Founded in 1979 The Centre for Art Tapes is a not for profit artist-run, charitable, organization that facilitates and supports artists at all levels working with electronic media including video, audio, and new media.

We offer facilities and equipment rentals to the community at the lowest possible rate. We also host programs like artist residencies, research and projects.

  • We have industry standard gear and studio spaces at the lowest possible rate.

  • We are an artist-run organization that prioritizes the needs of artists. We provide opportunities for artists to learn, develop and sustain their practices.


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FAQs

  • During office hours (Wednesday-Friday 10AM-5PM). Our space is located on 2238 Maitland St., and is up a hilled parking lot. We don’t own any spaces, so try your best to find a spot on the street and we can help you load from there.

  • Our rates depend on the equipment you are looking to rent. In order to rent equipment, you need to become a member. This fee is paid once annually.

    We only book gear for the times you ACTUALLY use it.

    Example: You book a camera for 3 days and only shoot on 1 day. We will only charge for 1 day rental.

    We operate on an honor-system, we trust our community to be honest to ensure we can keep this system going.

  • We can’t do D1 tapes. We can transfer any DVCAM, Mini DV, DV-SP, HDV, DVD, Digital 8, Hi8, 8mm, Betacam SP, 3/4” Umatic, or VHS tape.

    We can digitize your tape for you at our space on 2238 Maitland.

    You need to become a member in order to have your tapes digitized. Our rate is $0.50 per/minute. When dropping off a tape, also bring a USB or harddrive with enough storage to drop the files, and we will send you an email when to pick them up. The files will be your drive on pick-up.

  • Maximum borrowing time is subject to availability and CFAT staff's discretion.

  • CFAT staff are all media artists with a variety of expertise that covers: analog film, electronic building, tape transfer, media art installation, sound art, VR etc. We are happy to answer questions and walk people through how to use it but are not any members personal technicians. The expectation is that the renter is to figure most of it out independently.

  • It is unfortunate, but it does happen. Our expectation is that we are informed of the damages upon return of the gear. So long as it is not a pattern, we will not revoke rentals, or access to the facilities onsite. We will always reach out to get a quote on what it’ll take to get gear fixed/replaced and reach out to our insurance to see if we qualify for coverage. Failure to return gear in the same condition as it was rented (with all the components included in a working condition), and the failure to communicate with the CFAT staff of the damages will result in one or more of the following:

    Membership revoked for the next calendar year, or permanently depending on damage

    >Issue of invoice to cover cost of damages

  • When you become a member you will be given access to our booking software: AMS. You can always book gear through this interface. If you need to cancel or cut a booking short, give us a call or send us an email. You can always return it earlier than you anticipated during office hours.

    If we have not been made aware of the late return, see late fees included in our rental agreement.

  • No to facility, yes to gear. Everyone that uses our inhouse facilities needs to become a member with us (see memberships here). When renting a facility, you can bring friends/collaborators but you have to be present if it is in your name. As per gear it is assumed as the renter, you are responsible for the well-being of the gear but other people can use it and drop it off in your name.

CFAT is a registered charity.

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