What We Do
No auditions, no prerequisites, no wrong answers. Lantern Arts runs six core programs in Edmonton — all free or low-barrier, all designed for people who have been pushed away from the arts.
Drop-In
The heart of everything we do. Walk in, find a table, pick up a brush. Our Open Studio is free, fully supplied, and open every day of the week. Painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, mixed media — no appointment, no skill level required.
Mentorship
Young artists aged 14–24 are paired with established Edmonton artists for a 16-week one-on-one mentorship. The program covers creative practice, portfolio development, and arts career pathways. Each cohort culminates in a public exhibition.
Cultural Programming
A year-round gathering program where Indigenous elders lead sessions in traditional art forms — beading, quillwork, hide painting, weaving, and storytelling through visual arts. These sessions are open to the community and are offered as both drop-in and registered series formats.
Public Art
Since 2016, Lantern Arts has co-created 45 large-format murals across Edmonton with and by community members. Each mural begins with neighbourhood consultations and is designed collaboratively. Participating community artists receive a fair-wage stipend for their time.
Literary Arts
Stories are art too. Our Writing & Storytelling program offers weekly facilitated writing workshops where participants explore memoir, poetry, fiction, and oral history. Sessions are trauma-informed and led by established Edmonton writers. The program produces a community-written anthology each year, printed and distributed for free.
Digital Arts
From point-and-shoot to documentary film, our Film & Photography program gives participants access to cameras, lighting equipment, and editing software — and the skills to use them. We offer a 10-week beginner photography series, an ongoing filmmaking cohort, and access to our digital darkroom year-round. Past participants have screened work at the Edmonton International Film Festival and the Art Gallery of Alberta.
Our Approach
Every Lantern program is built on the belief that creativity is not a talent you're born with — it's something that emerges when people feel safe, supported, and genuinely welcome. Our facilitators are guides, not gatekeepers.
We also believe that the arts are a right, not a luxury. So we work hard to eliminate every barrier we can — cost, geography, language, ability, credentials. If you want to make art, we want to make that possible.
Get in TouchWe don't care if you haven't picked up a pencil since grade school. Every program is built for beginners and welcomes experienced artists equally.
All teaching artists, mentors, and community artists who participate in our programs are compensated fairly. We live by what we preach.
Many of our participants carry experiences of trauma, houselessness, or systemic harm. All facilitators are trained in trauma-informed approaches to creative facilitation.
Programs are shaped by the communities they serve — not designed for them. We conduct annual community input sessions and adjust our offerings accordingly.
Ready to Join?
No appointment, no registration needed for Open Studio. Just walk in at 9212 109 Ave NW, any day of the week. Or drop us a line if you have questions about other programs.