"The arts as part of a general education have been marginalized in past decades, yet remain such an integral part in the development of children of all ages. As a former teacher, I deplore the lack of resources I see in today's schools. But I applaud what Artists for Kids has been able to do in spite of the current educational climate."

Gordon Smith

WHAT ARE OUR OBJECTIVES?

The foundation was created to build a permanent endowment fund whose increasing annual revenues support art education in BC and ensure the success and ongoing viability of Artists for Kids. This endowment fund is managed by the Vancouver Foundation, Canada's largest and one North America's oldest community foundations.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

To sustain itself and ensure the future financial stability of Artists for Kids with continued growth and new programs., THE GORDON AND MARION SMITH FOUNDATION is embarking on a $5 million endowment campaign for the following projects:

Develop, with the North Shore community, a permanent Art Education Centre including classrooms, studios, and a 4,000 sq. ft. gallery to house the Gordon Smith Teaching Collection of Canadian Art, thus enabling the public much greater access to this incredible resource. The new gallery is scheduled to open in 2010.
Expand the Paradise Valley Summer School of Visual Art program, making it the largest residential children’s art camp of its kind in Canada.
Expand community and school programs both in and beyond the North Shore.
Acquire new major works for the Trust’s Permanent Collection to enrich children’s understanding of fine arts.