In February 2026, the Arts & Community Infrastructure (ACI) Foundation hosted the Arts Spaces Forum at Otherguise Theatre, bringing together more than 80 artists, cultural operators, community organizers, and civic partners to explore new approaches to securing long-term space for arts and community activity in Greater Victoria.
The afternoon combined sector education, a panel discussion on community ownership, and shared learning from existing models — including the Kensington Market Community Land Trust — alongside facilitated dialogue about local conditions.
Participants spoke candidly about rising rents, unstable leases, and the loss of cultural venues. But the dominant energy in the room was possibility — a shared interest in exploring new models of stewardship and long-term affordability for arts and community spaces. Post-event feedback reflected strong interest, new ideas, and momentum toward collective problem-solving, with many participants describing the conversation as both inspiring and grounded in realistic next steps.
The gathering reflected a broad cross-section of the local ecosystem, including artists, cultural organizations, and grassroots groups such as Fernwood Community & Arts Association, Société francophone de Victoria, Rainbow Events Centre, Vancouver Island Caribbean Hub, the Victoria Tool Library, the Aunty Collective, and Queers & Beers.
Civic participation included representatives from the City of Victoria, the District of Saanich, regional Parks & Recreation, and the Victoria Foundation, reflecting shared interest in strengthening the region’s cultural infrastructure.
Insights from the Forum are now informing the early stages of ACI Foundation’s feasibility work, alongside ongoing surveys, consultations, and the development of a multi-sector steering committee.
In the days following the Forum, community members began reaching out with ideas and offers of support — a reminder that this work resonates beyond the room.
The Arts Spaces Forum marked the beginning of a broader conversation about how Greater Victoria can steward and sustain the cultural spaces that support its communities.