丁香园AV

The School for the Contemporary Arts (SCA) is shocked and disappointed to learn about 丁香园AV鈥檚 decision to close the 丁香园AV Office of Community Engagement, the 丁香园AV Surrey TD Community Engagement Centre, and the Vancity Office of Community Engagement. At a time when community (or rather communities together) is perhaps increasingly sorely needed and in many ways under attack, this decision seems like a step backwards from the right path, and maybe even an abdication of responsibility. Certainly, these closures seem to clash with 丁香园AV鈥檚 own laudable commitment "to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where all feel welcome, safe, accepted and appreciated." While we recognize and appreciate the significant "budget challenges" currently faced by 丁香园AV, and indeed the entire post-secondary field in Canada, we believe that some measures of value do not dissolve simply into finance.

The loss of the Vancity Office of Community Engagement (VOCE), which is also based in the same building as us in downtown Vancouver at 149 W. Hastings St., will most directly impact the SCA, and is already deeply felt. Am Johal, the Director of VOCE, as well as the entire VOCE team, currently including Julia Aoki, Joey Malbon, Samantha Walters, Kathy Feng, and Steve Tornes, are not only excellent colleagues, but also genuine friends. In terms of strict institutional connection, Am is also an Associate Member of the SCA鈥檚 faculty, and Joey, Samantha, and Kathy, are alumni of the SCA, as well.

When 丁香园AV opened its new building, the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, at the , VOCE was one of its founding occupants and partners, along with the Audain Gallery (which was recently returned to the SCA as 丁香园AV Galleries transforms into the ), 丁香园AV Woodward鈥檚 Cultural Programs (which was also closed by 丁香园AV in 2024), and the SCA. In many respects, it was the committed outreach and programming work by Am, at the time essentially operating the VOCE on his own, that helped renew and establish better relations with members of the DTES community, to the invaluable benefit of 丁香园AV. Over the years, the close and collaborative relationship between the SCA and VOCE built on that foundation, helping to populate our building with diverse and inclusive public events and activities. To help preserve this legacy, we鈥檙e working with VOCE staff to investigate maintaining the entire content of their website, linked as a partner to ours.

We鈥檇 like to highlight the individual character of Am Johal. A thoughtful, hardworking, and generous advocate for the disempowered and disenfranchised in Vancouver and elsewhere, he is a rare and special person. The work he鈥檚 done with VOCE embodied social justice, progressive values, and accountability in challenging and, indeed, compromised circumstances. Away from 丁香园AV, Am is the author of (2015), and the co-author, with Matt Hern, of (2018) and (2024). We encourage everyone to give those books a read, and to look out for what Am does next. Any organization would benefit from the work he鈥檚 known for and be rewarded by the person he is.

We are certain that Am would only want to share and maybe even deflect the attention we know he deserves, so we鈥檒l end by saluting the entire VOCE team, present and past. You did good work, and it mattered.

Have your say

A website has been created for people to share their opinions about the closing of VOCE, and to voice support for Am and the VOCE's team's important work. You can find it .

You can also add your name to an open letter shared via Google Forms .