After 3 1-2 years of having paid negligible rent in return for a downtown address and a tax write-off to the owners, our landlord gave Cranbrook & District Arts Council (CDAC) the boot!

Just when we were establishing a presence in the community, our whole existence was challenged and uprooted. After we worked the phones and the media for a few weeks, our landlord came up with a similar arrangement for us in a smaller storefront downtown.

Short-term problem: solved! Longer-term problem: find a permanent home so we can be self-sustaining and do what we do best—the arts. The question is; how do we do it? Opus Framing & Art Supplies offered us this forum to seek advice from the arts community on how to go about it, and where to start.

Many arts communities have been through the process of establishing a permanent address/building, and hold a wealth of valuable information on the topic. Are there any suggestions or helpful hints from ARts Councils or others who are wiling to share how they did it?

We would be interested in hearing from you at CDAC. Our address is info@theartscouncil.ca or 1117 Baker St, Cranbrook, BC V1C 4J6. For details, call Janice Edwards or Pauline Artifacet at 250-426-4223.