North Van Arts (North Vancouver Community Arts Council) is a grassroots, not-for-profit, charitable organization with a mandate to build strong and healthy communities through the arts. Founded in 1969, North Van Arts has been dedicated to supporting artists and the community by maximizing the intrinsic value of the arts in all disciplines for over 50 years.

How can you help?

Your donation will help us support artists through exhibitions, arts education, innovative events, and professional development, creating a cultural legacy and a vibrant community. Our organization provides vital platforms for artists to connect to the community, and we need your support to help us to continue to deliver our programs and champion the impact of arts and culture on the North Shore.

Building strong and healthy communities through the arts

The impact of the arts and art education must not be underestimated, with mounting evidence about its positive effects on building social connections, mental health and inspiring curiosity and learning. Arts help foster creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and cognitive development, equipping individuals young and old with skills that can be transferred into a wide variety of professions and industries.

The arts also help to connect marginalized people in our communities, performing a key role as a catalyst for community dialogue and debate, helping to integrate those who are isolated due to health, financial, or societal effects. Offering a wide variety of exhibition opportunities, courses, and workshops through our programs, North Van Arts works hard with the community and local schools to provide high-quality, informative exhibitions, events, and arts education opportunities that are accessible to all.

Championing artists and the creative economy 

We advocate for cultural policy, facilitating cultural projects and community engagement across the North Shore. We believe arts and culture are at the heart of urban and economic regeneration, with artists and creatives helping to invigorate communities, breathing life into neighborhoods, developing cultural identity, and creating unique hubs of creative industry and business.

Our greatest asset is our community of over 450 active members comprised of artists, educators, industry professionals, and those with a passion for arts and creativity. Our members help to inspire and inform our programming, creating a cultural network of mentors, teachers, and innovators who strive to champion and develop an awareness of the arts on the North Shore. 

We achieve our goals each year by offering: 

• Exhibition calls and opportunities for artists in three public gallery spaces;
• Arts Education for ages 6 and up through art camps, courses, and workshops, delivered by industry professionals;
• Innovative programming for vulnerable youth, such as music therapy and art and mycology;
• Accessible events showcasing local artists, highlighting the vibrant cultural community on the North Shore;  
• The North Shore Culture Compass, a unique interactive online resource to connect residents and visitors with cultural opportunities across Vancouver's North Shore region. 

Please Donate now!

To ensure arts and culture continue to thrive and flourish, please donate now. Every donation counts and with your help, we can continue to strengthen community for generations to come.