The Grove Art Gallery, located at Port Alberni's scenic Harbour Quay, will be closing its doors permanently at the end of December. The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley announced the closure last week as part of what they describe as a strategic evolution to better serve the changing needs of the community and local arts sector.
The decision came after extensive community engagement, including a series of public round tables and surveys designed to gauge interest in the arts throughout the valley. After careful consideration of the feedback received, the Alberni Arts Council board of directors made the difficult decision to terminate its gallery lease with the City of Port Alberni and suspend gallery operations. The gallery will remain open through the Christmas season to allow visitors one final opportunity to experience the space.
"Our community is growing, and the arts council must grow with and meet the Alberni Valley's diverse needs," said James Street, acting board president. The Grove Gallery has been operating at the Harbour Quay since 2022, serving as the arts council's primary exhibition space after relocating from their previous location. The organization had previously operated the Rollin Arts Centre on Eighth Avenue at Argyle Street for more than five decades before making the move to the waterfront location.
The closure of The Grove Gallery represents a significant change for the local arts community, as it means there will no longer be a single, dedicated arts gallery space in the Alberni Valley. Recognizing this impact, the arts council has committed to working actively to support and develop alternative exhibiting spaces throughout the region. The organization acknowledges that some community members may view having a dedicated gallery space as essential to the valley's cultural landscape.
"The Alberni Arts Council recognizes that for some community members, a gallery in the Alberni Valley may be essential. We encourage those that believe so, to join the arts council as a member and join efforts to work towards advocating for more subsidized arts spaces with our local municipalities," the board stated in their announcement.
As part of their strategic transformation, the Alberni Arts Council will be partnering with the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce. This innovative collaboration reflects the council's commitment to evolving from a traditional model that focused primarily on visual arts into a more modern, community-impact approach that ensures all forms of arts are represented and supported throughout the region.
The partnership is expected to provide the Alberni Arts Council with a stable organizational foundation while allowing much-needed capacity to create new partnerships with local businesses and community leaders. This approach aims to create powerful synergies between the arts and the economic vitality of the region, potentially benefiting both sectors in ways that weren't possible under the previous model.
Both partners are actively developing innovative options to showcase local art in new and creative ways. One such initiative includes plans for a locally handmade artisanal gift shop at the visitor centre, which would provide artists with new opportunities to display and sell their work while contributing to the local tourism economy. Artists who are current members of the arts council will be contacted directly to participate in these new ventures.
"By suspending gallery operations and the demands of the Harbour Quay facility, we are freeing up vital financial and HR resources and capacity," Street explained. "We will continue to focus on strategic planning, community engagement and use the feedback to update our core mission: facilitating, collaborating, and launching a more diverse scope of arts and culture initiatives throughout Port Alberni."
Street emphasized that this transition was not made lightly, noting that it was informed by months of careful engagement and development work. "We see incredible potential in this partnership," he stated. "Arts and culture are a critical component to economic development and community appeal. The arts council recognizes that this change is potentially disruptive to some. The board of directors and arts council staff are committed to minimizing negative impacts and maximizing opportunities as we navigate this change."
Jolleen Dick, CEO of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and its potential impact on the community. "We look forward to working with the Arts Council to support their new model and help integrate cultural programming more deeply into the business fabric of the Valley," Dick said.
The organizational transition will allow the arts council to prioritize program and service growth, enabling them to meet community needs without being constrained by the ongoing costs, maintenance requirements, or operational limitations of maintaining a single building. Instead, the council plans to focus on a decentralized model that brings programs and services directly to where people are, making more efficient use of existing community spaces such as parks and other venues throughout the valley.
The arts council continues to seek community input through an online survey that remains open for public feedback. Community members interested in sharing their thoughts on the future of arts programming in the Alberni Valley can participate in the survey at alberniarts.com/survey. This ongoing engagement reflects the organization's commitment to ensuring that their evolving mission truly reflects the needs and desires of the community they serve.
