Studio in the City

Studio in the City 18

Applications for the 2025 Studio in the City project are now closed. Check back in spring 2026 for applications to open again.

Studio in the City is an annual summer program that provides youth ages 15-18 with opportunities to apprentice in the arts on various canvases and landscapes throughout the City of North Vancouver.

Studio in the City is a youth employment program from the City that partners with supporters of the arts, including North Van Arts, Lonsdale Quay Market, Artists for Kids, and the Digital Media Academy. Studio in the City is a safe space, 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive program. If you're interested in learning more, contact us at studio@cnv.org.

SITC 17 | Circus in the City

In 2024, in partnership with the Vancouver Circus School, 7 youth performers, led by artist mentors Nancy Toro and Chloe Chua, activated City parks and public spaces through a variety of specialty acts to include juggling, hula hooping, miming and stilt walking. The youth were provided with additional opportunities to perform at The Shipyards and in other City spaces through the year.

SITC 16 | Music in the City II

In 2023, nine youth musicians busked around the City in public spaces, including the Shipyards, Civic Plaza, and Lonsdale Quay, experienced workshops from local acclaimed musicians, such as Tyler Bancroft from Said the Whale and Dawn Pemberton, and performed their final concert at The Shipyards on August 24th. Youth raised over $1,200 busking, and donated all proceeds to the North Shore Lookout Society.

SITC 15 | Music in the City

In 2022, eight talented youth showcased their musical skills over the summer while busking in public spaces, participating in music workshops, recording at the recording studio at City Library, and performing at the final concert at Civic Plaza on August 26th. The youth raised over $800 while busking, which they donated to the North Shore Women’s Centre.

SITC 14 | Street Art

In 2021 youth created mural art on the Pride Parklet (1400 block Lonsdale, east) designed in consultation with the North Shore Pride Alliance. They also created a mural titled “Nature Neighbours” on the Community Parklet (1500 block Lonsdale, east), using a design chosen by the public from three options. The youth also painted six amazing mural banners on display at Living Lane in lower Lonsdale.

SITC 13 | Open Streets

Our 2020 Studio in the City project is a colourful collection of 25 mini murals that celebrate themes of connection, hope, pride and resilience. Created by six youth artists along with artist mentors, the murals support our Open Streets initiative, adding vibrancy to our City centre by strengthening the connection between people and the places we share.

SITC 12 | The Village

The 2019 project honoured the rich history of one of the City’s oldest neighbourhoods, Queensbury Village. Young artists joined artist mentors Dolores Altin and Elvira Monteforte to create a community gathering space anchored by a large harvest table. Students explored landscape design, conservation and community, and included elements of play, seating, and shade, using a variety of natural elements from locally sourced fir and cedar trees.

SITC 11 | Laneway 45

Eight young artists and local artist Mark Ollinger came together in 2018 to pay homage to Lower Lonsdale's very own Veterans club. Through art, they bring to life symbolic images which are derived from this historic building and its people. The colours, imagery, and geometric shapes which compose the background, all hold great significance, and each have their own story to be told.

SITC 10 | Fun Alley

In 2017, Studio in the City 10 enlivened a public alley creating a fun, inviting and unique space. Guided by a local street artist, participants worked to design, promote, document, and animate a lower Lonsdale alley to make it a talked-about and instagrammable zone.