vancouver Art Gallery Proposal

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