Arts North East seeking new home for permanent collection

Arts North East, formerly the Peace Liard Regional Arts Council, is looking to better manage its permanent art collection and has asked the Peace River Regional District for support.

At their October 26 board meeting, PRRD directors agreed to work with Arts North East to locate the collection and to discuss the next steps. The request was sent by letter from Arts North East executive director Haley Bassett on October 16.

Since 1987, a piece of art has been gifted every year to the PRRD from Arts North East as a thank-you to the regional district for grant support. 

Much of the collection is already housed at the PRRD’s main office in Dawson Creek, while other pieces are stored at the PRRD Fort St. John office, and additional pieces are stored with the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality. 

“After collecting artwork for over 30 years, the PRRD office is likely at capacity. Also, the specific whereabouts and condition of these artworks are currently unknown,” writes Bassett, noting the PRRD office limits public viewing of the collection. 

Arts North East has begun steps to acquire an archival space in Dawson Creek, and Basset proposed the collection could be stored there. Summer students could then be hired to locate and assess the condition of the artworks. 

The art could also be taken to regional libraries, schools, and hospitals, she further noted, as community touring exhibitions. A designated area of the PRRD office could also exhibit some of the art, suggested Bassett, with the pieces rotated annually.