Vancouver artists are getting a boost from the City of Vancouver in the form of new studio space.
Mayor Gregor Robertson announced Tuesday the city will add 26,300 square feet of new studio and creative space at two city-owned industrial 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 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.”
The city will be issuing a request for proposals for the use of new artists’ space at two city-owned industrial warehouses: 16,000 square feet at 251 and 281 Industrial Ave. and 10,300 square feet at 2625 and 2629 Kaslo Street.
Artists will be offered leases of three to five years.
The city is also making an additional 13,000 square feet of new studio space available at three recently approved developments, including 20 studios in 10,000 square feet of space at 1265 Howe Street.
The city’s parks board is also offering six additional field houses rent-free to artists in exchange for community arts projects and programming.
