CO*LAB Core Values 

Community {Arts} Laboratory (CO*LAB) is a grassroots, arts-centred community venue with a focus on cultivating and sustaining exposure to the arts for those living within Edmonton’s central communities, including Boyle Street, McCauley, Central McDougall, Cromdale, Chinatown, and Queen Mary Park.

MISSION STATEMENT 

  • We acknowledge those who’ve come before us and will work to ensure that this neighbourhood remains welcoming to all who are and have been here. 

  • We work to honour and respect the neighbourhood’s local legacy through community-responsive arts and cultural programming.

Here are some things you can expect from us and this space: 

  • Our interactions are rooted in kindness and care.

  • Our communication is clear, consistent and respectful

  • We commit to having a safe environment for all and responding to community needs as they arise within our capacity.

  • We look forward to connecting and growing with you. If you have questions or concerns, please speak with a staff member on-site or email us at info@colabyeg.ca


CORE VALUES 

Create 

  • Art is a Human Right; Taking up space is a radical act

  • CO*LAB aims to uplift community arts to a professional status

  • We provide space for emerging artists and subvert who gets to be an artist

Advocate

  • We Advocate for the area. We value safety for all, with a harm reduction lens.

  • CO*LAB centers those who are systemically shut out. 

  • We value accessibility (physical, mental, social, etc.) We believe in including community members and uplifting the voices of everyday people

Celebrate

  • CO*LAB exists to activate the neighbourhood and celebrate those who call this area home

  • We provide Intentional, thoughtful programming. We relate at a human-to-human level; with dignity for all

Innovate

  • We value innovation in our practices and programming. We use technology to further access to and creation of community arts and culture.

  • We strive to decolonize our practices, meaning through our programming, we actively work to deconstruct harmful, exploitative and exclusionary patterns in the arts and community-helping sectors

Collaborate

  • CO*LAB is an Interdisciplinary space

  • We are about more than simply art and music

  • We are about connecting communities, fostering opportunities, knowledge creation and skills-sharing


Have programming ideas or want to perform? Contact us at info@colabyeg.ca. We want to hear from you!

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

A QAS Membership grants you first-access to CO*LAB programs and events, Annual General Meeting voting rights, discount rental rates, and more! Memberships are renewed annually with a suggested gift of $20 (all Memberships are pay-what-you-will, no one will be turned away for financial reasons).