We're dedicated to creating spaces to develop, create, rehearse, meet, film and present.

  • Progress Lab 1422

    In 2009, a dream between four kindred theatre organizations was realized when Boca Del Lupo, Electric Company, Neworld and Rumble opened Progress Lab 1422, a 7,000 ft2 centre for creation and development in East Vancouver. With a deeply-felt spirit of collaboration, community and resource-sharing, an innovative and co-operative joint venture was forged.

    Now, in 2020, PL1422 remains home to three of the founding companies (Electric Company, Neworld, Rumble) while welcoming Company 605, Playwrights Theatre Centre, rice & beans theatre, Tara Cheyenne Performance and Theatre Conspiracy into the fold. PL1422 continues to be a vital presence in our community, providing exceptional, readily available and affordable creative space to the theatre industry and the wider arts sector.

    Rent PL1422: Studio + Rumpus Room.

  • C-Space

    Vancouver Creative Space Society was founded in 2012 to manage PL1422 and other possible future cultural property development projects.

  • SpaceFinder BC

    With The Post at 750, PTC, GVPTA and Alliance for Arts & Culture, in fall 2016 we launched SpaceFinder BC. Think airbnb for rehearsal and performance venues.

  • Purpose

    PL1422 provides exceptional, readily-available and affordable creative space to the theatre industry and the wider arts sector. It also serves as a full-time base for the four resident organizations. A long-term, dedicated home is an important facet of increasing our organizations' stability and longevity. PL1422 boosts our collective capacity and its achievement directly benefits the wider community through programming partnerships and affordable rentals.

  • Model

    PL1422 is receiving local, national and international attention for its unique model and we wager that more cultural spaces could emerge from our continued success. Each resident company and their staff bring their individual talents to developing and managing the space, from construction design and fundraising, to agreements and policy. All of our planning documents are shared freely, and while our focus remains on developing our capacity to manage the property, we also aspire to see a set of other 'Progress Labs' spring up in BC – however this might happen.

  • Property

    PL1422 was previously a garment factory, vacated during the economic downturn in 2008. After taking possession, a $500,000 renovation was completed through a variety of contributed, public and earned revenues. The space is currently leased from generous and stable family ownership under a 5+5 year term; these owners also maintain several adjacent properties.

  • Name

    Our name is a nod to BC's Progress Lab, an informal network of independent theatre companies (that includes our four resident organizations), whose energy helped launch the initiative. Another influence was the PS122 performance space in New York City, built out of an abandoned public school.

  • Funders, Donors, Sponsors

    Public Funders: City of Vancouver, Canadian Heritage, Province of BC

    Private Funders: Vancity Community Foundation, Vancouver Foundation

    Donors: two anonymous

    Major In-Kind Sponsors + Contributors: Collins Electric, Joel Schellenberg Contracting, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

  • Website by Mutable Subject