Become one of 100 monthly donors helping improve livability for artists
Five years ago, 221A shifted our focus from exhibitions to long term infrastructure projects to:
- Increase long-term paid opportunities for artists and cultural workers
- Participate in collective solutions for systemic problems faced by artists and communities
- Provide low-income housing and below-market workspace
Next year 221A is opening 825 Pacific Street:
- A new seven-storey cultural space with an occupancy of 180.
- A 2,251 ft2 shared public event space, a research library.
- 3 new free workspaces and living wage stipends for equity-deserving artists enrolled in 221A’s Fellowship program.
- 23 new affordable long-term workspaces for artists and cultural NPOs.
Why is this needed?
- Cultural spaces are disappearing. Vancouver has lost over 400,000 ft2 of studio-space over the past decade.
- ⅓ of cultural spaces in Vancouver are in leases of one year or less, and most are month-to-month.
- On average, artists earn 24,300 annually, 44% less than the average worker. BIPOC artists make 72¢ and Indigenous artists make 68¢ for every $1 made by white artists.
- Due to the pandemic, 221A closed its public venue and library in Chinatown in 2020.
- On average, artists earn 24,300 annually, 44% less than the average worker. BIPOC artists make 72¢ and Indigenous artists make 68¢ for every $1 made by white artists.
Monthly donations make it possible for 221A to take on this challenge:
- We operate 9 buildings / 140,800 ft2 of artist housing and studios, non-profit and programming facilities
- A total of 217 units at at non-market rates artists, non-profit organizations, and small cultural businesses accessed by 1,267 users
- Our housing units, occupied exclusively by Black, Indigenous and racialized artists, are rented at 30% of their income. BIPOC artists earn an average income of $18,200; artists in this income range pay $455 monthly.
- Our 250 ft2 artist studio units are rented at $298–$650 monthly, 62% below commercial office market rates.
- $40,000/year goes towards emergency rental assistance for studio tenants and community empowerment, including consultations, resource sharing, and accessibility costs.
Donors who give or pledge over $1000 in a year will be invited to an exclusive tour of 825 Pacific Street in 2023. All donors over $20 will receive a tax receipt.
Cheques can be made out to 221A Artist Run Centre Society and mailed to 16-1265 Howe Street, Vancouver BC, V6Z 1R3, Canada.