Who we are
The Vancouver Independent Music Centre Society (VIM) is a community of musicians, music presenters, managers, concert goers, business people and professionals that support the development of an affordable, accessible, sustainable and culturally diverse music centre on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded Indigenous territories of the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, now known as Vancouver.
We are a non-profit, charitable organization founded in 2011 as a direct response to the increasing loss of affordable, adaptable venues for presenting music.
We’re dedicated to getting it right. We’ve come a long way since starting to plan a purpose built music centre in 2010. Responses from all sectors of the community continue to drive us forward. A series of studies has determined the feasibility for a new state-of-the-art venue that suits the needs of audiences and the greater music community. Those studies have given us the foundation to move on to the next stage of the planning process.
Our vision
A Vancouver Music Centre that:
- is designed for acoustic excellence and accessibility;
- programs music and sound art of diverse genres, cultures and perspectives;
- provides a warm, welcoming, safe, respectful and vibrant ambience;
- creates bridges through artistic and community partnerships and collaborations;
- promotes life long learning about music, its history and emerging forms;
- is sustainable and supports environmentally friendly practices;
- enables global access to programs through a comprehensive digital strategy;
- supports social justice
Every era has had its own destinations for Vancouver’s best music, and we intend to honour and build on this rich legacy:
1920s and 1930s
Hogan’s Alley, The Cave
1950s, 1960s and 1970s
The Smilin’ Buddha, The Cellar, The Harlem Nocturne, Isy’s Supper Club, Oil Can Harry’s, The Classical Joint
1980s and 1990s
Richards on Richards, Town Pump, The Glass Slipper, Rossini’s, The Landmark Hotel
2000s
The Cellar Jazz Club
Sadly, these Vancouver venues (and many more) have been lost for different reasons, from increasing costs, to re-development, to retirement. With your generous support, we can make the VIM House happen and build Vancouver’s first centre designed for music, musicians, concert goers, students and all eager to hear the past, present and future of music.
OUR DESIGN
Inspired by the original Bimhuis in Amsterdam, VIM will be a safe and adaptable space. A place that feels familiar, to come as you are and listen and play; to sit and reflect or move and respond. Whether you are a musician or music listener, VIM will be a welcoming place to experience music in a multitude of ways.
In 2017, Arup, a prominent San Francisco-based acoustical engineering firm issued the acoustical design concept for the VIM based on discussions with over 50 musicians, sound technicians and production staff, presenters and concert goers that began in 2014.
These studies are being used in the design and helping make a long-awaited dream come true – the opening of VIM House, Vancouver’s first music centre!
Click here to view the planning and studies.
OUR MODEL
We are developing an operational model that will work for audiences as well as the diverse music community. A favoured model, based in part on the Roundhouse Community Centre, is that the VIM House would partner with existing and emerging presenters as well as individual artists to present concerts and to support community, neighbourhood and educational programs, classes, workshops, clinics, creative residencies and music appreciation. This will enable a range of music programming over time.
The Business Plan was developed with support from financial agencies, local successful restaurateurs, business operators and developers, and venue managers.
Click here to view our upcoming and past programs or make a donation here.