A community art and education centre that made its home in the historic Old Elliot School nestled in Orange Valley has been asked to move out by its landlords of almost 20 years.

Having to relocate came as painful news for the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation, one year after the gallery and educational arts programme was able to rally with the support of the community in the wake of a financial crisis.

However, Fiona Rodriguez-Roberts, the founder and director, told The Royal Gazette: “We are resilient, and we’ve shown that in these 20 years going through recessions, going through Covid, all the fabulous humans who have worked here, children and adults, are resilient.”

She acknowledged that “in a perfect world, we would love to stay here, but we can make magic anywhere”.

Ms Rodriguez-Roberts added: “And we are necessary. I know that’s why we will find somewhere. But we will not be able to do it alone.”

Kaleidoscope began in 1998 as an education resource for the visual arts, and became a foundation and charity in 2006 when it moved to the former Elliot School on the corner of Parsons Lane and Jubilee Road in Devonshire.

Despite the long history of the building, the schoolhouse and its grounds were in poor condition, and today hold four classrooms — with the tree-shaded gardens considered a fifth classroom by staff and children.

Kaleidoscope was not yet a non-profit when the opportunity arose to move in at Jubilee Road.

Ms Rodriguez-Roberts said the years since were “really about making a home and building a community”.

She recalled struggling in school but finding an outlet at home as a child with artistic parents, adding: “Because I had that, a way to create and express what was in my head, it was hopeful, and all children should have that.”

The rural setting and wooded surroundings also proved ideal.

“It’s really important for children, and for all humans, to be able to regulate themselves out in nature,” she said.

Each year, Kaleidoscope serves about 1,000 children aged from 18 months to 18 years, with more than 50 per cent from the public school system.

There are six full-time teachers, with additional summer staff catering to up to 46 students a week, with interns and volunteers chipping in.

Informed on March 31 that they would have one year to vacate, Ms Rodriguez-Roberts and operations manager Danielle Frith said they had been given a decent amount of time to deal with the news.

Ms Frith said: “The hard thing is we are still in conversation, trying to extend that timeline and find out what the plans are and if there is any flexibility.”

Having to be out by March 31, 2026, means Kaleidoscope does not get to finish its school year. Options include finding a temporary location, followed by somewhere permanent.

Ms Frith said: “The big thing for us is that our teachers and students make the magic that is Kaleidoscope, but having a safe space is essential.

“We say that the other teacher is the space.”

Ms Rodriguez-Roberts said: “The idea of finding a forever home in seven months on this island is not likely, but I am hopeful.

“I would love to not interrupt the programme for the children and make it as seamless as possible for them.”

With a number of school buildings freed up by the Government’s educational reforms, the foundation has also put in a letter of interest asking to be informed if spaces become available.

Ms Rodriguez-Roberts said: “The most ideal thing would be to find a property where we could grow.

“That might be unrealistic — but what we did 20 years ago was unrealistic. As a Bermudian, I know the Bermudian way is to get there through the community, as we saw last year.”

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