About

Our Mission

The Cellar is a community organization born from the need and want to develop accessible fitness and training spaces to people from diverse backgrounds. It hopes to create a space that counters the traditional macho dominated culture of gym use, and instead fosters a more radically gender diverse and intersectional mindset while strengthening social community ties. It is volunteer run, with a sliding scale membership model to keep accessibility at the forefront. The sliding scale model is under a ‘pay what you can’ mindset. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, but any amount of funds is welcome to keep the space sustainably running. Our goal is to remove as many barriers as possible for people to access knowledge. We hope to foster and create a space that is accessible, inclusive and safer for queers and marginalized folks. We are eager to create allyships and strong mutual aid support in this city, through networking and trust. We hope to create a space that nurtures strength and resiliency (mentally, physically and emotionally) and hope to maintain a collective learning from each other. We admit to not being perfect, but strive to keep the space trauma informed and open to criticisms.
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Our Vision

To be a space that is inclusive and supportive of people from all ages, backgrounds, races sexualities, genders, and abilities.
To be a space that promotes learning, creativity & skill-sharing through respect, collaboration & mutual support
To be a dry space for public events that operates from a harm-reduction philosophy
To be a space that does not tolerate violence, hatred, or oppressive behaviour.
To be a critical, political, and social justice focused space that provides access and resources to people and groups organizing against oppressions.
To be an anti-racist space that challenges white supremacy.
To be a space that is engaged in Indigenous Solidarity/self-determination.
To be a space that is queer-, trans-, two-spirited-, non-binary- and sex-positive, and challenges homophobia, transphobia, sexism and the patriarchy.
To be a space that is based upon the values of anti-capitalism, to not operate for profit and not view people’s labour or knowledge as commodities to exploit or profit from.
To be a space that challenges classism, and offers affordable/ pay-what-you-can resources and classes
To be a space that is not-for-profit, volunteer and collectively run in an accountable and transparent way

Code of Conduct

The Cellar is a dry venue (but not a “sober” space) that operates with a harm-reduction philosophy. This means if you need to use or drink before coming to the space you will not be turned away for being under the influence but you will still be held accountable for your actions. Please do not drink or do drugs inside the Cellar during events or on the sidewalk directly outside.
The Cellar does not tolerate violence, hatred, or oppressive behaviour. This includes but is not limited to sexualized violence or harassment, racism, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, ageism, and ableism. Violation of this code of conduct includes language, behaviour, content created or shared in the space (ex. posters, zines or art). If you witness any actions or communication to this effect, please inform a keyholder as soon as you can. Emails can be sent to thecellarvancouver@protonmail.com.

We acknowledge that the Cellar is situated on the stolen land of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and we are committed to supporting Indigenous sovereignty and the Land Back movement.