Artist live-work studio on East 4th Avenue and Scotia Street

Artist Studio Award program

Since 1995, the Artist Studio Award program has provided up to 7 studio spaces to support artists and their work at low or no cost over 3 to 4 year terms. The program is one of many programs, awards and services we offer to advance the vision and goals of:

Making Space for Arts and Culture (11 MB), Vancouver’s 10 year cultural infrastructure plan, which this is part of.
Culture|Shift: Blanketing the City in Arts and Culture (12 MB), our 2020-2029 culture plan. As part of this plan, there is a priority to support affordable non-profit artist spaces and artist housing.

All studios are currently occupied by local artists.

Starting later in 2024, staff will be considering ways to improve the program and do not anticipate a new intake prior to 2026. There are also new studios under development (1.8 MB).

To receive program updates, please sign up for VanCulture

About the program

The Artist Studio Awards program currently provides 6 studios at below-market rates to Vancouver-based artists. Removing financial barriers for the awarded artists supports the development of their cultural and art practice at a critical point in their career.

We are committed to providing dedicated opportunities for artists from historically underrepresented communities and advancing Reconciliation, decolonization, cultural equity and accessibility.

Review the previous program information guide (638 KB)
Artist studios in the program
Studios available

There are six studios in the program:
- Two work-only studios
- Four live-work studios
Restrictions
- Occupancy in the live-work is for one to two adults
- All studios are approved for the production of:
  - Carving
  - Creative writing
  - Dance
  - Drawing
  - Moving or still photography
  - Music
  - Painting
  - Pottery
  - Sculpture
  - Textile craft
  - Weaving
  - Video
- High-impact activities, such as welding, glassblowing, and amplified music, are not permitted within the studios.
- Studios do not have venting for toxic fumes.
Learn more about the studios
Past award recipients