Art Exchange

October 2025–June 2026

About the Program

This exciting, full-scholarship visual arts program for teens (ages 13 to 15) is a collaboration between Arts Umbrella and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Students explore, critique and observe exhibitions at the Vancouver Art Gallery, then respond by making their own work at Arts Umbrella.

This program takes place at the Vancouver Art Gallery and Arts Umbrella Granville Island.

At the Gallery, over this yearlong program, students gain behind-the-scenes access to a number of exhibitions and have the opportunity to learn from exhibiting artists and arts professionals through hands-on tours and workshops. Participants then respond to their experience in studio at Arts Umbrella through mentored and self-directed projects, with the chance to curate, install and critique their work multiple times a year in the Cassils | Henriquez Exhibition Gallery at Arts Umbrella.

How To Apply

Know a teen with a passion for art? Encourage them to apply for this immersive and one-of-a-kind experience now!

Applications are now being accepted. Submission packages are due Monday, September 29 at 8 AM.

For questions or inquiries, please email submissions@artsumbrella.com or call the Arts Umbrella Student Services team during business hours at 604-681-5268.

Submission Guidelines

Portfolio

Please submit 5-7 images of completed work and 3-5 images of sketchbook explorations that demonstrate study and experimentation. Please make sure that images are in JPEG format and no larger than 1 MB each. You should send no more than 10 images total. An image list with the title, date and medium used for each work must be included in your portfolio.

If there are barriers to submitting a digital portfolio, please contact us to make alternative arrangements.

Letter of Intent

Your letter must be between 500-1000 words, or roughly one page, in length. In your letter, please tell us why you are interested in this program, what you will contribute and how you will benefit from the experience. Please include a brief statement about the work in your portfolio and a description of your art practice (ie. primary medium, themes, references and inspirations, etc).