Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art becomes a Living Wage Employer.

Centre A joins several other art galleries, including 110 Arts Cooperative, Access Gallery and 221A Artist Run Centre Society in helping to address working poverty in Vancouver.

“Artistic work is work, and the workers must be fairly compensated for their work. We are pleased to join the group of organizations from across BC to amplify that commitment." Henry Heng Lu, Centre A

The living wage is the hourly amount a family needs to cover basic expenses. The calculation is based on a two-parent family with two children – the most common family unit in BC – with each parent working full-time. The Living Wage for Metro-Vancouver is $19.50 an hour.

“We’re delighted that Centre A has certified as a Living Wage Employer. It will help give visibility to such an important issue and will highlight the campaign with others in the arts sector. Paying a Living Wage is good for the employer, the employee and the local community. We invite other art galleries to join the Living Wage movement,” said Anastasia French, Living Wage for Families Campaign Organizer.

Certifying as a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment employers make to invest in their communities and local economies.

There are nearly 250 Living Wage Employers in BC, with over 25,000 employees who don’t need to worry about how they will afford rent, food and other essentials for their family because they are guaranteed to earn a Living Wage.