Departments > Parks, Recreation and Community Development > Community Development > Victoria, a Cultural Capital of Canada (CCC) > Community Arts - Artist in Residence

Community Public Art Program

A program for neighbourhoods wishing to undertake community public art projects such as murals, mosaics etc. The projects undertaken were:

• The Burnside Heritage Mural Project was officially unveiled in September 2006. It covers a large area on both sides of the bridge underpass on the Galloping Goose cycling and walking trail and depicts the people and history of the industrial area and early settlers living in Burnside, especially first Nations.
• The Oaklands Community Mosaic Project was installed in November 2006.
• The James Bay Stepping Stones Project had a series of workshops in September 2006 and over 65 stepping stones were completed. These were done by school children, seniors and families. They are made of pebbles and colorful rocks. Installation is planned for Spring 2007 after a community mapping exercise to determine the locations.

Artist in Residence Program

This program placed a professional artist in a community to act as animator, work with community volunteers to identify neighbourhood and community artistic opportunities, develop projects involving diverse community members, leaving a legacy of creative practices and art works. The artist-in-residence awards that were funded include:

• The Fairfield Book project created an illustrated book with essays, poems and art photos from the Fairfield community. The community celebrated the completion of their book in September 2006, at a neighourhood event which included music, an art show of the works and poetry featured in the book.
• Storytelling Our Lives presented a theatrical production of the experiences of immigrant women was produced in the North Park neighbourhood by Peuntes Theatre in partnership with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria.
• Youth Arts Activation: An interactive visual and performance project with youth was produced in the Blanshard neighbourhood.
• The North Park Podcast project was completed involving youth producing downloadable radio programs over the internet.

The City is continuing with Community Arts Grants as part of the legacy initiatives of the Cultural Capitals Program. Three new artist-in-residence grants were awarded by City Council in September for the 2006-2007 year:

• Kids With Cameras - Burnside Gorge Community Association
• Café Fairfield – Phase 1 - Fairfield Gonzales Community Association
• Aging Across Cultures - Victoria Silver Threads

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