麻豆传媒AV

A public meeting Wednesday to discuss formation of an artist run centre in downtown North Battleford went well, says organizer Joseph Campbell.

"We got some new faces at the table and new names on the list of people who are seriously interested," he said Thursday. "It feels very positive."

Campbell says the hope is to create an open community-focused space for artists to work individually and collaboratively.

"We have already had a positive relationship with Downtown NB business improvement district, and we hope to keep closely in touch with them as well as talk to the City, let them know we're on the radar screen, and are open to a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with them as well," said Campbell.

As to where the centre might be located, Campbell said, "We have been in talks with the owner of the post office building on 100th Street. The second floor there has been vacant for some time and so far, our discussions have been promising."

Campbell also said the group would be exploring possible funding assistance through the SaskCulture/Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant Program, administered by the City of North Battleford.

He planned to meet with SaskCulture over the weekend with a view to finding some time to discuss the Community Grant Program with that person.

"They are a great organization who do a lot of good work in communities across the province," said Campbell.

"It's been a positive month of developments for us, and it's really been a team effort from the arts collective in terms of getting this project rolling," said Campbell. "We are a very open group and everyone at the table has an equal say in how we move forward."

He also said they have had interest from community members who wish to be involved by helping the group network, look for funding opportunities and volunteer at future events. "It's great to see even people who aren't interested in artist space in the centre want to be supportively involved with it," he said.

"If all things go well, and we can keep our momentum going, it'd be great to be up and running by March. This is a continuous process though and we now just have to work through some details."