Having spent time at the Spitsbergen Artists Center as a guest artist and recently exhibiting my work there, I have seen firsthand how important this place is. It is far more than a building—it is a vital artist-run hub that brings together artists, residents, businesses, and visitors from around the world. The loss of this extraordinary creative space would be a devastating blow to Longyearbyen's cultural life and the future of artistic activity in the High Arctic.