Healing the DTES
A project proposed, developed and run by a peer community member, funded by the Consumer Initiative Fund
CIF Project Summary
Healing the DTES
Healing the DTES is an interactive display of art and music in the alleys of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side (DTES). This unique project offers an open invitation for those passing through to experience the healing power of music. Those who wish to engage with this project can use their own cell phone devices to access the soundtrack via QR codes.
Folks who access these alleyway codes may observe a spatial soundscape over their phones, rich with calming ambience mixed with nature sounds; they might hear hundreds of crows flying, or whalesong, the sound of horse grazing, waves, etc.
The aim is to provide a calming soundtrack amidst the psychogeography of the city’s grid-like landscape. Psychogeography is the study and practice of how geographical environments – whether intentionally designed or not – impact our emotions and behavior. Participants are encouraged to either follow a sonic narrative, from one location to the next, or drift along intermittently as they wish, while discovering different sound design pieces.
Throughout project activities we hope participants will:
- Discover a calming soundtrack in an unexpected environment
- Redefine the alleys as a creative healing place
- See and hear the alleys as they might experience entering an art gallery
- Bring a childlike curiosity or sense of wonder as they experience the soundtracks
In Summer/Fall of 2026 (details to be confirmed) a launch event will be held in a sound studio. The public is invited to attend this indoor, immersive experience and connect with the community of peers.
Healing the DTES is a community project led by Benjamin, a peer who spent time in the alleys of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side and found healing through music. He is motivated to pay it forward to the community by sharing his gift of sound design and meeting other peers where they are at.
- Open to those in Vancouver with lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges
- Participation is free
- No previous experience needed