Vancouver Island Visual Arts Society
National SPRE Accelerator 2025
Location: Victoria, BC
Website: https://wearevivas.ca
Contact: Logan Ford, Executive Director: logan@wearevivas.ca
Mission
Vancouver Island Visual Arts Society (VIVAS)’s mission is to acquire, expand, and protect critical arts and cultural spaces through cooperation with public and private sectors. By offering affordable studio and exhibition spaces, free public programming, and educational opportunities, they provide a dynamic and supportive environment for artistic growth and community engagement.
Project
VIVAS intends to purchase a commercial property to secure stable, affordable, and long-term space for artists in Victoria. The city’s rapid development and rising rents have made it increasingly difficult for artists and arts organizations to maintain a presence in the region. By moving toward ownership, VIVAS aims to protect creative space from market volatility and ensure that artists have a reliable place to work, exhibit, and collaborate for years to come. Property ownership would allow the organization to operate independently, reinvest in its programs, and continue offering deeply affordable studios and public programming. This step represents a major milestone in creating a lasting foundation for the arts in a city where such stability is urgently needed.
In the Accelerator, they will
Access learning opportunities on funding and financing strategies, policy landscape and advocacy opportunities to navigate zoning restrictions as they strive towards the site acquisition stage of their project.