Top Spots for Art Lovers in Vancouver

Though better known for its outdoor opportunities, Vancouver’s reputation as a creative hub in Canada is growing. The city has an increasingly sophisticated cultural scene, with no shortage of museums, cutting-edge galleries, thought-provoking public art, and eye-catching murals. Here are the must-see sights for art lovers in Vancouver.

Vancouver Art Gallery

A top attraction for art fans, the Vancouver Art Gallery hosts both permanent contemporary collections and big-name traveling exhibitions. Don’t miss the paintings of British Columbia artist Emily Carr, who is known for post-impressionist depictions of the Canadian wilderness and her First Nations-inspired imagery.

Main Street

Main Street—and the streets radiating off it between East 3rd Avenue and East 15th Avenue—has been brightened up in recent years by the addition of large-scale street art works. Most of these murals have been created as part of the Vancouver Mural Festival, meaning new works appear every year.

Granville

Discover contemporary local artists at independent galleries dotted around Granville Island and South Granville. Take an art tour of the area for a guided walk to the best of them.

Public Art

Vancouver is peppered with public artworks, from the Justin Langlois-designed Should I Be Worried? installation, a neon sign that frames the False Creek shoreline, to the totem poles at Stanley Park, an example of First Nations creativity and craftsmanship. Tours of the park will ensure you get to view the totem poles and other works from First Nations artists, such as Richard Krentz’s Raven: Spirit of Transformation, which was carved from the stump of a Douglas fir tree.