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Arts & culture and public spaces programming
The Greenway connects important public spaces in the area, including Crab Park, Maple Tree Square, Pigeon Park, Sun Yat-Sen Courtyard and Andy Livingstone Park as well as a number of arts organizations and galleries, including the Chinese Cultural Centre, Centre A Gallery and Interurban Gallery. By connecting them, the Greenway enhances the opportunities for community events and cultural programming, making the Greenway a truly special place.
As detailed design of the greenway is being completed, a number of initiatives are underway to ensure the public realm is expressive of the aspirations and needs of the diverse groups of people who historically and currently live, work and visit the area.
These initiatives include several arts and public spaces related studies, specific public art projects as well as Storyscapes Chinatown, a unique multi-media history/public art project that aims to increase the recognition of Aboriginal contributions to the area.
Carrall Street Greenway Public Art Plan
A Carrall Street Greenway Public Art Plan  has been developed to better coordinate the different art-related initiatives and to help develop a cohesive framework for public arts along the corridor. Workshops, meetings, an open house and a forum were held to engage the community in the development of the plan. The plan is now complete.
A number of site-specific public realm projects have also been initiated. These projects will begin to make changes in the physical environment, provide opportunities for local artistic expressions and enliven the public realm while the greenway continues to develop.
For more information, contact:
Karen Henry
Public Art Coordinator
604.871.6083
karen.henry@vancouver.ca
vancouver.ca/commsvcs/oca/PublicArt/projects.htm
Downtown Eastside Arts and Culture Strategic Framework and Investment Plan
Arts and culture is a significant part of the Downtown Eastside community, and it has been expressed through a variety of public art projects, art galleries, performing arts theatres, community and cultural centres, and seasonal festivals. The many art organizations and individual artists in the area have made significant contributions to the cultural and economic development in community: creating opportunities for artistic expression, fostering community partnership and cooperative ventures in a multicultural context, promoting new skills and training and creating new jobs. Some of the community organizations include the Firehall Arts Centre, Gallery Gachet, Artspeak Gallery, Interurban Gallery and the Vancouver Access Artist Run Centre. Recent community initiatives such as the Downtown Eastside Community Play in 2003 and the annual Heart of the City Festival successfully demonstrated the desire and capacity of the local arts community to deliver effective arts-based community development projects. A coordinated arts and culture investment strategy for the Downtown Eastside could help further opportunities for community and economic development.
A steering committee was set up to oversee the project. The committee consists of representatives of the Province of British Columbia, through the Ministries of Tourism, Sports and the Arts and Community Services, the Vancouver Agreement, and 2010 Legacies Now as well as staff from the City of Vancouver's Office of Cultural Affairs, Park and Recreation Board and the Planning department.
This result from the study will support the existing Downtown Eastside arts and cultural community, increase opportunities for its growth and sustainability through coordinated efforts with Downtown Eastside businesses, community agencies and residents; promote interest and improve access and participation in the arts; use the arts in skills development; and build organizational capacity within the arts and culture sector.
The consultancy is expected to be completed in spring 2007.
For more information, contact:
Doug Durand
Cultural Planner, City of Vancouver
604.871.6007
doug.durand@vancouver.ca
Downtown Eastside Arts Program and Events Planning for Parks and Open Space
The intent of this study is to prepare -- in concert with involvement from the local community interest groups and agencies -- a coordinated program and event plan for public spaces in the Downtown Eastside.
The Friends of Victory Square initiated this project. The process began in 2004 with the creation of a community advisory committee. The community was involved through various workshops, questionnaires and special events.
An open house  on Dec 15, 2005 at Centre A will report back on the plan's progress to the broader community. This plan will be integrated into the Downtown Eastside Arts and Culture Investment Strategy and the Carrall Street Greenway Public Art Plan . The plan is expected to be completed in spring 2007.
For more information, contact:
Susan Gordon
Parks Arts & Culture Coordinator
604.257.8495
susan.gordon@vancouver.ca
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