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FIRST UNITED formally launches a new art initiative as part of its First Forward capital campaign at a reception hosted by Bruce Wright. Photo by Maxine Bulloch.

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territory/Vancouver, B.C. – Construction of the FIRST UNITED redevelopment project at 320 East Hastings in the Downtown Eastside is approximately one year from completion. Today, FIRST UNITED is introducing a new art initiative as part of its capital campaign and announcing $1 million in support from the Audain Foundation.

The 11-storey development at Hastings and Gore includes four floors of purpose-built community services and amenities operated by FIRST UNITED, and seven floors of below-market social housing operated by Lu’ma Native Housing Society. Though inclusion of public art is not a requirement for social development projects, doing so was a must for FIRST UNITED.

Says FIRST UNITED Executive Director Amanda Burrows, “Art is one of the main ways we as people and as communities share our culture and our stories. It creates a sense of purpose, dignity and belonging. Representation in art matters. Who is included, who is excluded, and who is even creating these stories matters. In the Downtown Eastside, where histories of colonialism and oppression are directly tied to the erasure of culture, particularly Indigenous culture, we believe that access to and inclusion in public art is inextricably linked to reconciliation and healing in this community.”

Informed by conversations with Indigenous consultants, the exterior of the building respectfully integrates works by Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh artists, holding space for Host Nation art on traditional Host Nation lands, contributing to an ongoing revival of Salish art forms, and standing as a visual welcome to the community. Notable among these exterior features is a woven brickwork pattern by well-known Musqueam Master Weaver and Designer Debra Sparrow. The interior of the building will include works by Urban Indigenous and Downtown Eastside artists, ensuring that the stories and voices of the Downtown Eastside community are represented.

Michael Audain, Chair of the Audain Foundation says, “We’re pleased to support First United’s public art initiative which contributes to a sense of hope and placemaking in the Downtown Eastside, a community that deserves not only housing but vibrant artistic expressions that create a sense of belonging. By weaving together the vision of Host Nation artists with the vital supply of social housing, the building façade will reflect the rich heritage and diverse experience of Indigenous communities in a way that is meaningful and accessible to all.” 

Many of the planned features have been thoughtfully incorporated into the building’s exterior façade and interior spaces, leveraging costs that would have existed with or without the inclusion of art. The associated design, materials, fabrication and installation costs of the planned art, architectural, interior and landscape design elements account for approximately $3 million of FIRST UNITED’s overall $37 million capital campaign fundraising target.

With today’s funding announcement from the Audain Foundation, FIRST UNITED has raised over $1.5 million towards its $3 million art campaign goal, bringing their overall total raised to $31 million.

This fall, the public is invited to support FIRST UNITED’s art campaign and redevelopment project by buying a symbolic brick in support of healing and reconciliation in the Downtown Eastside. Brick donations start at $50 and, thanks to the generosity of another leadership donor, every gift will be triple matched up to $250,000.

QUICK FACTS

• FIRST UNITED is a low-barrier service provider that operates from a harm reduction perspective, welcoming and affirming every individual from all walks of life without exception.
  • FIRST UNITED has operated in the Downtown Eastside since 1885 and is celebrating its 140^th year serving the Downtown Eastside.
  • Their essential services include: community meals, legal advocacy and systems change, tax support, mail and phone services, information and referrals, culturally safe spiritual care, a low-barrier shelter and more.
  • Visit firstunited.ca for more information about the organization, the redevelopment and capital campaign.
  • View the art campaign video on Youtube
  • View the media kit for supporting materials and images available for media use (please credit images per the details provided)
  • To buy a symbolic brick, visit buyabrick.firstunited.ca
• The Audain Foundation was founded by Michael Audain and Yoshiko Karasawa in 1997. Its focus is on supporting the visual arts as well as wildlife conservation in British Columbia.
  • The Foundation provides grants and endowments for visual art exhibitions, education and capital projects in British Columbia.

• Visit the Audain Foundation website for more information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Planned exterior and interior art features at 320 East Hastings:
  • A Salish weaving pattern translated into brickwork by well-known Musqueam Master Weaver and Designer Debra Sparrow
  • Three house posts carved by Musqueam Master Carver Brent Sparrow, Squamish Junior Elder and Hereditary Chief Floyd Joseph, and Carver and Emerging Artist Jonas Jones
  • Vertical sunscreens on the western elevation with custom-fabricated panels featuring laser cut images designed by Tsleil-Waututh Carver, Weaver and Visual Artist ts;simtelot—Ocean Hyland
  • Panels with commissioned art by Musqueam Visual Artist kʷǝlasǝltǝn —Mack Paul on the Hastings Street façade and the entrance to the residential tower on Gore Avenue
  • A copper-coloured metal wall laid in a horizontal pattern inspired by the design of traditional Salish plank houses
  • A totem pole carved by Haida Gwaii Master Carver Bernie Williams set in a feature stairwell
  • A sacred space featuring a façade on two-storey glass windows spanning levels three and four as well as solid wooden doors carved on both sides
  • Art installations by Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Urban Indigenous and Downtown Eastside artists displayed in interior spaces across several floors
  • Additional elements expressed through interior design touches by Patrick Stewart Architects and landscaping detail by matthew thomson design
• Redevelopment project details
  • The total cost of the FIRST UNITED redevelopment project is approximately $92 million
    • The 103 units of social housing cost approximately $54 million and are being collectively funded through grants from BC Housing, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the City of Vancouver
    • FIRST UNITED is the owner of the building. Lu’ma Native Housing Society will operate the housing portion on a 60-year lease
    • The first four floors of the building will be the new FIRST UNITED facility, offering approximately 40,000 square feet of program space and purpose-built amenities
  • Construction is scheduled to complete in November 2025
  • In addition to FIRST UNITED’s current service offerings, the new building meets universal accessibility standards and will offer expanded amenities including:
    • Two community drop-ins and an outdoor deck where community members can rest, gather and hold ceremony
    • Warming, cooling, and wildfire smoke refuge to protect those living unsheltered from extreme climate events
    • Washroom and shower facilities, supporting a basic human right to dignity hygiene
    • Women’s day sleeping, for those who feel unsafe sleeping on the streets at night
    • A computer lab, supporting equal access to the internet and technology
    • Private, multi-purpose and collaborative spaces that provide flexibility for a variety of events, programming and collaborations with other service providers