This winter, you can help ensure that children and youth continue to experience the joy, confidence, and curiosity that come from making and encountering art at the Gordon Smith Gallery and through Artists for Kids.
Through exhibitions, school programs, family art-making days, camps, bursaries, and scholarships, the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists helps keep art education for life at the heart of our community.
The impact of your gift
Your donation supports programs that:
- Welcome children and families into the Gallery
Free and low-cost programs like Explore & Create Saturdays invite kids, parents, and grandparents to make art side by side, inspired by the current exhibition. - Support art education in schools
Class visits and teacher resources connect K–12 students with original Canadian artworks. Students learn to look closely, think critically, and express their ideas visually—skills they carry into every part of their lives. - Open doors to camps and deeper learning
Bursaries and program support help young people attend after-school courses, Spring and Summer art camps, and the Paradise Valley Summer School of Visual Art, where they learn from professional artists and BC-certified art specialist teachers. - Invest in emerging young artists
Scholarships for graduating students pursuing visual arts at the post-secondary level help the next generation of artists take their first steps with confidence.
“My confidence has definitely grown, both as a social person and as an artist, and that’s because of the work and the feedback I’ve received from my teachers in the Artists for Kids programs. It makes you think of all the possibilities for the future.”
— Asha, Artists for Kids student
Ways to give
Every contribution makes a difference:
- Make a one-time gift
Choose an amount that is meaningful to you. For example:- $75 can provide art materials for a family Explore & Create session.
- $150 can help bring a classroom to the Gallery for a guided visit.
- $500 can support bursaries so that a young artist can attend camp.
- Become a monthly donor
A monthly gift—of any size—provides steady, reliable support for programs throughout the year. - Give in honour or in memory
Celebrate a teacher, artist, or loved one with a tribute gift. We will gladly send a note acknowledging your gift. - Donate securities or explore legacy giving
We gratefully accept gifts of securities and are happy to speak with you about including the Smith Foundation in your estate plans.
There are many ways that you as an individual can support the Foundation and its work.
In Honour
Celebrate any occasion with a donation in the name of a friend or family member. Perfect for a loved one who is passionate about the arts. We will send a personalized thank you card to show our appreciation.
In Memory
Celebrate someone who loved the arts during their lifetime with a gift in their memory. Our team will write a thoughtful message to your family members and friends to inform them of your donation. The amount of your contribution will be kept confidential.
Planned Giving
Leave your own personal legacy to The Smith Foundation by making a planned gift.
The Smith Foundation produces a number of events each year. These include our fundraising luncheons and galas, our classical and jazz musical series, our youth programming and our exhibitions. Sponsorship of any of these activities showcases your organization’s support for the community.
Event Sponsorship
Strengthen your organization’s profile as a community supporter by sponsoring one or more of our events.
Exhibition and Public Program Sponsorship
Sponsorship of one of our exhibits or programs allows your name to become part of our community’s cultural experience.
It’s all in the name!
The Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art is a cultural asset in our community. By choosing a venue or space to be named after you, your organization, or a loved one, you will support our work in a visible manner.