the vancouver arts community will be celebrating today, with the announcement from the city of vancouver to convert city-owned property into 26,300 sq. ft. of new studio space in east vancouver. 

feeling the pressure of one of the most unaffordable cities in the world, many artists are struggling in Vancouver. This is a significant step in the right direction for the city that is often criticized for its lack of arts support. 

located near the Renfrew Business Centre and the Art Institute of Vancouver’s East Vancouver campus, The location is ideal as it close to transit and a strong, growing creative community.

From the City of Vancouver press release:

The City of Vancouver announced a number of measures today that will significantly increase the availability of artists’ studio spaces, including over 26,300 sq. ft. of new studio and creative space that will be made available on two city-owned properties.

“Vancouver has the highest concentration of artists in Canada, and artists continue to constitute one of the fastest-growing segments of our labour force,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “The success of our creative economy is crucial to the health of our city, and today’s announcement is another example of how City Hall can help support local artists by increasing studio space.”

As part of a move to increase studio space in Vancouver, the City will be issuing a request for proposals for the use of 26,300 sq. ft. of new artists’ space at two city-owned industrial warehouses: 16,000 sq. ft. at 251 & 281 Industrial and 10,300 sq. ft. at 2625 & 2629 Kaslo. The leases will be for 3-5 years, with the aim to have tenants in place this winter.

Other measures the City is taking to support artists include:

• An additional 13,000 sq. ft. of new studio space is committed for three recently approved developments, including 20 studios in 10,000 sq. ft. of space at 1265 Howe;
• Issuing an RFP for a tenant at the Wall Centre at 102-160 West 1st, where 44,500 sq. ft. of space is designed to accommodate a 250-seat theatre and a rehearsal hall;
• The Park Board is offering six additional field houses rent-free to artists in exchange for community-engaged arts projects and programming.

 

For more information, please contact:

Braeden Caley
Executive Assistant, Media Relations and Communications
Office of the Mayor - City of Vancouver
Office: 604.873.7490 - Cell: 778.918.7973

Find the Mayor’s Office on Twitter: @VanMayorsOffice