Artists For Kids

Established in 1989 by renowned BC artist patrons Gordon Smith, Jack Shadbolt and Bill Reid, Artists For Kids was founded with the singular intent to support children, their art education, and their future.

To explore the full range of Artists for Kids programming and register for classes, visit the Artists For Kids Website through the North Vancouver School District link below.

Photo by Khim Mata Hipol

Artists For Kids

Artists for Kids brings together educators and the community at large, to provide inspiring, highly relevant educational experiences and enrichment, for thousands of young people annually, while encouraging students to pursue and share their own artistic voice and narrative. Through the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art, established as Canada's first public art gallery for young audiences, Artists for Kids has created a space for young audiences and our community to  experience the narrative of Canadian Art through a significant collection of visual art. As a visual arts catalyst in the community, Artists for Kids is proud to contribute to the development of a rich cultural aesthetic.

The continued growth and development of our acclaimed program in North Vancouver during the past three decades, provides substantial documentation that intentional art education in schools led by art specialists, can significantly transform young lives, inform programming in schools and ultimately shape a community in ways once thought unimaginable. We see clearly what can be accomplished and possible in education with intentional commitment, understanding and engagement.

At Paradise Valley Summer Camp in 1994, a group of children painting at an outdoor table with Gordon Smith in a light blue shirt and black apron standing and guiding the art activity.



Artists For Kids and the Gordon Smith Gallery are situated on the unceded territories of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Band.