On Saturday 30 May 2026 at 2:00pm ArtsConnect presents a free public talk by Brian McBay, Executive Director of the Vancouver-based arts and cultural organization 221A, at Inlet United Church at the Springs in Port Moody. In Cities for Artists: A land trust for the arts? McBay will explore the origins of 221A and the creation of the Cultural Land Trust as a response to the growing loss of affordable cultural space in urban communities. Through examples from Vancouver and elsewhere, McBay will discuss how non-profits can collaborate to secure long-term cultural infrastructure.
Brian McBay (he/him) is a leader in arts infrastructure. He is a fourth-generation Chinese-Canadian living in Vancouver on the unsurrendered lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, or Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Over the last 20 years Brian has made a unique contribution to British Columbia’s cultural security by developing and advocating for community-controlled arts spaces. He is co-founder and Executive Director of 221A, a Vancouver-based non-profit organization that operates a growing network spanning over 140,000 square feet across nine properties, providing space for affordable artist housing and artist studios. Recently, he has been advancing the application of “Cultural Land Trusts” as a collective governance and financing solution for non-profit arts spaces facing closure or displacement due to escalating real estate costs. In addition to his role at 221A, Brian has served on various non-profit and public sector boards including the BC Arts Council and the National Gallery of Canada.
This talk is presented as part of ArtsConnect’s Public Walks, Public Spaces, Public Arts, Public Cities program. The 2026 program includes a series of related discussions on the place of the artist and the arts in creating socially, culturally and economically dynamic and resilient communities in the Tri-Cities lead by a diverse collection of people in all forms of art, architecture, urban planning. Forthcoming presentations included talks by Jai Djwa in Port Coquitlam on 9 June 2026 and Kamala Jasmine Todd in Coquitlam on 20 June 2026 in partnership with the Coquitlam Public Library.
ArtsConnect gratefully acknowledges the support of the City of Coquitlam‘s Spirit of Coquitlam Grant Program, the City of Port Coquitlam Community Cultural Development Investment Program, the City of Port Moody , The Village of Anmore, the Port Coquitlam Community Foundation, and the Coquitlam Public Library.