Omineca Arts Centre, a volunteer-run multi-use arts space, is at risk of having to permanently close its door due to COVID-19 related loss of income. Jennifer Pighin, chair of the Board of Directors for the space, says the transition to online programming has been well-received and fairly successful, it has not filled the financial gap left by being unable to host in-person events.

Catherine Sharpe is the artists-in-residence for February at the arts centre. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Pighin. Taken by Kate Ames.

Prince George has a vibrant and growing music and arts community, but venues for exhibition, live music and dance can be hard to come by. As reported by the Prince George Citizen in 2018, the city has lost some key venues in the recent years. While many restaurants and bars still support live music, such as Nancy O’s and the Prince George Legion #43, Omineca Arts Centre is one of few options for artists, performers, and fans under the age of 19 after 10pm. Pighin also points to the flexibility of the space as a unique strength. “We saw a gap in services for artists, particularly emerging artists… We needed something that was a little more grassroots, a little more flexible in regards to the use of the space”.  

Grants designed to support the arts and non-profit sectors have made it possible for Omineca Arts Centre to continue to run programs, but after months of being unable to host events, the space is struggling to pay the bills. According to the Prince George Citizen, 64% of those surveyed in British Columbia said they would be unwilling to go to a concert or live music venue until vaccinated against COVID-19. To date, only 8,145 doses have been administered in northern BC.

In a phone call on Thursday morning, City Councillor Cori Ramsay said that city council is “having conversations about every sector” and the impact of COVID-19, including the arts. The city of Prince George has maintained consistent community grant opportunities despite COVID-19 losses, though the city does not currently offer any grants to cover operating costs. Omineca Arts Centre has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the costs of staying in the space, keeping the lights on, and supplementing payment to artists. “We came to the point where we looked at our finances and said ‘Ok, we have 2 maybe 3 months left’”, said Pighin. 

Since opening in 2016, Omineca Arts Centre has focused on creating a safe space for artists and creators to flourish and form community, particularly by “doing as much as we can to help promote our Indigenous, our LGBTQ, our people with diverse abilities, and artists of all different walks”.

Listen to the interview on CFUR-FM: