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T h e G a l l e r y

Membership • History • Mandate • Vision • Gallery Rental • Links
CVAG MEMBERSHIP:

Membership Form (pdf file)

The Comox Valley Art Gallery is a non-profit society dedicated to providing a venue for, and increasing awareness of local, national, and international fine art within our community. Your membership is an investment in the vibrant cultural life of the Comox Valley.  Our new gallery gives us the opportunity to embark on new kinds of exhibition programming, art education for children and adults and development of our permanent collection. We hope you will visit often, be inspired, and become involved in the exciting development of your new gallery.
All members receive:
- A membership card
- Free general admission to the Gallery
- Weekly updates by e-mail
- Invitations to Exhibition Openings
- Voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting
- 10% discount voucher for the Gallery Shop

 Senior $15
Student $15
Individual $25
Family $40
Business $50
Organization $50


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CVAG HISTORY:

The COMOX VALLEY ART GALLERY was established by a group of artists as the Central Island Arts Alliance, under the umbrella of the Comox Valley Community Arts Council . CIAA achieved British Columbia society status and federal charitable organization status in 1974. From its inception, it has been recognized by the Cultural Services Branch of the Province of BC with grant funding to support operations.

One of the first art centres located outside Vancouver and Victoria, the CIAA held visual art exhibitions, operated a co-operative shop featuring local crafts, and organized and promoted performance arts and festivals. The Renaissance Faire, an annual arts and entertainment fair, was the major fundraising activity supporting the operations of the CIAA.

In 1997, the Board of Directors moved to change the name to COMOX VALLEY ART GALLERY to more properly reflect the core business - that is visual art exhibition programming. The Gallery Shop continues to promote regional arts and raise funds for the Gallery.

May 2005 saw the realization of a long term plan by the Board of Directors for COMOX VALLEY ART GALLERY - relocation to a new venue in a municipally owned building - the former Courtenay Fire Hall. The Gallery occupies the main floor and lower level of the new Comox Valley Centre for the Arts. This building provides four exhibition galleries and, for the first time, workshop space for educational programming and an environmentally secure archive room. With its award winning design and higher profile location, CVAG attracts attention to downtown Courtenay and the Comox Valley . This has been a boon to the Gallery and the Gallery Shop, attracting a broader audience and interest in visual art.

The new building - Comox Valley Centre for the Arts - brings together a number of arts organizations under roof (CVAG, Comox Valley Community Arts Council, Vancouver Island MusicFest, Courtenay Youth Music Centre, Comox Valley Fall Fair Exhibition Association) - with the intention that these groups will be able to work together more closely and build on each others successes.


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CVAG MANDATE:

The Comox Valley Art Gallery is a public art gallery featuring contemporary, experimental and applied visual arts. CVAG exhibits the work of regional, national and international artists; as well, CVAG creates opportunities for local artists and artisans to exhibiy their work. CVAG encourages artisitic expression in all media and serves an educational organization presenting contemporary art issues and practices.


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CVAG VISION:

Our vision is of a gallery that is a hub in the community - a place that inspires connections and communication - where visitors will be refreshed, energized, inspired or provoked, where artists and viewers/participants can engage in a dialogue about those things that are meaningful in human life and community.


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CVAG GALLERY RENTAL:
The Comox Valley Art Gallery makes its facility available for rental in order to promote community awareness of the gallery and to generate revenue in support of the gallery’s programming and operations. The gallery is available to individuals and organizations for a variety of events. There are two rental spaces, the Public Gallery and the Lower Level Studio.

The Public Gallery is located on the main floor and has maximum capacity for 100 people. It is well suited to host educational programs, community service oriented events and special events. Availability of the Public Gallery for rental is subject to the exhibition schedule and the placement and nature of the art exhibits. The approval of the Executive Director is required for the rental of the Public Gallery.

The Lower Level Studio is ideal for art workshops and demonstrations, business meetings and other special events for a maximum of 40 people. The Studio can suit several set-up styles: Theatre with sitting capacity for 40; Boardroom and Classroom with chairs and tables; Art workshops, maximum 14 students at tables/easels.

Please email programs@comoxvalleyartgallery.com or phone 250-338-6211 to inquire about a booking.


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GALLERY LINKS:
CVAG Funding:
We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the British Columbia Arts Council; Canada Council; Government of Canada; Vancouver Foundation; BC Lotteries and The Valley Bingo Palace; Comox Strathcona Regional District Areas A, B, C; City of Courtenay, Town of Comox; Village of Cumberland; Membership and Private Donation

Vancouver Island Art Galleries:


Art Organizations:


To be added to our Links Page, please contact the Webmaster


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Comox Valley Art Gallery • 580 Duncan Ave, Courtenay, BC V9N 2M7 • Phone 250-338-6211