What We Do

Six Programs. One
Open Door.

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.

From Drop-In to Deep Commitment — There's a Place for You

Artist at an easel in the Lantern Arts open studio, surrounded by painting supplies and finished canvases

Drop-In

Open Studio

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.

Schedule
Mon–Fri 10am–7pm
Sat–Sun 10am–4pm
Eligibility
All ages · All skill levels
Cost
Always free
Location
9212 109 Ave NW, Edmonton
Free All Ages Drop-In Welcome
Young artist working one-on-one with a mentor in a studio setting

Mentorship

Youth Arts 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.

Schedule
16 weeks · Two cohorts/year
Jan–Apr & Sep–Dec
Eligibility
Ages 14–24 · Priority for BIPOC, newcomer & low-income youth
Cost
Free · Materials included
How to Register
Online application · Rolling intake
Free Ages 14–24
Elder artist sharing traditional beading techniques with a small group in a warm studio space

Cultural Programming

Elder Circle

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.

Schedule
Wed afternoons 1–4pm
Rotating topic sessions
Eligibility
All community members welcome · Elders honoured with stipend
Cost
Free · Donation welcome
How to Register
Drop-in or email hello@lanternarts.ca
Free Indigenous-Led All Ages
Community artists and volunteers painting a large outdoor mural on a building in Edmonton's McCauley neighbourhood

Public Art

Community Mural Project

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.

Schedule
Spring–Fall outdoor season
3–6 murals per year
Eligibility
Open call for community artists · Neighbourhood residents prioritized
Compensation
Paid · Edmonton artist rate
How to Get Involved
Watch for open calls in Feb & Aug
Paid Artists All Ages Welcome
Participant photographing street art with a DSLR camera during a Lantern Arts photography workshop

Digital Arts

Film & Photography

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.

Schedule
Photography series: 10-week cohorts
Filmmaking: ongoing · Digital darkroom: drop-in
Eligibility
Ages 16+ · No prior experience required
Cost
Free · All equipment provided
How to Register
Online application · Cohort intake every 10 weeks
Free Equipment Provided

Our Approach

We Don't Teach Art.
We Make Space for It.

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 Touch

No Prerequisites

We 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.

Artists Are Paid

All teaching artists, mentors, and community artists who participate in our programs are compensated fairly. We live by what we preach.

Trauma-Informed Practice

Many of our participants carry experiences of trauma, houselessness, or systemic harm. All facilitators are trained in trauma-informed approaches to creative facilitation.

Community Ownership

Programs are shaped by the communities they serve — not designed for them. We conduct annual community input sessions and adjust our offerings accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring anything to Open Studio?
Nothing at all. We supply all paints, papers, canvases, inks, and tools. Just show up. If you have your own supplies you love, feel free to bring them too.
Are programs really free? What's the catch?
Yes, genuinely free. Lantern Arts is funded by grants from the Edmonton Arts Council, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and community donors. We never charge participants, and we never will. If you're able to donate to help others access the programs, we'd be grateful — but it's never expected.
What if I don't speak English well?
You are welcome. Art doesn't require fluency in any language. Several of our regular participants and facilitators are multilingual, and we have translated materials available in Cree, French, Arabic, and Tagalog. Contact us if you need support in another language.
Is the studio accessible for people with disabilities?
Our studio is fully wheelchair accessible with a ramped entrance, accessible washrooms, and adjustable work surfaces. We also offer adapted tools for participants with limited hand mobility. If you have specific accessibility needs, please email us ahead of your first visit and we'll make sure you're set up well.
Can I bring my kids?
Yes! Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, but Open Studio and Elder Circle sessions are genuinely all-ages. We love seeing families make art together. Please note that Writing & Storytelling and Film & Photography are 16+ due to content sometimes explored in those programs.
How do I apply for the Youth Mentorship program?
Applications open in November (for the January cohort) and June (for the September cohort). The application is short — we ask for a brief statement about yourself and why you want to participate, plus up to three images of any creative work (doesn't have to be visual art). Email hello@lanternarts.ca to get on the notification list.

Ready to Join?

The Studio Doors
Are Open Right Now.

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.

Contact Us See Upcoming Events