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Arts Umbrella is where young artists from age two to 22 cultivate their creativity in dance, theatre, and art and design. As a non-profit arts-education centre, the organization is centred on the belief that art has the power to change kids’ lives in phenomenal ways, to inspire young people to become confident, creative, and compassionate citizens.

Arts Umbrella’s mission is to be Canada’s leader in arts education for young people, a place that builds community and delivers profound life experiences through our commitment to innovation, excellence, and inclusivity. At the heart of everything it does, the organization inspires people to live expressive, authentic, and courageous lives.

In 1979, Arts Umbrella opened its doors to 45 children. It was an endeavour buoyed by the dream of five passionate artists and parents concerned about the lack of arts education available to young people in Metro Vancouver. Their dream was to instill in all children a love of the arts. When young people connect with the arts, they gain self-confidence, develop self-discipline, and discover creative expression—qualities they carry with them for life.

With the first classes in visual and performing arts being held in a borrowed space, the need for a permanent location became clear. By 1983, Arts Umbrella moved into its new home on Granville Island—a converted 1930s nail factory—and began fundraising for renovations. 

The organization has grown immensely over the years, currently reaching 24,000 youth throughout Metro Vancouver every year. Access to the arts regardless of social or economic circumstance has been a cornerstone of Arts Umbrella’s vision since the day it was founded. Over 80 percent of students participate at little to no cost.

Arts Umbrella has four locations in Vancouver and Surrey, as well as donor-funded programs at schools, community centres, neighbourhood houses, and healthcare facilities across Metro Vancouver. It also provides significant community access through scholarships and bursaries.

In the spring of 2021, Arts Umbrella will open the doors to its new 50,000-net-square-foot home in the iconic South Building of the former Emily Carr University of Art + Design on Granville Island. The facility more than doubles its current square footage, significantly increasing capacity to serve young people throughout Metro Vancouver and across the province.

When Arts Umbrella’s new home opens, it will set a new precedent for youth arts education in North America: a truly dynamic multi-disciplinary arts hub that will deliver the very best in arts programming for young people. The space will also be open to professional and community artists and performance groups, promoting continued community interactions between artists of all ages and experience.

Among the new facility’s features are six dance studios, four theatre and music studios, 10 art and design studios (including Mac labs and a print shop), a 132-seat professional theatre, a permanent exhibition gallery, and workshop spaces for woodworking and stagecraft.

Co-founded by Carol Henriquez and Gloria Schwartz, Arts Umbrella is one of the largest employers of artists and arts educators in the province. The organization prides itself on the quality of instruction by industry experts, practising artists, and specialized educators as well as the range of creative disciplines on offer and the standard of equipment and materials available

Arts Umbrella classes are based on arts education principles that seek to engage and foster the whole child. There is a strong emphasis on personal development; the life skills participants gain are as important, if not more important, than the final product or performance.

Arts Umbrella’s vision is a better world where all young people are inspired to pursue a lifelong journey toward self-expression, compassion, and humanity.