Exploring the Metro Vancouver art scene doesn’t have to cost more than an auction house old master. But the trick to avoiding pricey exhibitions or gallery admissions is to know exactly where to go without having to pay. And luckily there are more gratis local options than Jackson Pollock paint splatters––so long as you know where to look.
Galleries galore
If you’ve read FREECOUVER, you’ll know there are multiple local galleries––from Vancouver to Richmond and from Coquitlam to West Van––that are permanently free to enter. We cover all the best options with lively first-hand profiles. Many of these also offer free or low cost special activities such as opening receptions, guided tours or interactive workshops.
But we also recommend checking out the monthly First Saturday Open Studios event. This is a free, artist-run happening where dozens of creatives in Vancouver and around B.C. invite you to visit them where they work. It’s a great way to meet-and-greet our local art community and check out their work in situ.
Crawls and more
If you love the idea of encountering artists face-to-face, you should also mark your calendar for the annual Eastside Culture Crawl. This fall-season art-palooza throws open the doors of multiple studios and art spaces in East Vancouver for a few days every November––if you’ve never been before, make sure you don’t miss it this year!
But there are also several other art crawl events around our region. Consider the Delta Studio Stomp, New West Culture Crawl and the North Shore Art Crawl. And if you’re looking for additional artsy happenings throughout the year, dive into the ever-changing events sections of websites such as Art BC and the Richmond Arts Coalition, each listing both free and non-free things to do.
Public art
You don’t have to wait for an event to satisfy your cost-free artsy desires, though. We highly recommend launching a self-guided public art walk, taking you around some cool creations on your own day out adventure. From monumental installations to sidewalk mosaics to hidden gem statues, you can find out exactly where everything is in Vancouver via the city’s online Public Art Registry.
Alternatively, consider hopping across to North Van and plotting a great day out via their downloadable Public Art Map. Hungry for more? Richmond also an online Public Art Registry, complete with a map that helps you track down a huge array of chin-strokingly intriguing works. And don’t forget that wherever you end up exploring, you’re rarely far from some highly photogenic murals––keep your eyes peeled!
Free days
Alfresco art crawls are great when the weather co-operates. But if you need to head undercover––and you’ve already checked out all the admission-free galleries we profile in the pages of FREECOUVER––you should also consider visiting some top-notch local galleries that charge for entry.
Don’t worry, though, we haven’t suddenly abandoned our commitment to freebie experiences. Many local attractions where you normally have to pay offer regular cost-free admission days. These include the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art––visit our dedicated page on free-entry days at local paid attractions for more information.