Creative Opportunities & Events
Down below are some creative opportunities happening in the city, as well as some art and creativity events.
Stand Up For Mental Health
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SMH is currently recruiting comics for their Stand Up For Mental Health class beginning on January 16, 2024. Founded by stand up comic and counselor David Granirer who himself suffers from bipolar, Stand Up For Mental Health is an award-winning program that teaches folks with mental health and addiction issues how to perform stand up comedy all about their mental health and addictions journeys.
Details:
Registration: To register please contact David Granirer for a short intake interview at david@smhcomedysociety.org or 778 883 9242. P.S. if you want to know more, here’s a great five minute piece that CBC the national did on the organization - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc3WMQQuDt8 |
Call for Indigenous Artists - Massy Arts Society
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Massy Arts Society is calling Indigenous visual/media artists to send exhibition proposals for our 2024/2025 programming (April 2024 – January 2025). They are looking for a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, installation, media, collage, and more. There is the opportunity to be a part of upcoming collective shows.
The program is offering a cost-free space in DTES Vancouver, along with support in promotion and communication. Successful applicants will receive a $500 honorarium for window shows and $2161 for the main gallery. Exhibition Dates:
Guidelines: Check out the website for details Deadline: January 31, 2024 Email: Rafael Zen at community@massyarts.com |
Library Stitch-Up: Creative Sustainability
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Do you have old t-shirts, sweatshirts, or sweatpants that you no longer wear? Turn them into reusable face wipes that can replace disposable cotton pads in your bathroom! We will take you through all the steps on how to make these entirely by hand.
Details:
Dates and Times:
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Mindful Art
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Mindful Art is an arts and craft group featuring origami, painting, and other crafts. It combines mindfulness with artistic creation, allowing individuals to create meaningful artwork while being fully present.
The practice has significant positive impacts on mental health, serving as a form of self-expression. It promotes relaxation and reduces stress, engaging in these activities enhances concentration and focus. Overall, Mindful Art is a therapeutic practice that promotes well-being and fosters a sense of calmness. Materials will be provided but feel free to bring your own craft project you’ve been working on. Details:
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Adventures in Short Film Writing: Drop-In Workshop
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Do you have an interest in film but don't know where to start?
Join the peer-led Zoom group on the fundamentals of short film writing. These workshops are drop-in, self-paced, and free to attend. Together the group will learn to develop a story, characters, learn structure and write a draft of a short film. Individuals from the mental health and/or substance use community are welcome! Dates and Times: Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:00 pm Location: Online via Zoom To register email Ana: upagainstamountain@gmail.com |
Free Artist Consultations - Outsiders and Others
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Join Outsiders and Others Artistic Director Yuri Arajs for an artist consultation in a safe and welcoming environment.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own portfolio or some artwork to share for a discussion about building a portfolio. Email Seema at seema.outsider@gmail.com to receive a registration form. Space is limited to 10 participants, so register soon! |
LEAP Playwriting Intensive Course
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LEAP—Learning Early About Playwriting—is a free and interactive program for young people in the B.C. Lower Mainland who are interested in playwriting. The LEAP program seeks young people interested in creative writing for the theatre who are passionate, engaged, and inquisitive storytellers.
Participants learn the basic principles of playwriting, share their work with classmates, and provide feedback to one another in a safe and supportive environment. Students also receive feedback from theatre professionals and have their plays workshopped and presented to the public in staged readings. Details:
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Social Stitching: Sew, Make, and Recycle
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Social Stitching is an open group for anyone interested in learning hand-stitching techniques and creating fibre arts. It is a collaborative program and individuals are encouraged to work together.
Details:
Note: current session runs September 13 - December 6, 2023 Location: Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, 7646 Prince Albert St., Vancouver |
Canadian Art Inspiration: Student Challenge
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The Canadian Art Inspiration: Student Challenge celebrates young artistic talent across the country. The Fall 2023-2024 submission is now open, until December 15, 2023.
Details:
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Twisted Poets Literary Salon
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When: 2nd Wednesday of every second month
Time: 6:00 - 9:30 pm Where: Britannia Library, 1661 Napier St., Vancouver Cost: Suggested donation at the door: $5 Features poets plus an open mic. Open Mic sign-up at 6:00 pm. Readings begin at 7:30 pm. Supported by the Writers Union of Canada and The League of Canadian Poets. Contact: blnish@pandorascollective.com |
The Flame Storytelling Series
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The Flame:
Storytelling Rules:
Sharing your Story:
Upcoming Vancouver Events include:
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The Art Studios |
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The Art Studios offers art-based programs for individuals living with mental health diagnoses. The Program is a part of the MDABC.
Programs include:
Location: 2073 Dundas Street, Vancouver Cost: Most programs are free, low costs associated with additional supplies Details:
Email: theartstudios@mdabc.net Phone: 604-558-3394 |
Contemporary Art Gallery
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The Contemporary Art Gallery is a non-profit gallery that is the longest standing independent public art gallery dedicated to presenting contemporary visual art in Vancouver. It champions art and ideas that invite us to transcend the familiar, reimagine the possible, and explore new ways of understanding ourselves, one another, and the worlds around us.
Details:
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 12:00-6:00 pm Where: 555 Nelson Street near Richards Email: Contact@CAGVancouver.org Phone: 604 681 2700 Note: The Contemporary Art Gallery is closed until May 26, 2023 for the current installation. |
First Saturday Open Studios
Farah Media, North Vancouver artist
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First Saturday Open Studios is a free monthly event that allows you to visit artists in their work spaces. Their goal is to build connections between artists and the public.
At this event, you can:
To see which artists are open in the month you'd like to visit, and to browse some of their art at their own websites, see below. Contact information: firstsaturdayopenstudio@gmail.com |
Atira Women's Resource Society - Enterprising Women Making Art (EWMA)
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EWMA Development Program:
Hours of operation:
Contact Information:
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Under 30? Aspiring filmmaker? Interested in telling LGBTQ2S stories?
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TROUBLEMAKERS 7.0 Film Program:
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Callanish - Creative Arts Circle
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Creative Arts Circle:
Date and Time: One Friday afternoon each month, from 1:30pm to 4:30pm Email: info@callanish.org Phone Number: 604-732-0689 |
Coast Mental Health - Art Room
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Purpose of Art Room:
Volunteer involvement:
Run by Coast Mental Health Email: info@coastmentalhealth.com Phone Number: 604-872-3502 Location: 293 East 11th Ave, Vancouver |
Creativebug - Vancouver Public Library
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Creativebug offers educational resources to learn artistic skills and start creative projects. It covers a variety of different topics, including jewelry making, painting, sewing, crocheting, etc. Perfect if you want to make a homemade gift, add some holiday cheer, or learn new skills.
Details:
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The Kettle Society - Enrichment Programs
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Enrichment Programs:
Kettle Art Show - Eastside Culture Crawl:
Eligibility :
Email: info@thekettle.ca Phone Number: 604-251-2801 Location: 1725 Venables St., Vancouver |
Mental Health Comedy Classes
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Stand Up For Mental Health Program:
To register contact David Granirer david@smhcomedysociety.org 778 883 9242 If you want to know more, here’s a five minute piece that CBC the national did about the classes. |
Borrow an Instrument from Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch
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Free Musical Instrument Lending Library:
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The Gathering Place Music Jam
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When: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon - 5pm
Where: The Gathering Place, 609 Helmcken Street, at Granville Cost: The art and music programs are open to everyone with a current membership card and recreation pass. Recreation passes cost:
Bring your instrument and come out to one of the casual jam sessions. A sound system and some instruments are available. Call for info - 6046652391 |
Inspiration Lab Drop-In: Video and Sound Recording
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The Inspiration Lab is Vancouver's free space dedicated to digital creativity, collaboration, and storytelling.
Video and Sound Recording equipment:
Where: Central Branch, Level 3, Vancouver Public Library 350 West Georgia St., Vancouver For info about registering for studio time, rental equipment, or more details, call the main library number at (604) 331-3603. |
Expressive Arts at Gallery Gachet
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Gallery Gachet is a unique artist-run centre located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Gachet is a collectively-run exhibition and studio space built to empower participants as artists, administrators and curators.
When: Mondays (except civic holidays) Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Where: Gallery Gachet; 9 West Hastings, Vancouver Cost: Free. Contact info: If you are interested in attending, please call 604-687-2468. Email: info@gachet.org Expressive Arts Group:
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Grind Writers Group, Vancouver - Main Street
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Note: As of April 2023, The Grind Writers Group meetings are on a brief hiatus. Please check the FaceBook page for updates.
The group is open to all levels, genres, outlooks, orientations, ages, etc. **Please email grindwriters@gmail.com and introduce yourself before you attend the first time – we sometimes have out-trips and meet at various places. Blog Grind Publications on Issuu |
Pottery at Gathering Place
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Classes: Thursdays 1:00-6:00 pm
The Gathering Place is at 601 Helmcken Street. Telephone: 604-665-2391. |
Knitting Circle
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This lively, friendly group of volunteers makes hats, scarves, socks, and sweaters for the homeless. All levels are welcome, wool and knitting needles are provided, but you may bring your own. All ages welcome.
INSTRUCTOR: volunteer run and operated DATES & TIME: Mondays, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm LOCATION: Sun Room (Kits House Seniors Resource Centre), 2425 Vine Street (corner of 8th & Vine) COST: FREE with Kits House membership ($10 once a year) Everyone is Welcome! All ages and knitting abilities. What type of yarn do we need?
For more information please contact 604-736-3588 ext. 602. |
Community Jam: Drop-In Improv
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The Improv Centre hosts a free community jam where you can improvise with professionally trained performers. Just walk up, drop in, and learn from the pros. It is an excellent opportunity to get involved in the improv community and dip your toe in the water.
Dates: Monthly, please confirm with the website Time: 3:30 - 5:30 pm Location: 1502 Duranleau St., Vancouver (Granville Island) Price: Free drop-in, no registration needed The Improv Centre also offers financial aid for individuals who are interested in improv, but are cannot afford to pay for a class. |
XA Expressive Artists - Drop-In Studio
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Community members are invited to drop-in and participate in an open studio environment with facilitators (Kat & Indigo), art materials, and snacks. The facilitation is supportive and there to expand artists' material and conceptual repertoire if desired, or simply there to provide a safe space to create artwork and social connections, on their own terms.
Materials available for participants include pastels, acrylic paint, brushes, felt pens, paper, collage materials, and canvases (depending on availability). Dates: Mondays, 2:00 - 4:00 pm Location: Gallery Gachet, 9 West Hastings St., Vancouver Cost: Free |
The Massey Helps Program
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The Massey offers a theatre use grant program of free access to the space four times per year. The intention of the program is to encourage and enhance the artistic community. Applications should focus on inclusivity and openness in the community.
Details:
Eligibility:
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