Red Gate Arts Society

Red Gate Arts Society
Founded1984; 42 years ago (1984)
Founder
  • Jim Carrico
  • Anarose Carrico
TypeNonprofit organization, music venue
Headquarters1965 Main Street
LocationVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Coordinates49°16′04″N 123°06′04″W / 49.2677079°N 123.1010370°W / 49.2677079; -123.1010370
Websitehttps://redgate.tv

Red Gate Arts Society is a non-profit based in Vancouver, British Columbia, that provides working space and performance venues to artists and musicians.

History

Red Gate was founded in 1984 by Jim Carrico. Since then it has operated a number of spaces, often being forced to move due to rising rent and permitting issues. The New Pornographers recorded at the Red Gate Arts Society recording studio on West Hastings Street for over seven years. Other musical groups such as Destroyer and the Rodney Graham band also used the studio.

In 2011, the City of Vancouver ordered Red Gate to vacate its venue on West Hastings Street after a building inspection. In 2012, Red Gate began operating as a non-profit. From 2013 to 2018, the organization was based at 885 E Hastings, until it was forced to leave due to the property being redeveloped. Red Gate has also hosted several iterations of Alley Fest, an annual one-day music festival showcasing artists who regularly use the space.

In January 2020, Red Gate once again faced eviction due to a significant increase in property taxes. The next month, the City of Vancouver provided a one-time grant of $27,000 to support the organization's operations. In 2025, the organization received additional arts funding from the city. As of 2026, Red Gate is based at 1965 Main Street, where it operates a performance space, artist studios, a tattoo shop, a screen printing shop, and a gallery.

References

  1. ↑ Boyle, Christina (March 2, 2018). "Christine Boyle: We can't let Vancouver lose its soul". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  2. ↑ Lee-Ash, Jonah (May 1, 2026). "Survival of the loudest: How a vital venue beat the odds". The Tyee. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  3. ↑ Gabert-Doyon, Josh; Carrico, Jim (February 28, 2022). "Interview with Jim Carrico, founder of the Red Gate Arts Society". UBC Library. doi:10.14288/1.0422222.
  4. ↑ Bula, Frances (October 4, 2011). "Vancouver artists getting the boot in city's aggressive real-estate market". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on February 12, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Werb, Jessica (June 3, 2011). "Red Gate arts centre in the DTES given 30-day order to leave premises". The Georgia Straight.
  6. 1 2 Smith, Janet (February 28, 2020). "City gives Red Gate Arts Society new critical grant to help cover escalating taxes". The Georgia Straight.
  7. ↑ Kurucz, John (February 21, 2018). "Red Gate Arts Society latest arts space to close". Vancouver Is Awesome. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  8. ↑ Christopher, Nathaniel (June 1, 2016). "Rent increases squeezing Red Gate Arts Society in East Van". Xtra Magazine.
  9. ↑ Wilson, Kate (August 22, 2017). "Red Gate's Alley Fest aims to prevent the gentrification of Vancouver's art scene". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  10. ↑ Adams, Gregory (July 20, 2016). "Red Gate's Alleyfest inspires love for local arts scene". Vancouver Is Awesome. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  11. ↑ Slingerland, Calum (January 12, 2020). "Vancouver's Red Gate Arts Society is facing eviction". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on August 7, 2025. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Massing, Elena (November 3, 2025). "Vancouver's arts and culture industry can run on duct tape and dreams — but it shouldn't have to". The Ubyssey.
  13. ↑ "2020 Critical One-time Cultural Grant for Red Gate Arts Society" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 11, 2020.
  14. ↑ Derdeyn, Stuart (April 24, 2025). "Vancouver hubs create vibrant arts and cultural community — but can they survive?". Vancouver Sun.