RBC Emerging Artist Program

The RBC Emerging Artist Program is an initiative aimed at offering support for emerging artists and arts professionals in British Columbia. This program is designed to take a holistic approach, providing mentorship, visibility and leadership opportunities to its participants while facilitating their professional development through collaboration with the Vancouver Art Gallery and its extensive network. 

The primary focus of the program is to not only support emerging artists from education to full-time employment but to also provide the necessary skills, mentorship and creative platforms to provide provincial, national and eventually international engagement opportunities. 

The program’s initiatives include the RBC Entrepreneurship Program, the new role of RBC Artist/Curator in Residence and SPOTLIGHT art installations.

The RBC Entrepreneurship Program will offer professional development opportunities to emerging, BC–based artists represented by the Gallery’s Art Rental & Sales Program (AR&S) through ongoing mentorship and financial literacy training.

The RBC Artist/Curator in Residence position will invite new voices and perspectives to the Gallery’s Curatorial Department through wide-ranging projects spanning exhibitions, performances, research and publications.

Presented by RBC, SPOTLIGHT is a special initiative organized by AR&S in collaboration with the Gallery’s Curatorial Department. It aims to provide new opportunities for emerging artists by activating the Gallery’s exterior and lobby spaces for thousands of visitors each year.