Artists For Kids and Gordon Smith Gallery

Artists for Kids is a North Vancouver arts education program paired with the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art. Together they create a space where kids can view professional artwork and then create their own in studio workshops led by teaching artists.

The Gordon Smith Gallery displays rotating exhibitions of Canadian contemporary art. The collection emphasizes BC artists and includes painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. For kids, seeing real art in a gallery setting is different from seeing reproductions in books. The scale, texture, and presence of original work makes an impression that digital images can't match.

The Artists for Kids program runs workshops, camps, and term classes where students work with professional materials in dedicated studio spaces. Programs are designed for ages roughly 5-18 and cover painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, digital art, and more. The teaching approach connects studio work to the exhibitions, so kids create art inspired by what they've just seen.

Located in North Vancouver, the facility is slightly off the main tourist path but worth the trip for families with artistically inclined kids. The North Shore location means you can combine a visit with other North Vancouver attractions like Capilano Suspension Bridge or the Polygon Gallery.

The gallery portion is free or by donation, making it an accessible art experience. Workshops and classes have fees but are reasonably priced compared to private art studios. The quality of instruction is high since many teaching artists are practicing professionals.

This is primarily a local resource rather than a tourist attraction, but families visiting Vancouver for an extended stay will find valuable programming here. Check the website for current exhibitions and any drop-in workshop opportunities.