Support What Lab
Over the past seven years, What Lab has grown into a pillar of the Vancouver experimental performing arts community. Last fiscal we paid over $30,000 to artists, premiered 12 new works, and gave over 700 hours(!!) of free studio space to artists in support of their work. Not to mention being a home to 80 external renters last year. This is all amazing stuff, and a ton of work, achieved through many hours of volunteer labor. What Lab currently has no operational funding, which means we rely on project grants for our programming. So, while we’re able (and eager) to distribute our resources to artists, we can allocate very little of this to our day-to-day costs like rent, staff, and maintenance fees. Which are all necessary to keep the lights on and our programs running.
We are working hard to keep our doors open, to welcome old friends and new collaborators alike into our studio. However, in order to get through our current fiscal challenges, we are asking for a little help. We’ve set a fundraising goal of $15,000. Any amount contributed toward this goal will help us pay off a previous fiscal budget deficit, assist covering our rent fees, and inch towards a livable wage for our regular staff.
We call What Lab a safer space to risk failure. But what does this even mean? It means we give artists space to pivot or abandon ideas, to start fresh when needed, to generate from a place of unknowing. The real secret is no work is a failure, as long as an artist feels empowered to work honestly, authentically, gently.
If you have ever benefitted from having What Lab in Vancouver; if you’ve seen a show, premiered a new work, run a class or joined a workshop; if you’ve danced, sang, gathered in community, had a wild night or a quiet morning; if you’ve laid on our blue floor, staring up at the ceiling, contemplating your creative world, then please donate today.
Presented as part of 10.2.10 in 2022.
The overwhelming love and support for What Lab over the past seven years has kept us committed to being this place for artists to take risks. Deep, deep gratitude for your kind words and generous hearts. Please send any questions about our fundraiser to studio@whatlab.ca.
Click the link below to make your donation to us via Zeffy – select a button or type in your own specific amount. Please note donations are not tax-receiptable.