Arts Umbrella will be the new tenant of the South Building of the former Emily Carr University of Art + Design campus on Granville Island, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture announced today.

The not-for-profit arts education organization will take over the 4,600 net square-metre (50,000 net square-foot) space in 2018.

The commitment to transfer the building to Arts Umbrella had initially been made in March 2017. An October 2017 review by government found the original decision-making process was rushed and did not offer opportunities to other organizations to express interest. However, because the review also determined Arts Umbrella has moved forward in good faith with its fundraising and planning, the B.C. government decided to support the transfer.

Founded in 1979, Arts Umbrella provides arts education for children and youth aged two to 22 years in visual arts, theatre, applied arts, media arts and dance. The organization is currently housed in an approximately 1,300 net square-metre (14,000 net square-foot) space on Granville Island, with satellite facilities elsewhere in Vancouver and Surrey.

Arts Umbrella is fundraising to support the move to the new facility, and is expected to move to the South Building in 2019.