Closed
Artist Studio Award program
Provides subsidized studio spaces to support Vancouver-based artists
Last Update: March 6, 2026
Funding available
No Condition
Timeline
- Open Date : June 30, 2021
- Closing date : August 4, 2021
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Overview
The Artist Studio Award Program by the City of Vancouver provides low-income, Vancouver-based artists with access to below-market-rate studio spaces—ranging from $165 to $470 per month—for a term of approximately three years. The program supports the development of artistic practices across disciplines by offering both live-work and work-only studios for eligible activities such as dance, music, painting, creative writing, photography, sculpture, and more.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open Date : June 30, 2021
- Closing date : August 4, 2021
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Vancouver
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- $ 55,500 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Canadians
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development and production of visual and studio arts such as painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery, and textile craft.
- Pursuit of creative writing, literature, and literary arts projects.
- Creation of music, sound, and video art.
- Engagement in performing arts, including dance and related creative practices.
- Development of photography projects, both moving and still images.
Eligibility
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
Additional information
- 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.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Artist Studio Award program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Artist Studio Award program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Artist Studio Award program?
The Artist Studio Award Program by the City of Vancouver provides low-income, Vancouver-based artists with access to below-market-rate studio spaces—ranging from $165 to $470 per month—for a term of approximately three years. The program supports the development of artistic practices across disciplines by offering both live-work and work-only studios for eligible activities such as dance, music, painting, creative writing, photography, sculpture, and more.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was August 4, 2021.
Who is eligible for the Artist Studio Award program program?
To be eligible for the Artist Studio Award program program, you must:
Must be a low-income professional artist residing in Vancouver or a member of the host First Nations (Musqueam, Squamish, or Tsleil-Waututh).
Must be Indigenous, Black, or a racialized person.
Household gross annual income that is less than or equal to $55,500.
What expenses are eligible under Artist Studio Award program?
Development and production of visual and studio arts such as painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery, and textile craft.
Pursuit of creative writing, literature, and literary arts projects.
Creation of music, sound, and video art.
Engagement in performing arts, including dance and related creative practices.
Development of photography projects, both moving and still images.
Who can I contact for more information about the Artist Studio Award program?
You can contact City of Vancouver by email at cultural.spaces@vancouver.ca or by phone at 604.873.7211.
Where is the Artist Studio Award program available?
The Artist Studio Award program program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Artist Studio Award program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Artist Studio Award program is a Grant and Funding
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