The Khyber Centre for the Arts is located at 1880 Hollis St. (see map) in downtown Halifax NS, which is on Kjipuktuk, unceded and unsurrendered Mi’kmaq territory.
TREATIES ON MI’KMA’KI
ABOUT THE KHYBER
GALLERY HOURS: 12-5PM Tuesday-Saturday or by appointment with info@khyber.ca
These hours only apply when the gallery is presenting or hosting an exhibition.
The Khyber would like to accommodate your needs as best as possible, however, we recognize that there are many types of existing barriers one may face when accessing the centre. Please send inquiry, feedback, or resources regarding accessibility and improvement by phone (text/call 902.817.6620) or email (info@khyber.ca).
COVID-19 PROTOCOL
COVID-19 protocol is subject to change in the gallery and is determined according to Khyber community safety and public health guidelines. 72 visitors may access the centre during events, open hours, or by appointment scheduled with Khyber staff and artists. During public gallery hours and events, masks, and hand sanitizing are mandatory and made available upon entry for visitors. COVID-19 tests are also onsite and available to any visitor or Khyber user, and Khyber staff are required to test on a regular basis. When no visitors are present, our small staff team may co-work without wearing masks. The Khyber is equipped with a HEPA filtration system, which functions during all gallery hours and events. Staff and artists are to keep all public surfaces sanitized throughout their shifts. Visitors, staff, and artists should not enter the space if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the virus and are asked to please keep a physical distance from those who are outside of their bubble when visiting. When the centre is being used as a private artist studio or office, artists and staff must decide and communicate with each other any protocol around private function community care, precautionary, and preventive practices while sharing space. UPD March 20, 2024.
PHYSICAL BARRIERS
The Khyber’s staff are on-call, ready, and willing to assist with anything regarding physical access during gallery and event hours (text/call 902.817.6620). The Granville Mall entrance on Hollis St. is a ground-level entry and exit that has automatic doors which can be used during open hours or outside of those if arrangements are made with staff and/or artists. The direct entrance to the Khyber on Hollis St. is 2-steps from the sidewalk, with a heavy non-automatic door that requires a turn, then a push or pull. There are gender-neutral washrooms, which include 3 toilets and a urinal located up a set of 10 stairs. There is a more private, ground-level all genders wheelchair-accessible washroom, which is located down a wide hallway that includes a ramp.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus Routes: CLICK HERE to view the Halifax Transit System map for the complete list of bus routes. The two bus stations that are within walking distance to the Khyber are the Scotia Square Terminal and the Water Street terminal. Bus tickets can be purchased when on the bus for $2.75 for adults and a transfer lasts for 3 hours and works for bus and ferry in any direction.
Parking: There are parking spots to the right when driving off of Cogswell onto Hollis street, though they are limited in number. There are paid parking lots located at Brunswick Place, in Scotia Square on Albemarle Street as well as Lower Water Street. Zone B meter parking is available during our weekday hours. Downtown street parking is free on Saturday and Sunday and after 6pm on weekdays.
Cellphone Charging Stations: Whether you are walking, driving, or busing to your next stop, we want you to leave the space with a phone fully charged! There are charging stations for both iPhone and Android phones at the bar during Khyber events or in the office during gallery hours.
LANGUAGE BARRIERS
Unless it is advertised otherwise per event, the Khyber’s staff members speak and write fluently in English language only. Sign language interpretation, transcription, as well as other forms of written and/or verbal language translation, is present and specified in the advertising of some, but not all of Khyber’s events and can be booked by email to info@khyber.ca.
ALLERGY & SCENT SENSITIVITY
The Khyber is a public space and although we encourage folks to refrain from using scents or bringing in food, plants, or animals containing allergens, we cannot guarantee this in the space or at events.
ALCOHOL
Although much of our programming is dry and for all-ages, the Khyber is not an entirely dry space as we operate a licensed bar at some of our events and do have alcohol on site. We do not allow or condone the use of outside alcohol or drug substances in the space.
FREE & PWYC ENTRY
The Khyber has no entrance fees during our gallery hours. In addition, we offer many free programs and resources, as well as a pay-what-you-can (PWYC) entry for all events, online and offline. Our hope in offering a PWYC option is that people from all financial backgrounds, including those facing barriers, systemically, long-term, or temporarily, will feel welcome to attend. We would like to show appreciation to all who come out to our events and are dedicated to never turning away any individual due to lack of funds. We recognize that a reality for many who see PWYC on events, still feel pressure to contribute financially, even though they may not have the means to do so. We do not want you to skip your dream event due to perceived financial obligations, so please come!
SPACIAL AGREEMENTS & SAFER SPACES DOOR POLICY
Click the link above to read the policy that is in print and present at all events at the centre. In brief, know that Khyber has anti-violence and pro-survivor policies in place, and will not tolerate discrimination or violent acts, which includes but is not limited to: racism, white supremacy, sexism, heterosexism/homophobia, cissexism/transphobia, queerphobia, sizeism, ableist and ageist comments, sexualized and all acts of violence and harassment. This is in effect at all times and under all conditions at the centre.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE & ASSAULT POLICY
Click the link above to read our policy in full. Artists and staff during orientation must read and show understanding of the preamble. The Khyber aims to combat sexualized violence through a survivor-centric and anti-oppressive framework which is essential to building a more accessible and care-based space.