Public Art Vancouver commissions artists and supports artistic practices that open spaces for encounters with art and the city. The program provides art opportunities of many kinds from single commissions to artist collaborations with design professionals and diverse communities.
Videos: Meet the artists
Examples of recent public art commissions include artists Kitty Guerin, Janet Wang, Tafui, and Romane Bladou's works for Platforms: We Are Here, Live, and Paul de Guzman's socially-engaged project which was produced through the Artist-Initiated Commissions program.
Watch the video to hear the artists speak about these works in their own words.
What's happeningA call for nominations for Platforms 2025: The Teachers Among Us
We invite nominations of senior artists who have mentored, taught, or influenced your artistic career.
This program aims to spotlight those who have not only shaped the artwork of this region but also mentored a younger generation of artists.
Learn how to nominate a senior artist
Indigenous artist call for PNE Amphitheatre
We are excited to announce a call for public art and integrated design at the PNE Amphitheatre renewal site.
This call is exclusively for xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) artists or artist teams to submit Expressions of Interest for creating 3 different Coast Salish artworks at the new amphitheatre.
Gassy Jack and Maple Tree Square updates
The Gassy Jack statue was donated to the City in 1974 when it became part of the public art collection. It was a tribute to John Deighton, a bar owner who was married to two Squamish women during his life, one of whom was 12 years old.
In February 2022, the statue came down in a community protest. It is currently in storage and will not be reinstalled in Gastown.
We continue to work with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), to identify appropriate next steps in regards to Gassy Jack.
Current status of Maple Tree Square
We're consulting with xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and community partners to plan the future of Maple Tree Square as part of the Gastown Public Spaces Plan to ensure that the public spaces prioritize equity and are Indigenous-centered.
Current public art projects
Launch Pad
Launch Pad features artwork by 20 recent graduates on billboards along the Arbutus Greenway.
Platforms: Nine Places for Seeing
A rolling program of newly commissioned works by 21 local and urban Indigenous artists on multiple public platforms throughout the city.
The Collective Agency Project
The Collective Agency Project provides a group of older adults with a unique opportunity to work with established artists.
Centennial Totem Pole Conservation Project
We're reviewing the future of the Centennial Totem Pole located in Hadden Park just south of the Maritime Museum in Kitsilano.
Hastings Park: Home + Away
Home + Away is a playful public artwork with seating at Hastings Park's Empire Fields. Learn about the artists and how they made this possible.
Contacts
Public Art Program
501 - 111 West Hastings St
Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4
ArtsFinder
Arts, Culture, and Environment Park Board
2099 Beach Ave
Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4