A petition has been launched to convince the Government to consider changing the use of one of its properties as a new home for the imperilled Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation.

The petition on Change.org, which had amassed 413 signatures as of last night, comes as the community arts charity faces eviction from its location of 20 years on Jubilee Road, Devonshire.

Kaleidoscope submitted a proposal to the Government in August for a “change of use” for the neglected residential property Montpelier, formerly the designated home of the deputy governor, which the Government is seeking to renovate into rental housing.

Last night, the Ministry of Public Works and Environment said Kaleidoscope had failed to provide details in time after meeting twice with officials, with the window for accessing “temporary use of an alternative facility” now lapsed.

The charity, which provides art education including for government preschools, offered to foot the bill for its renovation as an educational facility at an estimated cost of $2 million.

Montpelier is a Grade III-listed structure in disrepair after sitting empty since 2018.

The Department of Planning shows an application filed on October 19 for “internal renovations and additions” with the demolition of a garage and driveway.

The building’s status is listed as “in review”.

Eve Godet Thomas, the chairwoman of the foundation’s board of directors and director of programming and engagement at the Bermuda National Gallery, has stated in an op-ed in today’s edition that “time is of the essence”.

She wrote: “Nestled on the edges of the Arboretum, the building would provide both the indoor and outdoor space that Kaleidoscope requires.

“Crucially, Kaleidoscope has proposed to raise the funds needed to cover the cost of the extensive renovations needed — which are expected to run close to $2 million — alleviating the cost from the taxpayer.

“The proposal for the adaptive use of Montpelier was sent in together with supporting letters from the Bermuda National Trust, leaders in the cultural community, and longtime Kaleidoscope parents such as Kim Dismont-Robinson [the former director of the Department of Culture].

“Please stand with them, and with Kaleidoscope, in encouraging the Government to reconsider plans for the building to be converted into a high-end private residential rental and apply for a change of use.

“Meanwhile, Montpelier continues to fall into further disrepair and Kaleidoscope’s future continues to hang in the balance — as does that of all the children it serves.”

She added that Charlotte Andrews, the head of cultural heritage at the BNT, wrote in a letter of support that “public ownership of such a visible heritage site should, ideally, be aligned with community-serving uses”.

Fiona Rodriguez-Roberts, the founder and executive director of Kaleidoscope, said the charity had yet to hear definitive comeback from the Government on its proposal.

She told the Gazette: “We’re just hoping that, with enough of the community coming forward, that Government might change its use to allow a non-profit community arts centre to come in and renovate, and serve thousands of children every year.

“I am still going down every single avenue — but Montpelier would tick all the boxes for Kaleidoscope. It has the grounds for us to plant another garden, it has enough building space and it is attached to a tree museum with fully grown trees that our students will be able to enjoy.

“There is so much work that KAF needs to do in the community. Our hope is to secure a change of use to allow Montpelier to be turned into a community centre that would benefit children, artists, families and teachers for generations to come.

“It is a beautiful building and piece of land, and we would love to be able to restore it.”

The online petition is at c.org/4N6Tc9HPMz.

Last night, a ministry spokesman said the estates department had met twice with Kaleidoscope representatives to “assess potential accommodation options and to provide guidance on the formal process required”.

The first meeting came with a site viewing. The spokesman said the organisation then confirmed that “the space did not meet their operational requirements”.

He said they met next at the department offices, where a representative “clarified that certain government facilities requested by the organisation are not available, as they are already designated or committed for official government use”.

“In an effort to assist with the organisation's impending displacement, the estates representatives advised that temporary use of an alternative facility could be explored, subject to the completion of the required estates commercial request form.

“Kaleidoscope was asked to provide essential information, including their anticipated timeline, space requirements and operational needs. The estates representatives also discussed broader, longer-term possibilities, including exploring potential government-supported solutions for a permanent facility under a lease arrangement.”

The spokesman said the required form was e-mailed on the same day as the meeting, with no “response, documentation or follow-up” received.

“As a result, the window for consideration has lapsed, and the temporary option is no longer available due to government repurposing activities now under way.

“The estates department remains committed to following established procedures and supporting organisations, such as Kaleidoscope, within the parameters of government policy and availability.”

He added: “It should be noted that Montpelier is not being renovated for an executive private rental. It remains the official residence of the deputy governor.”