Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art

The Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art is owned by North Vancouver School District #44 and is home to the acclaimed Artists for Kids (AFK) permanent teaching collection. AFK has been acquiring masterworks from Canada’s leading artists, for more than 26 years. The 50 artists represented are the primary supporters of AFK’s hands-on-artist-and teacher-led art programs. The collection includes works by modern artists such as Bill Reid, Jack Shadbolt and Gordon Smith to conceptual artists including Rodney Graham, Ian Wallace and Graham Gillmore. The Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists and Artists for Kids work collaboratively to program the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art. During the spring and summer months, the Smith Foundation presents professionally curated exhibitions that represent the range of advanced practice in visual arts; publications that provide in-depth explorations of contemporary art; lectures and symposia with leading artists and curators who encourage debate and further understanding; interpretative tools that invite visitors to question, explore and reflect upon their experiences; and programming that incorporates other areas of culture at their intersection with visual art. During the school year, selections from the Artists for Kids (AFK) Teaching Collection are exhibited for school groups, families and the general public. Works are chosen that share a common theme and speak to important art historical, social, cultural, political or environmental issues in a way that is accessible and encourages significant interaction with Canadian art.