By Brittany Tiplady

Art galleries and museums across BC are working to make their programming more accessible: and that means inviting children and families to participate in the fun. Next time you’re planning a weekend with your kiddos, take in local culture at your own pace and check out this list of galleries offering weekly, monthly and bi-monthly  family events, often free-of-charge and catered to all ages and abilities. 

Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver

Event: Every Sunday from 12 to 4 PM, the Vancouver Art Gallery offers interactive activities for children and families. VAG’S team of “art agents” lead exploration, conversation and, of course, ample amount of play with materials provided. Weekly events are themed and include a paired activity. Upcoming themes and activities are available on the VAG website. 

When: Every Sunday, 12-4 PM

Cost: Free for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult.

The Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver

Event: All ages and abilities are invited to the CAG for short exhibition tours and free art-making activities that coincide with the current exhibitions at the CAG. 

When: The last Saturday of every month, 12-3 PM

Cost: Free drop-in

Audain Art Museum, Whistler

Event: Every month, Family Studio Sunday follows a new theme that invites children and families to create their own works of art. The theme for February is Seascapes and Water Colours inspired by “Canadian artist, E.J. Hughes. Hughes created detailed and colourful seascapes of the British Columbian Coast.” Family Studio Sunday invites folks of all ages; those 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

When: Every Sunday, 12 -4 PM

Cost: Free for members and with admission 

Burnaby Art Gallery, Burnaby

Event: The Burnaby Art Gallery has a generous selection of family and parent & child preschool activities. For “In the BAG Family Sundays,” visitors are invited to visit the gallery and then head into the studio for family-friendly art projects. A different project is featured each month. The February 16 theme is “Site as Source” and the March 8 theme is “Process through Place.” 

When: Sundays, 1-4 PM

Cost: Family Sundays are free. “Parent & Tot/Preschool” events vary in cost and scheduling, check the program for details. 

ArtsToGo Workshops, New Westminster 

Event: The ArtsToGo arts education program operates as fully hands-on, barrier-free, no-cost art stations for children and their families. ArtsToGo is multi-disciplinary featuring workshops leaders trained in visual, literary and/or performing arts.  Each workshop has a different art project designed to fit within the theme of the event.

When: The next ArtsToGo event is Wednesday, February 26 at Lord Kelvin School, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Cost: Barrier-free, no-cost art stations for children and their families

Fort Gallery, Langley

Event: During spring break, Fort Gallery is offering a variety of  art workshops for kids, including print making, collage and sculpture.

When: March 16 – 20, 2020

Cost: $40 per workshop or $175 per week

North Van Arts

Event: North Van Arts is holding a spring break kid’s art camp that takes kids on inspirational journeys through nature, and then leads them through creating art related to what was explored that day.

When: March 23 – 27, 2020

Cost: $375 for the week

Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey

Event: Family Sundays are hosted by Surrey Art Gallery Artist educators and volunteers, providing guests with art activities that coordinate with the themes of the current exhibitions. Get creative with visual and sensory activities including interactive dance performances! 

When: The next Family Sunday is March 15, 2020, 11:00 AM-3PM

Cost: Free

The post Art Galleries with Family Programming appeared first on West Coast Curated.