Winnipeggers likely know Artspace, the 126-year-old brick-and-stone warehouse that overlooks Old Market Square, as the home of Dave Barber Cinematheque, a cornerstone of independent film culture and a vital, artist-driven hub for local and international filmmakers.

Tonight, they’ll get a chance to see everything else in the Exchange District arts hub, located at 100 Arthur St., as Artspace celebrates its 40th anniversary with an event to raise funds for several accessibility projects.

The six-storey, 55,000-square-foot building is home to 25 arts organizations and 14 artist studios. Coinciding with First Fridays in the Exchange, many of Artspace’s tenants will host walkthroughs and events in the spaces they use to produce their work.

The event will feature open artist studios, book readings, documentary screenings, live music and a dance party. Doors open at 7 p.m., entry is by donation and 23 of the building’s tenants are participating.

“It’s a little bit more of a birthday party than, you know, just an open house,” Artspace executive director Mahri White said.

All are welcome to visit the open studios, drop into a Jazz Winnipeg “speakeasy,” watch films at Cinematheque’s Gimme Some Truth documentary festival and listen to readings by members of local literary organizations, such as the Manitoba Writers’ Guild.

The organization received a $500,000 capital grant from the Winnipeg Foundation in 2025 to put toward integral building upgrades, but White said more work is needed on items such as an elevator that malfunctions often, issues with the wheelchair lift, and improvements to washrooms that no longer meet accessibility standards.

“There’s just quite a lot of things within the building that need fixing,” White said.

White said the timing was perfect. Artspace’s anniversary created an opportunity to invite people inside to raise money and ensure the space remains accessible.

White describes Artspace as “an apartment building for arts organizations.”

“Most people think of Cinematheque, but it’s so, so much bigger,” she said.

Printmaker Allan Geske knows that better than most.

“I’ve been in this building for more than 40 years, in the same studio, which is quite remarkable,” Geske said.

Geske worked in the building before it officially became Artspace. In 1984, the Manitoba Centennial Centre assumed ownership of the former Gault Building and leased it to Artspace Inc. for $1 per year for 99 years. The goal at the time was to create a home for artists and art organizations.

Looking around today, Geske believes that vision has been fulfilled. On any given day, he shares his studio and the building with filmmakers, playwrights, publishers, musicians, photographers, painters and instrument makers.

“It’s kind of the main hub of the Exchange District,” he said.

Over the years, artists have collaborated and shared their work, creating a congenial atmosphere.

“I think we learned from each other. We’ve traded arts with people. We’ve worked together; we’ve worked independently,” Geske said. “

What’s kept him there all these years is the community embedded in the building, he said.

The same is true for Winnipeg Film Group, which has operated from Artspace since its earliest days.

“Without Artspace, the Film Group wouldn’t be able to exist, really,” said Leslie Supnet, WFG executive director.

Supnet said the building’s affordable rent has allowed the group to invest in programming, filmmaking, equipment rentals and archival work.

“The ability to have low rent has been a game changer, and that’s why we’ve been here for so long,” Supnet said.

For White, one of the most exciting parts of Friday’s event is the chance to show people everything that happens behind the walls and in the studios.

“Everybody kind of knows Artspace is like the building that’s in Old Market Square, but we’re really excited to let people in,” she said.

arts@winnipegfreepress.com

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