YVR Art Foundation

The YVR Art Foundation (YVRAF) is an independent, not-for-profit charitable organization based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Established in 1993 by the Vancouver Airport Authority, the foundation is dedicated to the development and advancement of visual art by First Nations artists from British Columbia and Yukon. It supports the vitality and sustainability of Indigenous art for artists, their communities, and the broader public in the region.

Mission and Goals

YVR Art Foundation aims to provide funding, exhibition, and research opportunities specifically for BC and Yukon First Nations artists. The organization focuses on fostering Indigenous visual art through scholarships, grants, awards, and travel support. Its mission emphasizes enhancing artistic practices and cultural connections among Indigenous artists and youth.

Programs

YVRAF offers several funding programs targeted at different stages of artistic careers and community engagement:

• Emerging Artist Scholarships: $5,000 awards for emerging BC and Yukon First Nations artists to help develop their art practice through mentorships or art education.
• Mid-Career Artist Scholarships: $5,000 awards aimed at supporting artists in furthering their professional art development.
• Microgrants: $500 grants for research and virtual visits to museum collections to support Indigenous artists’ study and research activities.
• Travel Grants: Support for BC or Yukon First Nations artists and community researchers to travel and study Indigenous art collections in museums across Canada, the United States, and Europe. This includes the Bill McLennan Masterpiece Study Program which finances travel for studying ancestral works held in historical collections.
• Aspiring Artist Awards: $500 awards recognizing Indigenous youth aged 15-20, helping them connect with their Nation’s material culture and artistic heritage.

Notable Initiatives

The Bill McLennan Masterpiece Study Program is a significant component of YVRAF's offerings. With grants from partners such as the Hauser & Wirth Institute, including a notable $10,000 award in 2021, the program expanded to include a "community researcher" grant category. This allows non-artists, such as scholars and cultural researchers, to engage with institutional archives and collections of Indigenous art and artifacts.

Impact

Since its inception, YVR Art Foundation has awarded over $400,000 in scholarships, grants, and awards to more than 100 Indigenous artists. It has played a crucial role in promoting Indigenous visual arts in British Columbia and Yukon by investing in both emerging and established artists and facilitating important research and cultural exchange.

Governance and Funding

The foundation operates as a registered Canadian charity (Business Registration Number: 139006779RR0001) and is supported through annual contributions from YVR, corporate donors, individuals, and other foundations. It maintains an independent board of directors to oversee its programs and initiatives.

The YVR Art Foundation continues to be a leading organization dedicated to nurturing the cultural and artistic achievements of Indigenous peoples in Western Canada, providing essential resources to maintain and grow Indigenous visual arts practices.

[1] https://hauserwirthinstitute.org/grant/yvraf/ [2] https://www.yvraf.com [3] https://www.yvraf.com/about/ [4] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/yvr-art-foundation/ [5] https://hauserwirthinstitute.org/grant/yvr-art-foundation/