The Victoria Conservatory of Music is pleased to introduce Greenhouse, our newly updated space at 1411 Quadra Street, at the corner of Johnson and Quadra.
Home to student classes, recitals, performances, and community programming, Greenhouse also expands the Conservatory’s capacity to welcome independent arts presentations, live music, venue rentals, and special events. The versatile hall can accommodate audiences of up to 185 guests.
A space for growth
Greenhouse has been thoughtfully refreshed while preserving the character that has made the space distinctive for decades. Original wood floors dating to the 1950s have been beautifully restored, while updated amenities support the many ways the hall will be used today. The renewal of the space was supported in part by an anonymous donor.
The name Greenhouse reflects what will happen within its walls: students developing their skills, artists sharing new work, creative ideas taking shape, and people coming together through music and the arts.
“The Conservatory’s programming has doubled over the past 20 years, and the addition of Greenhouse will enable that growth to continue. The idea of growth – the growth of live arts, the growth of students and service to the next generation, the seeding of creative ideas and the development of new works, renewal for the Harris Green neighbourhood through art and learning, this is all behind the new name”, said Nathan Medd, Victoria Conservatory of Music CEO.
Building on a creative history
Greenhouse may have a new name, but creativity and community have long been part of the building’s story.
Formerly known as the Metro Studio Theatre, the space was added to Metropolitan United Church in 1952. It was also the birthplace of Our Place Society through the United Church street ministry known as the Open Door.
More recently, Intrepid Theatre established the hall as a home for artistic experimentation and new work across many disciplines. Greenhouse builds on that legacy while beginning a new chapter as part of the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
“There’s an incredible creative and community story to this space that we will work together to build on in the years ahead. Our city has its challenges with performance spaces, and the Conservatory will help by programming Greenhouse to its maximum capacity. Even before the venue opens this fall, we can see that it will be busier than ever before, with the same mix of performances, academic programming, and rental events that Conservatory venues are known for”, said Medd.
With classes, performances, and rentals already filling the calendar this fall, Greenhouse is ready to welcome students, artists, audiences, and the wider community through its doors.
Open House
The public is invited to an Open House at Greenhouse on October 15 from 5:00-6:30pm, with an opportunity to explore the newly updated space firsthand.
RSVP for the Greenhouse Open House:
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