Member Profile | Meet Vancouver Arts Centre
Gemma Robins
The Vancouver Arts Centre (VAC) in Albany are currently in an extremely busy period, with their first major partnership project of the year recently delivered. I asked their Coordinator (and Country Arts WA Director) Amber Perryman to fill us in with what’s been happening.
Hi Amber. Can you tell our members a little bit about the Vancouver Arts Centre (VAC).
VAC is a community arts centre with a key purpose to develop the creative capacity of our region. We support the practice of art-making and deliver a diverse and engaging multi-artform program that empowers our community and the cultural sector. We are housed in a heritage venue (formerly the Albany hospital) and have workshop space, studios, galleries, visiting artist accommodation, a small performance space and meeting rooms.
You recently worked on the Snake Run Project as part of the Perth International Arts Festival. How did that go?
This was a fantastic community arts and cultural development project to celebrate 40 years of the Snake Run in Albany. A large section of the community was engaged in its development, both through contributing stories and content, participating in the performance and in attending on the day. Approximately 2500 people came along and it garnered state and national media attention. It was such a positive event and possibly one of the best projects I have ever been involved in. A highlight video of the event can be seen on the City of Albany Events Facebook page.
Our Regional Arts Development Officer Tegan Morey just finished her secondment with VAC. What did she help the team with?
Tegan provided direct support to our Arts Development Officer Annette Carmichael (who did an amazing job as overall project coordinator and creative producer for the Snake Run performance) and also provided assistance to the stage manager Marianthe Loucataris. Tegan’s calm demeanour was an incredible asset in terms of providing support to the whole team and it was great to have an extra pair of hands leading up to the event and on the day.
With the Snake Run Project over. What’s next for VAC?
Bella Kelly Retrospective exhibition in development, it’s due to open on 23 March which celebrates her legacy as a significant Noongar artist. The exhibition will tour to John Curtin Gallery and then on to Narrogin concluding on Sunday 23 October.
We are working in partnership with FORM around a boutique component of this year’s PUBLIC program in April. It will see 6-8 international and WA street artists painting some large scale murals in and around the Albany CBD and laneways as part of the new York Street upgrades. This will be accompanied by some ephemeral small scale artworks by Great Southern artists and a celebration of the project through some community events.
Vancouver Street Festival on Saturday 7 May, featuring live music, artisan markets, heritage tours, street food, visual arts and entertainment.
Post by Gemma Robins, Marketing Officer.
Image: The Snake Run Project. Photo by Nic Duncan.
