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The Miramichi International Castle Galleries and Convent Art Studios

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The Miramichi Economic VitalityThe Miramichi region is facing few challenges

and the Government has made several announcements to diversify the local economy and help jump-starting Miramichi’s economy.Miramichi has been dependent on the forestry industry as its main economy and the local government wants to help change and diversify the region’s economy.The New Brunswick government is committed to

attracting new businesses to the region.The city is very interested in working with provincial and federal governments to help the Miramichi region evolve and considers them important partners in a brighter economic future.

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The Community Growth Strategy (CGS)

• The City of Miramichi mandated the consulting firm P.K. Consulting to elaborate and deliver a growth strategy report for the region.

• The CGS, a broad-based community consultation, reflects the views of the stakeholders and the current socio-economic context of the region.

• It also discussed desired projects that are needed in four principal areas one of which being the cultural sector.

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The Three Cultural Challenges

Miramichi cultural challenges:Need to identify and share what we have in the region (communicate). Need to preserve the culture; Need to provide incentives for people to work/train in the off time.

The need to promote Miramichi’s 4 major cultures (Acadian, First Nations, Irish and Scottish).The importance of developing and maintaining

cultural projects and the need to be inclusive of First Nations and other Minorities.

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Our VisionIn parallel with the Vision of the City of Miramichi which is “to be the most progressive, prosperous and healthiest community in Canada” we want to create an international culture and tourism destination in Miramichi.To promote the three strategic policies of the City of Miramichi which are :

1. Effective and efficient use of human, financial and capital resources.

2. Economic growth and sustainability; and3. Consistency

To foster an international exchange of artists and provide for new artists the opportunity to learn from more seasoned ones.To provide a venue for the exposition of Acadian, First Nations, Irish and Scottish Art

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Our Mission

In harmony with the Mission of the City of Miramichi which is “to provide services and encourage growth to ensure an outstanding quality of life for all of its citizens” we will improve, upgrade and expand the old Courthouse and the Convent in keeping with the original design and character into an International Art Gallery and Studios which will ensure growth and enhance the quality of life of its citizens. To work with Team Miramichi to create an

International Gallery and Art Studio where artists and art lovers locally and from around the world will assemble in a heritage setting conducive to creativity and serenity

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Location

The two-storey building, commonly referred to as the ‘‘big sandstone courthouse’’ is a 90 year old Northumberland County Courthouse located on a hill at the corner of Newcastle Boulevard and the King George Highway in the City of Miramichi. It has served as a landmark in the community for nearly a century.

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Castle Galleries and Museum Floor Plans

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The Miramichi International CastleGalleries and Museum

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ConceptThe Miramichi International Castle Galleries and Convent Art Studios is to become Miramichi's designated regional art and cultural gallery.

It will be an independent non-profit public art & cultural gallery committed to the acquisition, education, presentation, interpretation and dissemination of modern and contemporary visual art for the benefit of the regional and international arts community and to develop tourism for the region.

The non-profit organization will be called the Miramichi International Cultural Centre (MICC)

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Concept – Castle Galleries

The very imposing chateau style building will be converted into an art gallery and museum with a permanent collection.

The project will explore a variety of opportunities and include exhibitions, talks, lectures, tours and the productions of visual arts by local, national and international artists.

It will have a growing contemporary collection of works associated with the region.

We are exploring to partner with the Breaverbrook Art Gallery to establish a satellite site in Miramichi.

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Concept – Castle Galleries

We will house Acadian and Aboriginal art collections such acclaimed New Brunswick painter Bruno Boback and the internationally acclaimed Acadian heritage painter Léo B. Leblanc.

Partnership with the New Brunswick Arts Board to promote Aboriginal artists and promote the development and creation of culturally specific / contemporary Aboriginal works.

Include in the foyer area of the Castle a very rare painting (10ft x 18ft) on the Acadian Deportation by the nationally acclaimed 20th Century Acadian painter Edouard Gaudreau.

The surrounding gardens will be for use by artists and as a tourism attraction.

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Location

The old St-Marie’s convent located on King George Highway is situated centrally on a large 3.8 acre lot. It is a 4 storey steel framed building with brick/stone exterior.

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The Miramichi International Convent Art Studios

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The Miramichi International Convent Art Studios

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Convent Art Studios Loft Floor plan

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Convent Art Studios Lofts

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Convent Art Studios Lofts

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Concept – Convent Art Studios

It will be adapted to lofts (open concepts studios)for visiting artists and will house workshops, classes, studios, incubators and computer art facilities.

It will have space for the exposition of permanent and temporary art work and will include surrounding gardens for use by artists and as a tourism attraction

It will become a venue for the sale of local goods and artifacts. Lofts for artists will be available while attending workshops or working on major collections

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The Miramichi International Convent Art Studios

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The Miramichi International Convent Art Studios

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The Miramichi International Convent Art Studios

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The Miramichi International Convent Art Studios

Dedicated fly fishing workshop: locals to teach their art and sell products

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Financial and Economic Considerations

Initial estimate of the capital (one time) works needed is approximately $8.5million. An additional $1 million will be required to make both buildings handicap accessible

Initial feasibility for the operations, after 2 years the annual expenses will be $1.2 million, with revenues estimated at $800,000, therefore a recovery of 75%.

Direct economic spin-off: During the construction phase: 60+ FTE jobsDuring the operational phase: 20+ FTE jobs annuallySignificant indirect economic spin-off such as taxes, hospitality, tourism, transportation and indirect jobs.

100% local distribution of the labour, material and professional services contracts, all capital and operational expenditures funding will stay in the local and regional economies.

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Next Steps

Answer your questions

Obtain approval in-principle to move to next phase: detailed planning (project approval).

Work in collaboration with Business New Brunswick to prepare necessary applications for funding

Start initial design work and construction by latest March 2008 in order to have the venues opened by summer 2009 in conjunction with Acadian World Congress.

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Mr. Yvon FuroyEstablished and successful entrepreneur that is passionate about art, he has a significant collection of paintings

Is a visionary who has a dream to promote local culture and has found his calling in Miramichi.

Mr. Furoy has invested resources and effort in this project and obtained letters of intents from local and non-local artists and art collectors for the exhibition of their paintings worth millions of dollars.

“I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE DIRECT ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY AND ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN ACHIEVING ITS ECONOMIC AND CULTUREAL OBJECTIVES.” (Yvon Furoy)