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Artists Quarters

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Artist Quarters Project Halted

Since 2011 Arts Habitat, in partnership with Artists Urban Village, led the development of the Artists Quarters Project located in The Quarters in downtown Edmonton. In response to the City of Edmonton Expression of Interest (EOI) for the land at the corner of 102a Ave and 96 Street the development of this project, which has been significantly sustained by the City of Edmonton and Arts Habitat, has not made it to the building phase. Despite the concerted efforts and encouragement of many, the success of this project was reliant upon the matching support of Provincial and Federal governments to realize this affordable, appropriate, and sustainable artist live/work project.

We understand that not all developments make it to the building stage, and we take consolation knowing the expertise gained through the design process of Artists Quarters will educate future developments.

We are continually sourcing new opportunities to meet the space needs of our Edmonton arts organizations and artists. It is our vision that dynamic, sustainable, and entrepreneurial artistic communities can thrive in the City and Arts Habitat, a non-profit enterprise will continue to lead in advocating for, building, and managing, appropriate, and accessible spaces for the arts in Edmonton and area.

If you are an individual artist, please take the time to fill out the Space Registry form to keep us apprised of the continued need for arts space in Edmonton. We would also encourage you to sign up for our newsletter or watch our website to stay informed of our current projects in development and future opportunities.

The Vision That was Artist Quarters

Artists Quarters was a 2011 response to the increasingly critical need in Edmonton’s arts and cultural community for accessible and sustainable workspace and the identified need for affordable housing options for low-income professional artists. It was to be built on the site of the Koermann Block in the eastside of downtown Edmonton – The Quarters District – in a community that is rich in culture and artistic history.

Combining a 13-story, 65-unit residential tower with a 33,000 sq. ft. Podium, supporting arts space for Rapid Fire Theatre, Alberta Craft Council, Mile Zero Dance, and individual studios, this unique facility would have offered professional artists and arts organizations the ability for entrepreneurial collaboration in their practice. This opportunity was to provide a live/work space that would help reduce the costs for the artist and to be a community of artists and arts organizations living and working cohesively in an urban arts village.

Arts Habitat is thankful for the funding that was provided to carry out the feasibility stage, business case study, and the design phase of Artist Quarters. We would like to express our gratitude to Artists Urban Village, Kasian Architecture and Williams Engineering, Chandos Construction and The Communitas Group.

The Artists Quarters was designed to be:

  • Arts-focused
  • Multi-generational
  • Community-based
  • Innovative residential and studio configurations
  • Environmentally and economically sustainable

Artist Quarters in the News

Six Projects That are Reshaping Downtown Edmonton – The Globe and Mail 02/2018
How One Area is Revitalizing and Keeping its Heart – Business in Edmonton 07/2018
Artists Quarters up for debate at Edmonton city council Monday – Global News 09/2016