Atira Women’s Art Society
EWMA was launched in 2003 as a development initiative of Atira Women’s Resource Society and is a program now housed under Atira Women’s Art Society. It has focused on supporting women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to work together to develop alternative forms of business or employment that is grounded in their needs and realities.
The program is a self-employment initiative for fem-identified individuals impacted by violence who face significant barriers to traditional employment and who seek safe, income-generating opportunities free from exploitation, abuse or other vulnerabilities.
Blending art, community and social entrepreneurship, EWMA works with emerging fem-identified artists in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to participate in a democratic and equitable social enterprise that coordinates the pooling of resources to produce and market women’s visual art and handmade products, as well as focuses on building women’s capacities and knowledge, and increasing their access to lucrative markets and sales.
This project strengthens and fosters women’s full and equal participation in the community and economy. EWMA is a community-based initiative that works with and celebrates the talents of its participants, contributes to their community, and supports their personal and economic empowerment.
