At the November 2025 West Shore Arts Gala, the Juan de Fuca Performing Arts Centre Society (PACS) unveiled the vision for the proposed West Shore Arts and Culture Centre. This vision was based on a one-day Charette process held with more than 70 arts and cultural groups across Greater Victoria, and it deeply reflects their input as well as the in-depth knowledge of the Cascadia Architects (CAS) team. As the final site has yet to be determined, these renderings reflect a fictional location in the West Shore.
The Charette began in small groups with a review of the proposed building program. Participants were asked: How should this building work? What should it provide? What spaces would support these activities? What sizes should they be? What relationships should exist between spaces? What might be missing?
Following a break, the group reassembled at two large tables and began to explore ideas and design principles for the new building. The two groups worked closely with CAS architects to arrange the program elements developed in the first session on an imaginary site. Working together, the groups developed virtual representations of how the centre might appear and function.
The building program, refined through the Charette process, reflects PACS’ vision for a broad, community-centred facility that supports a wide range of artistic interests across various art forms, including theatre, music, dance, visual arts, ceramics, spoken word, and literary arts. The proposed arts centre would serve both as a creative, transformational space where art of all types can be explored, and as a performance and presentation venue where creative works can be publicly shared. The program includes learning spaces where art forms can be taught and practiced, as well as community spaces—including a café, gallery, and outdoor amphitheatre—where the community can gather and enjoy all forms of art.
Explore the Cascadia Report, with accompanying images.
