Open Space History

1971 Gene Miller begins programming visual art, theatrical performances, and literary events at 510 Fort Street. 

1972 The centre is incorporated in October under the name The Greater Victoria Theatre Box Society. Music programming begins with Don Druik’s piano and electronic compositions. 

1975 510 Fort Street is purchased. 

1977 The Theatre Box Society changes its name to Open Space Arts Society. 

1978 New music begins with Bill Bartlett’s and John Celona’s Collaboratory. 

1978 Sat-Tel-Comp is one of the first telematic video transmissions utilizing satellite technology; this project identified Open Space as a leader in new media. 

1983 Diana Burgoyne’s performance Digital Body in the downtown areas of Victoria is one of the earliest experiments with electronic sound as part of an interactive performance. 

1986 Open Space initiates the Open Ears Series with the new music concert series Monday Nights at Open Space. 

1998 Open Space website is initiated as a programming space.  

2001 Open Space begins a partnership with Interactive Futures, an international symposium, art installation, and new media festival affiliated with the Victoria Independent Film and Video Festival. 

2004 Open Space begins developing a comprehensive print, audio, and digital Resource Centre @ Open Space in 1999 and launches it in 2004 with the support of the Vancouver Foundation. 

2004 Audiospace extends the physical space of the artist-run centre by presenting audio works designed specifically for web dissemination. 

2008 Open Space establishes the Open Space Endowment.