Happy Spring to all—we have important updates to share about UNIT/PITT in it’s 50th year!
We are happy to announce that UNIT/PITT will be engaging in Phase 1 renovations of our space from May-September 2025 to implement essential upgrades to our facility. Renovations are made possible thanks to the support of the BC Arts Council’s Arts Infrastructure Grant, our landlords, individual donations, and a pending City of Vancouver (CoV) Capital Infrastructure Grant. We are additionally grateful for the support of CoV’s Cultural Spaces Small Grant, awarded to UNIT/PITT in 2024 for research and development of our renovation plans; and to CoV’s Critical Assistance Capital Grant, which helped us to conduct urgent repairs in our space earlier this year.
UNIT/PITT took on our lease at 2954 West 4th Ave in September 2023 after three years of remote operations. This move brought artist-run culture to Kitsilano—a neighbourhood historically connected to Vancouver’s art and activism communities, but which currently lacks in visual arts venues. Our space features a 380 square foot storefront gallery, bookstore and kitchen, and an 1800 square foot garden, a unique asset that provides artists opportunity for direct engagement with important contemporary topics of land use, decolonial practices, food security, climate change, and ecological interventions.
In only a year and a half since our move, our facility has become an important asset to the community. To keep our charming, 100+ year old timber-frame building functional, upgrades and refurbishments are required. Phase 1 renovations include essential upgrades to bring the space closer to contemporary accessibility standards, improving environmental safety conditions, and ensuring emergency fire safety and way-finding measures are in place. We also aim to make improvements to our presentation infrastructure and workplace comfort measures for staff and visitors.
Phase 2 renovations are planned for 2026-27, which will include more comprehensive accessibility upgrades to both our interior and outdoor presentation spaces. Thank you to contractor Stuart Sproule (Sproule Bros.), and architect Magali Bailey for their professional guidance and oversight of this project.
Please note that exhibitions programming will be paused during renovations, and public programming slowed down. We will continue to partner on selected community projects in the coming months—including our DOXA Community Partnerships, listed below—and a few special garden events throughout the summer as our construction schedule permits. We look forward to welcoming the community back to the space in September 2025 with a show curated by Parker Kay of Pumice Raft (Toronto), and our 50th anniversary exhibition and publication, set to launch in November 2025!
Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to get involved through volunteering during this time.
