The British Columbia Photography and Media Arts Society (operating as The Polygon Gallery) inspires and provokes cultural insight through the histories and evolving technologies of photography and related media. With a long-standing commitment to accessibility, admission is by donation every day to all exhibitions and public programs, with free participation in educational student programs.

As a Gallery donor, you are a champion for artists at all stages of their career, from emerging to established. You help to foster the success of programs such as the Chester Fields photography program for high school students, which offers valuable mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and what is often the very first professional exhibition of students’ work.

Each year, 10-12 diverse exhibitions are made possible with support from donors like you, organized to both celebrate local artists and to bring the work of renowned international artists to local audiences for the first time. There is emphasis on providing a platform for BIPOC artists who are underrepresented in public galleries, such as the Interior Infinite presentation, and in particular to continue expanding engagement with the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xwməθkwəýəm (Musqueam) Nations. For example, the annual Response program leads primarily Indigenous participants through a series of workshops led by Indigenous media artists and Knowledge Keepers, and culminates in a showing of participants work at The Polygon.

The Gallery is a welcoming place for people of all ages, with offerings like Kids First Saturdays allowing children and their caregivers to enjoy kid-friendly tours and art-making workshops inspired by the works on display. Gallery School is another unique program that brings elementary school groups out of their classrooms and into The Polygon for five consecutive days, allowing each child to benefit from over 20 hours of tours, workshops, self-exploration, and discussion with artists.

Not a donor yet?  Every dollar has a meaningful impact, and donations of $100 (or $10 monthly) allows you to enjoy the benefits of an annual Membership and a full tax receipt. Join today to make a statement about the essential roles of art, access, and education in a lively and engaged community.