W2 Space

The Centre’s overall design has been developed with respect to the community’s priorities for the Woodward's redevelopment site as identified through the City of Vancouver’s community consultation processes. To that end, W2 has worked towards a design model that allows for maximum allocation of public service and programming space, and minimizes (private) organizational office space, both in overall square footage and intrusiveness into the public areas.

Performance Space/Venue
The performance centre will welcome users daily as a multipurpose production space and as an evening presentation space. Numerous arts festivals will be produced from the performance space and in the adjoining public plaza, including community arts and new media festivals.

W2 Creative Technology Incubator + Open Web Lab
This space will help develop, launch, support and mentor DTES residents who wish to pursue open source strategies to make media arts their livelihood, through providing access to equipment, space, mentoring and professional guidance.

Crossmedia Lab
The Crossmedia Lab will feature a true multi-platform environment tailored to multimedia production using cutting edge digital technology. The Crossmedia Lab will provide a platform for live performances in a controlled studio environment, as well as more traditional broadcasting environments using the control rooms.

Disability Arts Studio
We will represent and support cutting edge inclusive and interdisplinary arts practice for DTES residents living with disability. The studio will host a series of collaborative projects and programs produced by member organizations of W2 (Kickstart and the BC Regional Integrated Arts Network).

The Kootenay School of Writing (KSW)
The KSW space features a reading room to enable Vancouverites accessing 35 years of local literary heritage through books, magazines and a variety of limited edition literary publications. KSW public programs will involve 6–8 events (talks, readings, study groups) per month, in addition to regular public access hours.

Youth Media Lab
W2’s programs will help young people develop their artistic talents and provide them with opportunities to acquire advanced training in new media while helping them develop life skills to successfully collaborate and creatively express themselves.

Multi-purpose Community Rooms
These spaces will offer family–oriented events, space for community meetings, and supportive programs for DTES and Vancouver residents.

TV Studio
The W2 television cluster will operate the television studio, offering a range of local television broadcast services to create community programming and training opportunities for local residents.

Interactive Media Installation
Showcasing new media production from W2 Centre tenants and users, as well as curated exhibitions featuring local, national and international artists working in crossmedia and new media.

W2 Social Enterprises
A number of social enterprise initiatives have been identified as viable for W2, specifically a ground-floor café, a digital equipment coop/exchange, a digital printing centre, a letterpress studio, and the W2 Performance space.