Vancouver’s creative resistance: how the city is fighting artistic displacement

The Purpose
‘Making Space for Arts and Culture’ is a visionary initiative instigated by the city of Vancouver with the ambitious goal of securing 650,000 square feet of new arts and cultural spaces over the next decade. This initiative addresses the pressing issue of the arts and culture sector facing alarming rates of displacement. By establishing a 10-year target for acquiring additional cultural space, Vancouver aims to safeguard the vibrancy and diversity of its artistic and cultural communities. The primary purpose is to create more dedicated, accessible and sustainable spaces that support the artistic expression, creativity and cultural vibrancy of the city.

The Challenge
Vancouver acknowledges the critical challenge confronting its arts and culture sector – an accelerating rate of displacement. This challenge stems from multiple factors including urban development, rising property costs and gentrification trends. The arts and culture sector, renowned for its contributions to Vancouver’s cultural identity and community cohesion, is finding itself at risk of being pushed out due to these dynamics. This threat to the very heart of the city’s cultural identity is what ‘Making Space for Arts and Culture’ seeks to confront head-on.

To date, more than 70% of the 10-year target for new cultural spaces has been successfully secured through the rezoning of various areas within the city

The Solution
Addressing the challenge of displacement faced by the arts and culture sector required a comprehensive and multi-faceted solution. The city of Vancouver collaborated closely with its planning department to implement strategies that prioritize cultural infrastructure within community benefit agreements and rezoning processes. This collaborative effort between different municipal departments marks a groundbreaking approach to the challenge. By factoring in the needs of the arts and culture sector in urban planning, Vancouver aims to provide a sustainable, long-term solution that safeguards the sector’s vitality and presence within the city. In doing so, the city seeks to redefine how cultural spaces are integrated into the evolving urban landscape.

The Impact
‘Making Space for Arts and Culture’ has already yielded significant results, underlining its tangible impact. To date, more than 70% of the 10-year target for new cultural spaces has been successfully secured through the rezoning of various areas within the city. Moreover, 23 projects have been earmarked for development, representing a strong commitment to nurturing the arts and culture sector. Two projects have already been completed, providing practical, real-world examples of how Vancouver is mitigating the displacement issue. These tangible outcomes demonstrate the city’s dedication to strengthening its cultural fabric and ensuring that arts and culture remain integral to the city’s identity and future.

Source: World Cities Culture Report 2022

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