Arts Incubator - Feasibility Study - Executive Summary

Feasibility Study: Arts Incubator Space Completed for Arts Council Wood Buffalo Executive Summary March 2021 Prepared by: akronengineering.com

Executive Summary Our region urgently needs affordable studio spaces with 24-hours access, and artisan markets where rural, emerging, and established local artists can display and sell their art. A Culinary Arts kitchen is also required for community groups to rent and appropriate rehearsal spaces for performing artists to use in preparing for, or performing their special concerts. Arts Council Wood Buffalo (ACWB) retained Akron Engineering Consultant’s Group Ltd. (Akron) to conduct a feasibility study to verify and evaluate the potential of re-purposing the existing Landmark Cinema Building space, located in downtown Fort McMurray, Alberta, as an arts incubator, in addition to housing ACWB’s offices and key partner core tenants. The Landmark Cinema Building was visually inspected and evaluated by Akron’s team of professional engineers who concluded that it would be a good candidate for repurposing into an arts incubator. Two options were explored, based on Akron’s estimates and construction history: 1) Renovating the building, with an affordable investment of approximately $14.7 million. This investment includes the costs of purchasing the subject building and land at the current asking price, achieving the desired internal and external building detailed design to make it fit-for-purpose, construction, and pre- opening costs. 2) Demolishing the existing building and constructing a new building would be in excess of $25 million. Repurposing the existing building’s option, when compared to the demolishing and rebuilding option, would result in over $10 million of savings. The following are a few reasons, which are clearly supported in more detail through this study, for which Landmark Cinema Building space is a good choice for an arts incubator: • Great location; in the heart of Fort McMurray’s downtown and with wonderful accessibility and parking spaces • Ideal building size; as it matches the region’s needs of an arts incubator, in compliance with Akron’s conceptual design • Robust building components; as Akron’s professional engineers performed a general visual assessment of the existing building’s structural, mechanical, and electrical integrities and found them to be reliable for the proposed repurposing • Significant history; as most of Fort McMurray residents have previously visited the building to watch a movie • Alignment; with community and municipality’s initiatives of downtown revitalization to enhance the downtown business sector • Enticing more traffic; and thus increasing business opportunities to the downtown area As part of this study, an engagement survey, managed by Akron, was conducted in October 2020 to substantiate public’s interest in creating an arts incubator space that can support arts, culture, and the community at large. We received feedback from 410 community members representing both artists (comprising of 43.4% of the total) and non-artists (comprising of 45.9% of the total) , with almost 84% of participants agreeing that an arts incubator would be beneficial in the region. As per relevant stats, it has been proven in other communities in Canada and around the world that such local art spaces create huge economical, social benefits to the residents, and accordingly contributes to sustainable growth. The art incubator space complements the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo strategic goals and priorities for economic development and downtown revitalization, enhances artistic and cultural outlets, while providing more local options for education and entertainment that residents had been desiring for a long time. II | Page

Executive Summary, Continued This report focuses on five selected case studies that are reflecting on three of the most important key success factors in relevance to our project: 1) A social enterprise to generate revenues while funding social causes within an arts incubator 2) A facility that reflect the diverse demographic and geography of our region 3) A facility that has a strong artist in residency program Our region, which is comprised of a culturally diverse population with both urban and rural residents, spread over a vast geographical area, which therefore faces physical and technology issues around access. Thus, the selected case studies have other similarities to our region: they faced challenges of a spiralling downward economic trend, employment uncertainty, a one industry community, poor determinants of health, apathy and negativity. As with any operation, there will always be few uncontrolled factors constantly influencing communities; however, the one thing that does not rely on natural resources, major infrastructure investment or political will, is creativity. Creative minds can turn any challenge into an opportunity, and change any negative into a positive. The selected case studies have helped in identifying strengths and opportunities that can be leveraged into our project, as well as learning from their weaknesses in order to overcome them and how to avoid or minimize risks or threats to ensure best possible outcomes are achieved. One of the most significant strengths discovered through Akron’s SWOT analysis pinpointed to the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design which had two important strengths. The first consisted of having a strong artist in residency program that reached into their remote communities, and the second comprised of their ability to pull together their diverse demographic and geography challenges to build a successful arts program. Incorporating these two strengths in our Arts Incubator would allow the arts in our region to thrive in the same manner as the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design did in Nova Scotia. Akron studied other assets in Fort McMurray, including Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre, McMurray Metis Local 1935 Culture Centre, and Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts, and determined that the services they provide are not overlapping our region’s need for an arts incubator as they do not meet all the needs of emerging and established local artists. Communities that have embraced art incubators have achieved impressive transformations by embracing their creative forces. These communities are driving new business, spurring innovation, attracting talent and investment, and in the process, accelerating community development and improving the overall quality of life. Edmonton Vital Signs is an annual check-up conducted by Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF), in partnership with Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC), to measure how their community is doing. Their latest report from 2019 stated why Arts are important: “Research shows that: Where the arts thrive, there is also likely to be a vibrant, thriving economy. Neighbourhoods are livelier, communities are revitalized, tourists and residents are attracted to the area. There is a correlation between engagement in the arts and people who vote! Adults who attend art galleries, live performances, or read literature are more likely to engage in civic activities like voting and volunteering.” III | Page

SWOT Analysis for Repurposing the Landmark Cinema Building into an Arts Incubator Space The SWOT analysis is an assessment of the related strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.1 Throughout the SWOT analysis, we want to note that strengths and weaknesses are internal factors, and threats and opportunities are generally external. The process of developing the SWOT included a review of numerous plans and studies that have already been completed; case studies of five relevant venues, a public engagement survey to solicit feedback, and meetings with ACWB to discuss the results. T Threats • In the past five years, Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo has experienced adverse events such as the downturn in the energy industry, 2016 Wildfire, 2020 Fort McMurray Downtown Flood, and the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in continuous risk of declining population and business closures • Reputation of the region as being an industrial community with likely modest interest in arts • Limited internet access in some rural communities W Weaknesses • Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is a very large region with communities located far apart, we can apply the lessons learned from the Cape Breton Centre For Craft & Design to further increase indigenous community engagement with the arts, and increase outreach programming throughout the region • Risk of collecting sufficient funds during current difficult times • Limited road access communities throughout the year, as Fort Chipewyan and Fort Fitzgerald are only accessibly by road during winter months • The Landmark Cinema Building repurposed into an arts incubator addresses the long- standing need for accessible (economically and physically) space that supports and O• nurtures the growth of arts and culture in our region Opportunities This project will bring into play Social Sustainability, Downtown Revitalization, the • municipally adopted Culture Master Plan (such as the Regional Economic Development and Support Arts and Culture) and moves forward a number of the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo's strategic objectives All case studies have verified that art incubators spawn new businesses, increases innovation, attracts and retains talent and investment, helps accelerates community development and improves the overall quality of life for impacted residents S Strengths • Public engagement demonstrated strong community support for an arts incubator • ACWB have a solid and talented team who clearly understand the needs to ensure the sustainability of this project • ACWB is developing strong relationships between rural and urban communities to bridge the gaps between artists and related community organizations • Arts are the greatest renewable resource in the region that needs to be harnessed through an arts incubator to provide space for artists to gather and work, and continue to enhance the artist in residence programs as demonstrated by the case studies • Using the social enterprise model will ensure the sustainability of the proposed arts incubator as it has for Calgary’s cSPACE and ARTSCAPE Toronto 1For this analysis, the SWOT is done in an alternative order: threats, weaknesses, opportunities, and strengths (TWOS) IV | Page

Engagement Survey • The purpose of the survey was to understand residents current perception on creating an arts incubator space that can support arts, culture, and the community at large • The survey was open for public’s input from September 16 to October 14, 2020 • More survey related details can be found at https://artscouncilwb.ca/acwb_blog/arts- incubator-survey/ 96.1% 410 83.9% individuals of those who responded responded to the of those who responded live in Fort McMurray survey agree that an arts incubator would be beneficial for the Wood Buffalo region 67.7% 87.5% 45.9% of those who responded of those who responded were of those who responded identified as female between the ages of 25 – 64 years self-identify as an artist 1390 57.2% the number of written 84.1% responses from residents of those who responded knew that an arts completing the survey of those who responded incubator facility would complement the agree that the social strategic goals and priorities of the Wood 10.0% enterprise model would Buffalo Social Sustainability Plan, Wood be beneficial for the Buffalo Culture Plan, and RMWB 2018- of those who responded Wood Buffalo region 2021 Strategic Plan including Downtown identified as indigenous Revitalization, as well as support findings of The Arts and Individual Well-Being in Canada from Canada Council for the Arts V | Page

Engagement Survey Feedback Art Participation Community Vitality The level of community’s involvement with art correlates directly with their vitality, quality of life and economic condition. The following quotes are only a few examples of the approximately 1400 comments which were received from the 410 residents who responded to the survey: “An arts incubator would create an opportunity “Arts and culture make up the fabric and richness for arts education, tourism, and increased of a community. Exposing kids, pre-teens, adults, regional competitiveness. It could tie into the and seniors to art has immense benefit throughout urban fabric of downtown and create a the different stages of life and is often under destination for events and activities. It could make recognized or valued. Our region needs a central the region more attractive for investment and for location where expression of art is the norm and artists looking for studio space.” the go to place. Somewhere that is both physical and financially accessible. Somewhere where all “This incubator would be an excellent addition to people feel welcome vs intimidated. Deep down the downtown revitalization plan and a great way we are all artists. We are human and its is our for local artists to showcase their art and teach nature to be expressive.” lessons.” “Everyone needs a place to do their thing. “Incubators enhance creativity and allow ideas to Swimmers have public pools, hockey players have collide. Creating a space for incubation is an multiple expensive publicly funded arenas, tennis excellent idea and can draw out a great deal of players have community courts, runners have talent. New businesses and opportunities can be municipally supported trail systems, etc. Artists formed.” are most often left on their own, and survive only through tenacity and by applying their inherent “Social enterprise is a great way to sustain creativity to the problem of where they can something like this.” practice their art. This needs to change.” Operating as a social enterprise would allow the “It would be a win/win for both the artists and space to support the arts community without Arts Council Wood Buffalo. Revenue reinvested.” relying as much on municipal funding and grants.” VI | Page

Engagement Survey Findings VII | Page

Engagement Survey Findings, Continued VIII | Page

Case Studies This study focuses on five relevant venues which we selected based on their obvious reflection on the most important two key success factors to likely influence the proposed project: 1) Facilities with social enterprise model, as they constantly maintain their self-sustained operation while fulfilling desired obligations towards social causes in relevance to arts incubator’s objectives 2) Facilities that reflect a diverse demographic and geography that are similar to our region. #1: cSPACE King Edward, Calgary, AB • cSPACE’s social enterprise model is dedicated to supporting communities of artists, non-profits and entrepreneurs • Retrofit historic building, located in an inner city, walkable neighbourhood with public transit routes and post-secondary institutes • Provides Calgary with the most unique venue rental opportunities • cSPACE changes lives and culture #2: CASA Community Arts Centre, Lethbridge, AB • CASA is a new unique facility that far surpasses the original vision for expansion, and sets a new standard for interdisciplinary arts centres. It is about experimentation, incubation, learning and growing • Casa was built to serve a multi-generational community that has a diverse demographic and geography in southern Alberta, with varying art skill sets and interests in all disciplines of the arts #3: Cape Breton Centre for Arts, Culture and Innovation, Sydney, NS • Cape Breton Centre for Arts, Culture and Innovation is operated by New Dawn Enterprises, the oldest Community Development Corporation in Canada, operating for the last 43 years. It is a private, volunteer-directed, social enterprise dedicated to community building • It’s mission is to engage the community to create a culture of self-reliance • Cultural industries in Nova Scotia create more then 13,500 jobs and contribute almost $1 billion to their economy each year #4: Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design, Sydney, NS • Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design have established a successful rural development strategy that reflects the diverse demographic and geography of Nova Scotia. • Incorporates production studios and workshops in less populated parts of Nova Scotia which has greatly benefitted rural economies • Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design has an excellent artist in residency program with funding for 5 permanent seats #5: nvrlnd., Calgary, AB • Nvrlnd., provides smaller community gathering places to host any number of events, such as facilitating workshops, photo shoots, gallery shows, musical performances and more • The artist residency program at nvrlnd. provides the opportunity for artists to work outside of the usual environments and is founded on the pillars of artist partnership, idea generation, and knowledge sharing all with the goal of nurturing art and creativity in Calgary. IX | Page

Why is an Arts Incubator Needed? Arts incubators typically provide for numerous art related events, including: community galleries, artisans’ markets, black box theatres, and cultural activity spaces, which will then create an exciting destination that will encourage other businesses to populate the downtown core. This arts incubator will be a centerpiece of Fort McMurray’s downtown revitalization and the anchor for future rural incubators. The arts incubator will truly reflect the vibrant and diverse community of Fort McMurray and offer broad opportunities for engagement with arts and culture. The following statistics from Environics Research, Arts and Heritage access and Availability Survey 2016-2017, confirm that art strengthens communities by bringing people together. ▪ 95% of Canadians believe that arts experiences are a valuable way of bringing together people from different languages and cultural traditions. ▪ 95% of Canadians believe that arts are an important way of helping people think and work creatively. ▪ 94% of Canadians believe that arts and culture make a community a better place to live. ▪ 92% of Canadians believe that exposure to arts and culture is important to individual well-being. ▪ 89% of Canadians believe that the arts and culture help us express and define what it means to be Canadian. ▪ 86% of Canadians believe that the arts and cultural activities are important to a community’s economic well-being. Arts and culture play an important role in promoting desired economic goals through local regeneration, developing talent, creating jobs, spurring innovation and attracting tourists. Statistics Canada estimates that cultural industries (including broadcasting, film and video, interactive media, design, journalism and crafts) contributed an estimated $53.1 billion in Canada in 2017 and more than 666,500 jobs. Arts incubators provide tremendous benefits to a community, as testified in the case studies presented in this report and by the majority of our current residents who have firsthand experience of such incubators in the communities they lived in before moving into our region. The proposed arts incubator space will fill the gaps between the arts and culture community as identified in the Post-Wildfire Recovery in the Arts Strategic Plan and the RMWB’s Culture Master Plan, while acting as a showcase for downtown revitalization. This project will provide sustainability for Arts Council Wood Buffalo as a social enterprise, and generate ongoing employment opportunities and growth of the arts community. “A ‘social enterprise’, though non-profit, still provides gainful employment opportunities. It is also a reasonable and responsible model for sustaining a fanciful like an arts centre. If the incubator’s business plan we’re based on sourcing grant money and public funds to cover operating expenses, it wouldn’t last into its second year. A solid sustainable business plan is absolutely necessary to ensure the viability of this venture.” - Feedback from one of the 410 residents who completed the survey. X | Page

Arts Council Wood Buffalo Strategic Priorities 1. The arts community is connected and has the resources needed to thrive 2. The arts are To conclude, based on Akron’s recognized as essential comprehensive research, which in creating a balanced is summarized in the Feasibility community Study Report, we confirm that the former downtown 3. Arts Council Wood Landmark Cinema Building is an Buffalo is an influential excellent choice to be voice for the arts repurposed to an arts incubator for Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. When completed, this great initiative will be a value- added asset for the community and the fruition of Arts Council Wood Buffalo’s Strategic Priorities. XI | Page

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