Community input sought in 'missing piece' of Yellowknife's art scene

A group of Yellowknife residents are working to create a dedicated non-commercial art space in the territory's capital and they're seeking community input.

Adrian Bell, a Yellowknife real estate agent who's also a staff member for the NWT Art Centre Initiative, said the centre would be a space for learning about northern and Indigenous art, passing along knowledge, displaying art and more.

"It's been identified as a real missing piece. You know, artists really need to have that space to display their art … one main component is that it's a non-commercial art gallery, but it's also a community centre," he said.

Bell said the centre could offer other art-related services or facilities.

The NWT Art Centre Initiative consists of a five-person steering committee, Bell and a second staff member, Sara Komarnisky, who's also a researcher and author.

Central location

The first step, they say, is to find a location. That includes getting help from architects who are evaluating the potential of several different sites, and consulting with community members for their thoughts through an online survey.

Komarnisky said the group wants to get a sense of what matters to people when it comes to location. The potential sites include the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool, Old Petitot Park, Old Akaitcho Hall, the 50/50 lot, the old YK motors lot, a spot on the east side of Frame Lake and a spot across from Niven Gate.

"I think people will probably share why that matters to them, why they could envision an art centre in that space," she said.

A primary consideration for location is that it be centrally located and easily accessible to tourists.

"We want it to be something that's going to draw people here," Komarnisky said.

Tourists will "be an important audience for the art centre," she added.

Bell said important determining factors in location choice will include whether the territory or city would gift the plot of land, as well as the results from site inspections. 

"The technical study will reveal a lot — some of these locations just may not be possible," he said.

Partnership possibilities are also being considered, he said. For example, partnering with a territorial visitor centre could be strategic as it would bring high foot traffic.

Once a location has been chosen, the group will begin planning the design, construction and fundraising.