Building Community Through Art
January 7, 2026
At Arts Umbrella, we are fortunate to collaborate with numerous organizations to share the joy of art across the city, spotlighting Vancouver’s young artists. Here are some of the exciting initiatives we’ve been working on recently at the Audain School of Art & Design:
Gallery for Young Artists at the Vancouver Playhouse
In partnership with Vancouver Civic Theatres, we are thrilled to collaborate once again with the Vancouver Playhouse to showcase the creativity of our students. This year, eighteen artworks from the Audain School of Art & Design have been selected for display as part of the Gallery for Young Artists at this iconic venue. It is a privilege to present these works in a space that celebrates Vancouver’s vibrant arts community; from live performances, to community events, including our own annual dance productions.
By connecting our young artists with the public, the Gallery for Young Artists highlights the importance of supporting emerging voices in the arts, as well as the fresh perspectives they bring to the city. The exhibition will be on view until May 2026.
Intergenerational Lantern Project
Ahead of Lunar New Year, Arts Umbrella has partnered with the Health Arts Society to create an intergenerational visual arts program in Vancouver’s Chinatown. The Health Arts Society, long known for providing live musical performances for seniors, is now joining forces with students from Crosstown Elementary for a series of educational workshops.
Led by Arts Umbrella instructor Yan Song, participants are creating artwork inspired by both the upcoming Lunar New Year of the Horse, and The Lantern City theme, “Brave the Wind.” Arts Umbrella will digitize the creations and transform them into lanterns that will be displayed publicly in February as part of Lantern City festival. Follow along on our social media channels to see the final installation.
The project will also be studied by researchers from Simon Fraser University, led by Dr. Lara Akin, who will examine the impact of intergenerational programming on both students and seniors.
Celebrating Student Art at Blakes
On November, 20 students aged 3-16 celebrated the installation of their work at the Downtown Vancouver office of our supporter, Blakes. This annual exhibition, which has been running for over a decade, showcases the incredible talent of Arts Umbrella students.
In 2023, Blakes moved into their new headquarters and reinforced their commitment to young artists by designing a dedicated space for the annual Arts Umbrella exhibition. Each participating student artist also receives an Arts Umbrella scholarship, helping to support their continued growth and creativity. The current exhibition will remain on display until October 2026.
These initiatives remind us that creativity is woven into the fabric of our city, and is a powerful tool for connection. You never know where you might encounter the work of our talented students!