The New Media Gallery in New Westminster’s Anvil Centre, which operated from 2014 to 2024 showcasing technology-based art, is set to be refreshed and reopened after being paused following the departure of director-curators Sarah Joyce and Gordon Duggan. A 10-year review of the Anvil Centre identified the gallery as a key cultural asset, and city council approved recruitment for a new single director-curator position to lead the renewal, with an annual budget of about $650,000 for the gallery and adjacent Art & Technology LAB.
The reopening matters because the New Media Gallery was a significant draw and cultural asset for New Westminster, featuring works by over 200 international artists in 35 curated exhibits. The city’s commitment to refresh the mandate and resume exhibitions under new leadership signals continued investment in new media art as part of civic identity and economic vitality, though finding a director-curator with the specialized expertise may be challenging.