City looks to add arts hub

Hamilton hasn't had a major addition to its arts scene in decades and it's time to change that, says a key organizer of a bid to build a "creative catalyst" downtown.

"There has been constant growth but not much change in infrastructure," said Jeremy Freiburger, director of the Imperial Cotton Centre for the Arts, which creates and manages spaces for artists.

"The last major one arguably was HECFI (Hamilton Place) and Theatre Aquarius was a jump-off later on."

Now his arts centre has partnered with the city to create an artistic hub or creative catalyst. The project would turn an abandoned factory, warehouse or school into a place for painters, photographers, filmmakers, musicians and other artists. For-profit and non-profit organizations could rent space and there would be galleries, workshops and artistic performances for the public.

The facility would be a centrepiece of a burgeoning arts district, Freiburger said. The centre could include restaurants, rehearsal space, storefronts and perhaps a day-care centre.

"We're definitely looking for an urban environment, maybe in the North End industrial area, but definitely in the older city," said Jacqueline Norton, manager of the city's film office.

The city set aside $150,000 to hire consultants to meet with the local arts community and develop recommendations about suitable sites, funding and governance models and partnership opportunities.