For the art enthusiast and the museum lover, Vancouver is not exactly the cheapest place to be. High admission fees can be a barrier for many looking to access the local art and history scenes, so we thought we’d share some spots around the city that offer a unique look into new artistic perspectives free of charge.

Without further ado, here are 8 free museums & galleries to check out in Vancouver.

The Belkin Gallery 

While The Belkin Gallery is closed for installation until Wednesday, January 11th, we’re sure the newest exhibitions are well worth the wait. A ‘garden’ of artists called The Willful Plot is currently on from 6 to 8 pm, and guests can also check out a slew of outdoor art exhibits.

The gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Friday, and from noon until 5 pm on weekends.

Where: 1825 Main Mall, UBC

Vancouver Bienne Open Air Museum

 

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At the crux of local art, social action, and community engagement is The Vancouver Biennale – a nonprofit exhibiting public art throughout the city. The Open Air Museum includes everything from sculptures and murals to new media, music, and film. The exhibition features both local talent and internationally acclaimed artists like Ai Weiwei, Dennis Oppenheim, and OSGEMEOS.

They also have two touring exhibits right now: Zarina Laalo’s Threads Through Time and Weaving Cultural Identities.

Where: Public art throughout Vancouver

Pendulum Gallery

 

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Currently, you can see Ann Goldberg’s vibrant Perennial Canadians at the Pendulum Gallery for free. The gallery is open from 9 am to 6 pm from Monday to Wednesday, until 9 pm from Thursday to Friday, and until 5 pm on Saturday.

Where: 885 West Georgia Street

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Gallery Jones Fine Art

From January 12th to February 11th, visitors at Gallery Jones can check out Pierre Coupey’s Echo’s Bones, Essay by Colin Browne, and Enn Erisalu’s Floating Forms. The gallery is open on Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 to 6 pm, and from noon until 5 pm on Saturdays.

Where: 258 East 1st Avenue

Contemporary Art Gallery

Vancouver’s Contemporary Art Gallery has a ton of exciting exhibits and programming in the works. And while the gallery is currently closed for installation until January 27th, visitors can look forward to Kathy Slade’s new exhibition exploring Nietzsche’s experience in Sils Maria, Switzerland – reimagined.

Where: 555 Nelson Street

Bill Reid Gallery

 

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While regular admission is $11, every first Friday of the month at the Bill Reid Gallery is free for all ages. Guests have the chance to explore many First Nations’ works, including Keeping the Song Alive by Cheryl ‘Ka’kaso’las Wadhams and True to Place by Xémontalót Carrielynn Victor. Both exhibits are on until March 19th.

Where:  639 Hornby Street

Chali-Rosso Art Gallery 

Offering a look at original works of art by some of the most well-known modern artists like Picasso, Dalí, Chagall, Matisse, and more is the Chali-Rosso Art Gallery. More recently, the gallery has come out with several sculpture exhibitions titled Definitely Dali, which bring giant Salvador Dalí statues to various public spaces around Vancouver.

The gallery is open from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

Where: 312-999 Canada Place

Equinox Gallery

While the Equinox Gallery is not currently displaying any artwork, mark your calendars for January 21st – when the gallery will debut its next free exhibition.

Where: 3642 Commercial Drive

And that’s a wrap on some great free museums & galleries you can visit in Vancouver.

Curiocity Staff

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