Project Title:

Hornby Island Arts Centre

Project Organization:

Hornby Island Arts Council

Project Investment:

  • Island Coastal Economic Trust: $175,000
  • Total Budget: $1,170,048

Project Highlight:

With a dedicated space to showcase and sell their work, the centre is projected to support $700,000 in additional revenue for local artists within 3-5 years. 

Hornby Island is a popular visitor destination known for its vibrant arts community. The creative sector is the largest source of employment on the Island, with 40% of residents working in the arts as a primary source of income. This concentration of talent is a significant draw for many of the 40,000 visitors who come to Hornby Island annually. Despite a growing reputation for cultural tourism, the Island lacked a dedicated space to both showcase local artists and to engage visitors in search of that experience.
The Hornby Island Arts Centre will be located at the heart of the community’s cultural hub, adjacent to the Community Hall, Farmers’ Market and other health, social and recreation facilities. The 2,9000 square foot facility will marry unique design features with multi-use functionality to accommodate multiple exhibits or large performance of up to 180 attendees. The facility will also host indoor markets and other events in the low season, and will include a gift shop and workshop space. 
Upon completion, the Arts Centre will be a flagship cultural tourism amenity, creating year-round economic and cultural opportunities for Island artists, visitors and businesses. After 3-5 years, the project is anticipated to generate an annual spending impact of $2.1 million, supporting the creation of more than 20 permanent local jobs through growth of the arts-tourism sector. Other anticipated outcomes include improved visibility and sustainability for Island artists, growth of new and existing arts-related businesses, and enhanced opportunities for professional development. The project is slated to be completed in early 2022.