What happens when artists are routinely, systematically forced out of their communities by unaffordable artist spaces and evictions? That’s the urgent not-so-hypothetical question that will be addressed at a new art exhibit organized by the Eastside Culture Crawl Society this November. It’s called “Displaced”.

Submissions are now open to artists who have been or are currently being evicted, or those who have found ways to be resilient after being displaced. Although the exhibition will feature artists who share these similar experiences, the theme of the actual artwork is left completely up to the participants. The overall mission of the show is to highlight the wealth of local talent that Vancouver is continuously losing through this development epidemic and to inspire action. Basically, “Displaced” will indirectly address the dire consequences of an artless (aka soulless) community by delivering a direct blow to the eyeballs of its viewers.

Here’s a bit more about their motivation and intention, from the ECCS:

“The contribution of arts and culture is integral to the identity of our city and the threat to viable artist space is a threat to the very core of a healthy vibrant community. More needs to be done to raise awareness, to provide assistance, and to advocate for preserving the spaces essential for artists to carry out their work. It is more important now than ever to share artists’ stories of survival and ways of coping with displacement. Our urban landscape is rapidly changing and we must take action. This exhibition hopes to demonstrate the need for stronger support by civic and provincial governments to protect and encourage the development of affordable, safe and sustainable artist production spaces.”

The multi-venue salon style exhibition will kick off at the Arts Factory on November 2nd, followed by openings at three other venues – The Cultch, Firehall Arts Centre, and Alternative Creations Studio – on November 6th. The application deadline for interested artists is set for August 23rd. Find out more here.