Vancouver Art Gallery

The Vancouver Art Gallery is the main art museum of British Columbia and one of the largest in Western Canada. It was founded in 1931, and since 1983 it has been housed in the former provincial courthouse at 750 Hornby Street, in the middle of downtown Vancouver, facing the plaza at Robson Square. The courthouse was designed by the architect Francis Rattenbury, who also designed the Empress Hotel and the provincial legislature in Victoria, and it was converted for gallery use by Arthur Erickson. The result is a solid neoclassical building with columns and stone lions at the Georgia Street entrance, and a modern interior arranged around the older shell.

The gallery's collection numbers in the thousands of works and emphasises art from British Columbia and Canada, along with international art. It holds a major collection of paintings by Emily Carr, the West Coast painter known for her views of forests and Indigenous villages, and she remains one of the best-known names in Canadian art. Work by Indigenous artists, photography and contemporary art are also prominent, and the collection includes the photography of Fred Herzog, who documented the street life of mid-century Vancouver in colour.

Exhibitions rotate throughout the year, with a mix of international shows, historical surveys and displays of contemporary art by artists based in the region. Programs include artist talks, tours, lectures and family activities, and the gallery regularly collaborates with local arts organisations. Some displays fill several floors, and a visit can be short and focused or take most of an afternoon. Visitors should check the current schedule, as the major shows change several times a year. For the latest details, the gallery's website lists what is on.

The gallery is publicly supported, with funding from the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia and the Canada Council for the Arts, along with donors and members. It has long discussed building a new, larger home, and the future of the site has been the subject of public debate in the city.

The location makes the gallery easy to include in a downtown walk. Robson Street, with its shops and restaurants, is nearby, and the plaza in front is a gathering place for events, skating in winter and food trucks in summer. The gallery suits art lovers, those curious about Pacific Northwest culture, and anyone who wants an indoor option on a wet day. Allow at least two hours for a visit, and check opening hours and ticket details before you go.