Artist Studio Award program

Who is eligible?

• Individual professional artists working in any artistic discipline

Who is not eligible

• Businesses and companies; this program is dedicated exclusively to individual artists, not organizations or corporations.
• Artists engaged in high-impact activities such as welding, glassblowing, or amplified music, as these are not permitted in the provided studios.

Eligible expenses

• Below-market rent for artist studio spaces (live-work or work-only units).
• Occupancy costs including utilities, phone, insurance (liability and contents), moving expenses and charges.
• Basic maintenance and small repairs related to studio occupancy.

Eligible geographic areas

• City of Vancouver
• xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations community members

• Quality of the applicant’s artistic and cultural practice.
• Demonstrated social location, including identity as an IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, People of Colour) artist, and relationship to the unceded territories of the Host Nations.
• Demonstration of financial need as per program requirements.
• Support and recognition from the applicant’s peers and communities.
• Explanation of how access to studio space will support the development of the applicant’s artistic and/or cultural practice and career, with a clear, well-researched, and achievable timeline.

• Step 1: Review Program Information
  • Thoroughly read the Artist Studio Award Program Information Guide to understand requirements and process.
• Step 2: Initial Eligibility Screening
  • Access the online eligibility screening tool to determine if you meet the program's eligibility criteria.
• Step 3: Complete Application (For Eligible Applicants)
  • Submit a detailed application including:
  • Résumé or CV (maximum 3 pages).
  • Detailed contact information.
  • Household annual gross income for specified years.
  • Statement describing your artistic practice.
  • Statement on your planned artistic work for the award period.
  • Statement on how the studio award will support your practice.
  • Statement sharing your social location, including your identity as an IBPOC artist and relationship to Vancouver.
  • Peer or community references (up to 3).
  • Rental reference.
  • Signed declaration.
• Step 4: Request Accommodations (If Needed)
  • Contact program staff before the specified accommodation request deadline for translation, Braille, or application writing assistance, if required.
• Step 5: Submission of Application
  • Submit the completed application and all supporting documents via the designated online portal by the program deadline.
• Step 6: Shortlisting and Documentation Validation
  • If shortlisted, provide requested documentation to validate residency, Indigenous community membership (if applicable), financial need, and references.
  • Respond to follow-up requests from Cultural Services staff.
• Step 7: Assessment and Selection
  • Applications are reviewed and assessed by Cultural Services staff, possibly with feedback from local arts and culture professionals.
• Step 8: Notification and Approval
  • Selected artists are notified directly by staff before recommendations are submitted to City Council for approval.
• Step 9: Sign Lease and Confirm Award
  • Sign a standard City lease agreement, provide a security deposit, and assume responsibility for occupancy costs as outlined.

• The program is part of Vancouver’s long-term culture plans, specifically initiatives to advance reconciliation, decolonization, cultural equity, and accessibility in the arts sector.
• All studios in the current cycle are occupied, and the next intake for new applications is not expected before 2026.
• There are ongoing plans to develop additional artist studio spaces, with updates provided through the city’s VanCulture newsletter.
• A glossary of terms relating to the program is available through the City of Vancouver's website for further clarity on definitions used.