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Our mission statement declares:
"The Vancouver Art Gallery exists to serve the many purposes of art. As a public institution, aware of the essential role art plays in shaping and clarifying culture, the Gallery pursues this goal through the highest quality collections, exhibitions, programs and the services of its personnel. The focus of these pursuits is contemporary in the conviction that through such a focus on visual art the Gallery can contribute locally, nationally and internationally to the evolution of a living culture."
Gallery History and Information
Founded in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery is the largest Canadian art museum west of Toronto and the fourth largest in Canada. It occupies an important heritage building in the centre of downtown Vancouver, a former 1910 provincial courthouse that was renovated in the 1980s by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson. The building complex includes four floors of exhibition and permanent collection display space, meeting rooms, a Cafe, Shop, Library, Art Rental Gallery, offices and technical areas.
The Gallery is operated by a charitable society, the Vancouver Art Gallery Association, and is governed by an elected Board of Trustees. It has a full-time staff of just over 50 people with additional part-time staff members. The Vancouver Art Gallery focuses on the acquisition, public exhibition and interpretation of works of art, principally by contemporary artists.
Location
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby Street; Vancouver, British Columbia; Canada V6Z 2H7
topographies: aspects of recent BC art
The book which accompanies the topographies: aspects of recent BC art exhibition is available in bookstores across Canada. Published by Douglas & McIntyre.
Fall Public Programs
The Vancouver Art Gallery offers visitors of all ages a variety of programs to enhance your enjoyment of topographies: aspects of BC art.
Gallery talks with the Artists and Curators
Thursday Evenings @ 7:30 pm
October 3 - December 12
During topographies, you'll have an opportunity to hear the artists and curators as they take you on a tour of the exhibition. View the works on display and take part in the discussions related to the challenging ideas and themes that influence contemporary B.C. art today.
Gallery Animateurs
Saturdays & Sundays between 12-4 pm
September 29-January 5
You'll find Gallery Animateurs troughout the exhibition area. They can answer your questions about the artists and their art and explain many of the ideas and issues raised by the exhibition. Animateurs will also give short talks each hour (1:00/2:00/3:00 pm) to help you get started in exploring the exhibition.
supersunday
November 17 and December 15
Children love contemporary art. Get in on the excitement at our two topographies supersundays. We transform the Gallery into a fun-filled learning environment for families with school-aged children. Take a guided tour or wander around to see and hear live performances, story telling, and art demonstrations. Participate in art-making studios and investigate some of the art techniques found in the exhibition. It's a great way to explore the exhibit and a great day of artfun for everyone.
Open Studio
Continuous during Gallery hours
The Open Studio is a "user-friendly" environment on the 4th floor of the Gallery. During topographies, there will be three different artists-in-residence working on a public art project. Feel free to join in and try out your own art-making skills, chat for a while, or read the books and watch the videos that are available to expand your understanding of the topographies exhibition.
Art on Video
See the exhibition in real time and then check out the video of topographies: aspects of recent BC art produced by Rogers and the Vancouver Art Gallery. There are taped highlights of the exhibition and short segments on some of the featured artists. Visitors can see the 30 minute program at the Gallery during the exhibition or, catch it on the Rogers Community 4. The video is also available to schools and other interested groups. Call (604) 662-4717 for more information.
Exhibition Tours
Art is always accessible at the Vancouver Art Gallery through our popular tour programs designed for schools, tourists and club groups.
School Programs
Experienced docents provide exciting tours of the exhibition for groups of all ages. Participatory tours and workshops that complement the BC art curriculum are available for students from kindergarten to Grade 12. Hands-on art making workshops can be arranged with experienced art instructors.
Group Tours
Out of town tour groups, clubs and parties of 10 or more can take advantage of group discounts and arrange a guided tour of the exhibition by one of the gallery tour guides.
To arrange school or group tours call our Booking Centre at (604) 662-4717. Please inquire about the group discounts available.
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