VANCOUVER—The affordability crisis in Vancouver is forcing artists to find unconventional ways to secure venue and studio space — the Rio Theatre has dug its heels in and is trying to buy the property it sits on, while small non-profits are making do by renting buildings slated for demolition.

The Rio Theatre was facing eviction, but has managed to pull together enough cash to apply for a mortgage so that the venue can stay put.

Corinne Lea, owner of the Rio Theatre, said she and a group of investors have applied for a mortgage with Van City Credit Union to purchase the theatre building on East Broadway, and expect to hear back by the end of the week.

“Now it’s just a waiting game, fingers crossed that they will approve it. Once we know that, it’s going to be a game changer,” she said.

In a drawn-out community supported effort, Lea raised more than $500,000 through a crowdfunding campaign, so that an arts non-profit can purchase the building from the current owners and rent it to Lea’s business indefinitely.

Lea supplemented the crowdfunding cash with money from private investors and has until May 7 to close the deal.

The Rio is one of four remaining independent theatres and provides performance space to emerging musicians, filmmakers, and performers.

While the Rio works to buy its space and stay put, others are embracing the extreme rental market conditions and taking advantage of the short-term rentals available on the market.

“We survive on short term rentals, moving from space to space,” said Matt Troy, artistic director of Vancouver Art and Leisure. “There are so many properties in flux in Vancouver that are not being used,” Troy said.

VAL’s latest lease is month-to-month and the society is likely to get kicked out by December 2019.

Troy said he’s seeing property owners offer up short-term leases while they get things in order to redevelop the land.

“I’ve found leveraging the instability and chaos in Vancouver can be helpful,” Troy said.

At 5,800 square feet, the warehouse has been dubbed The Lab because it provides space for artists to get messy and test out new ideas.

A key to VAL’s success, said Troy, is the city’s licensing program for arts events. The program, which was approved in 2015 allows people to host “pop-up performances in unconventional spaces” such as studios, warehouses, factories and shops.

Despite Troy’s optimism, he said he would prefer a long-term lease.

“I would rather the city cultural services be working 24-7 to find spaces like Red Gate and VAL a 10-year lease,” he said.

As VAL opens its doors, the Red Gate Arts Society, a grassroots non-profit, is readying to close up shop at its East Hastings Street location.

The artist-run group is being “renovicted” at the end of May. Its space, owned by Lululemon founder Chip Wilson’s development company, Low Tide Properties, will be redeveloped into storefronts.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Board member Victoria Brindise said the organization has found space it’s interested in, but it’s not available until September and it will cost twice as much as its current space.

Unlike VAL, Red Gate isn’t as optimistic about popping around from location to location. It’s already had to relocate several times in the past few years, and tells StarMetro that without a long-term lease it’s hard to secure grants to improve the spaces.

The City of Vancouver did not provide someone for an interview, but in a statement, said it is working on updates to its arts and culture plans, and will present them to council in July.

Tessa Vikander is a Vancouver-based reporter covering identity and inequality. Follow her on Twitter: @tessavikander

Read more about: