More than 100 digital effects artists could find work in Vancouver by the end of next year, following the arrival of Digital Domain. The California-based company is expanding to B.C. with the construction of a new 20,000-square-foot visual effects shop. The new location is looking to open in early 2010, bringing on 50 to 60 digital artists -‘primarily from Canada’ – to be followed by another 50 or more by the end of the year. The Vancouver studio, and the headquarters in Venice, CA, will be run by newly named feature film boss Gloria Borders.

The company said in a statement that it was lured north by B.C.’s talent pool and production incentives. The province has long had its DAVE tax credit, aimed for animation and effects, on the books, though recent efforts to boost its overall tax break have stalled.

The first project at the Vancouver site will be Disney’s Tron Legacy, already in the works at Venice. Recent DD projects include 2012 and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.