New Westminster, B.C. – The City of New Westminster is excited to announce a new partnership with the Arts Council of New Westminster, who will take the lead in the development and curation of the annual exhibitions at the Anvil Centre Community Art Gallery in a three-year pilot project starting in 2023.

The Community Art Gallery, located on the third floor of the Anvil Centre, features a rotating series of community exhibitions that support local artists both emerging and established. Exhibiting artists are featured in group or solo exhibitions, as well as curated projects that reflect the interests of the community and align with the City’s commitment to equity, social justice, and truth and reconciliation.

Previously, all aspects of the Anvil Centre Community Art Gallery exhibitions were coordinated by Art Services staff. Through this partnership, City staff will continue to provide support for scheduling, logistics, and events, while the Arts Council will take over coordinating and curating the annual exhibition program, with both organizations working together to promote the program to artists and audiences. This decision is in alignment with the City’s Arts Strategy, which encourages active relationships, unique collaborations and partnerships between municipality, artists, and arts organizations to advance the arts in New Westminster.

The Arts Council of New Westminster is a non-profit arts organization that has operated the Queen’s Park Art Gallery for 30 years and implemented a range of satellite programs, such as the annual New Westminster Cultural and New West Craft. The Arts Council has strong relationships with local artists and other local arts organizations; their mission to foster, support, and promote the arts in New Westminster, along with their well-defined strategic plan, aligns with the City’s art goals.

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Media Contact:

Todd Ayotte
Manager, Community Arts and Theatre
City of New Westminster
604.515.3822 | tayotte@newwestcity.ca