221A is supporting the research, planning and startup of an independent Cultural Land Trust (CLT).
The CLT is a model that provides a collective response to escalating real estate prices that have placed severe pressure on security of tenure for artists and arts organizations.
Benefits of a Cultural Land Trust
- Decommodify Land – Freehold ownership and community governance mitigates speculative real estate market.
- Leverage Investment – Accountable investment vehicle combines philanthropy with grants and municipal rezonings.
- Reconciliation & Equity – Meaningful BIPOC and equity-deserving participation in governance and trust assets.
- Regulation & Capacity – Sharing collective solution as model across Canada; providing government regulatory feedback.
In December 2022, 221A concluded the Business Planning phase of the CLT. The Business Plan further refined the Early Model developed within the Idea Validation Study towards the establishment of an independent Vancouver Cultural Land Trust.
Vision, Mission, Governance, and Seed Funding
- Success Vision: By 2050, the Cultural Land Trust will have secured 30 properties in British Columbia.
- Mission: To increase long term security of tenure of space for cultural and arts purposes in BC through ownership and stewardship of land and buildings.
- Governance: Independent Charitable Org; 11-person governance with representation from Cultural Organization Tenants
- Seed Funding: $15M funds + 2 transfer of freehold assets with a 10-Year Projection of $80–$120M CAD Investment.
Inspiration from Other Cities
- Creative Land Trust, London (UK)
- Austin Creative Trust, Austin, Texas
- Urban Land Conservancy, Denver, Colorado
- Workshops and Artist Studio Provision, Scotland
- ACME, London (UK)
- Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST), San Francisco, Northern California Community Loan Fund & Kenneth Rainin Foundation, San Francisco & Oakland
- Cultural Space Agency, Seattle, Washington
Timeline
- November 2018 – Community-led Research trip to City of San Francisco and Oakland (with BC Artscape, VIVO Media Arts and City of Vancouver Cultural Spaces staff).
- March 2019 – First Advisory Group Meeting
- November 2019 - Idea validation
- 2019 - Incorporated into City of Vancouver Policy
- December 2022 - Business case
- December 2022 - Incorporation
- Fall 2023 - Governance & Seed funding
- Spring 2024 - Startup
- Summer 2024 - Acquisition & Development
Downloadable Reports
Copies of the Cultural Land Trust Idea Validation Report and Cultural Land Trust Business Case are being made available to artists, non-profit art organizations and funding bodies. Please contact 221A directly to obtain PDF copies at hello@221a.ca.
Contact
For more information regarding the Cultural Land Trust research or planning please contact us at hello@221a.ca.
Project Support
