|
artsVest in Thunder Bay
Definitely Superior Artist-Run-Centre & Gallery with:
Lot 66 – Tapas Bar and Restaurant
LU Radio
Sheldon Reproduction Centre – Print Graphics
Signal Resources Ltd.
Definitely Superior Artist Run Centre + Gallery in Thunder Bay recently concluded their project, Urban Infill-Art in the Core. The project involved taking over empty and underutilized commercial spaces in the downtown core, and converting them into arts and cultural venues. Building business partnerships was essential to the success of this project, and to bringing people back into the downtown core. As stated by the gallery: “It was a positive response to community concerns about the socio-economic future of Thunder Bay... A downtown core area that is infused with the creativity and enthusiasm of both artists and audiences as well as private and public investment can be an engine of growth and revitalization in a community faced with socio-economic challenges.” Organizers estimate that 4,500 people participated during the duration of the project, with 1,250 individuals attending the opening alone.
LU Radio+DefSup partnership Event/Party – Music, Dance, Performance
Opening Reception-partnership with Lot 66 Restaurant/Lounge
Lakehead University Visual Arts Graduates-utilizing empty building spaces partnering with building owners in the downtown core
TokyoPop+Shock Cabaret – [24 performance acts -100 artists – 700 in audience]
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and Museum's partnerships with multiple business partners
As a sports museum our exhibit galleries feature facades that resemble the various venues of sport, including a hockey arena and old style stadium. In the ‘real world’ an arena and stadium feature signage along the boards and the outfield walls. We offered companies the chance to actually become a part of our exhibits by purchasing signage in our ‘mini’ arena and baseball diamond outfield. We sold spots to nine companies and received services in kind from two others who provided graphic design and sign production for a total value of $5750. With a matching amount from artsVest in the amount of $4538, this project generated over $10,000 for our museum!
The inclusion of sponsorship signage is intended to be a permanent part of our display gallery, which means that it will also be a recurring source of revenue. The sponsorship agreements we struck through our artsVest project were for two years. We plan to approach these companies as their two year contract period is coming to an end and ask them if they would like to renew. If they do not wish to, we can approach other companies to literally ‘fill their spot’.
This project was a great success for a number of reasons. The signage adds to the ‘look’ of our exhibits, provides our sponsors with an opportunity to promote their businesses to visitors and provides long-term revenue generation for our organization. It is a win, win, win situation – a triple play if you will. When you add the fact that we leveraged an additional $4500 for our community through artsVest, it truly equals a home run!!
The companies that participated in our project included:
Blake Funeral Chapel, Canada Brokerlink, Dave Wilson Sporting Goods – the Source for Sports, Old Dutch Foods, Primary Foto Source, RBC Royal Bank, Robert's Plumbing, Smith and Associates Insurance, Sportop Marketing, SRC Print & Graphics, and Windsor Plywood.
Diane Imrie, Executive Director
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
Exhibit galleries at the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
Exhibit galleries at the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
|
