Vancouver is getting a new arts and culture hub thanks to the Alliance Française Vancouver (AFV). After nearly a decade of planning and preparation, the new, state-of-the-art cultural facility, at 6161 Cambie Street, will host its official opening ceremony on August 14, 2024. The $24-million, 30,000-square-foot community hub will serve as a bastion of francophone cultures in Vancouver, becoming the largest, independent cultural facility in B.C.
“Drawing upon the rich cultural heritage of Alliance Française Vancouver, which this year celebrates its 120th anniversary, we are thrilled to unveil our new landmark cultural facility, devoted to preserving and celebrating the French language and thriving francophone cultures present in Vancouver today,” says Damien Hubert, Executive Director of AFV. “Through our purpose-built, sustainable design, our new expanded facility will now include a sizable boutique art gallery, a 165-seat professional theatre, the Champs Élysées Café & Bistro, media library, multiple classrooms, roughly 2,700 square feet of artist studio space, and much more. Our mission is for AFV to be a vital gathering space for creativity and community.”
The AFV project began in 2015, when it was determined that a new facility was necessary to meet the needs of a growing francophone community in Metro Vancouver. The organization’s original 8,500-square-foot historic home, originally built in 1968, was no longer able to meet the burgeoning demand for AFV’s education, cultural, and community services. Designed by Vancouver-based firm McFarland Marceau – recognized for its sustainable approach to architecture – boasts an airy, light-filled design, the four-floor facility’s architecture reflects its West Coast roots, with a mass timber structure, skylight window, gorgeous wood detailing, and uninterrupted views of Metro Vancouver’s mountainous landscape. The eco-responsible project was recognized in 2022 with a Jury Prize from UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, which honours outstanding contributions in the management or preservation of the environment.
As one of the most ambitious projects in the Alliance Française international network, AFV’s new facility is now the third largest Alliance location in North America, after New York and Toronto. The world-class, fully accessible cultural facility features a plethora of amenities for all ages. A 165-seat professional theatre will offer Vancouver’s cultural scene a much-needed mid-range performance facility; a 1,120-square-foot art gallery visible from the street will showcase the work of both local and international artists; a French-inspired café and bistro, Champs Élysées, will offer a breakfast and lunch menu throughout the day and transform into an intimate wine bar at night; an 2,700-square-foot flexible artist space, with movable panels, will offer affordable rental studios for artist residencies; a fully-stocked media library will boast the largest francophone collection in B.C., with access to thousands of books and multimedia for all ages; a set of 16 classrooms will serve as an incubator of knowledge and exploration of the French language and culture, for ages 3 and up; a fully-equipped demonstration kitchen will allow for gastronomic exploration and cooking classes; and a large, sun-drenched, west facing exterior terrace will offer a serene ambiance for Alliance patrons and event rentals.
Find out more about this valuable new addition to the local arts and culture scene visit alliancefrancaise.ca