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Background Information
Arts Umbrella is Canada’s visual and performing arts institute
for young people, providing comprehensive, high quality arts education
programs children ages 2 to 19. Situated on Granville Island in Vancouver,
Arts Umbrella's mandate is to deliver the highest quality visual and
performing arts training to young people in the community, regardless
of their financial means. The central facility houses five dance and
theatre studios, five visual arts studios, a photography lab, and
a media arts lab.
Arts Umbrella believes that all children benefit from an education
in the arts and strives to ensure that this education is accessible
for all who wish to participate. No student has been turned away because
he or she could not afford the tuition fees. 75% of students access
programs through bursaries, scholarships and free outreach programs.
Tuition fees cover only 48% of the organization’s annual operating
budget, with 2% coming from government and the remainder from corporate,
individual and foundation donations.
Since its inception in 1979 with only 45 students, Arts Umbrella has
grown to reach more than 30,000 young people annually. Over 260 classes
run each week, ranging from general courses to pre-professional studies
in theatre, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, film making,
photography, media arts, and more. Arts Umbrella’s instructors
and staff are all professionals in their field. They are artists,
actors, educators, administrators and directors who make challenging,
progressive and enjoyable programming available.
Demand for Arts Umbrella's programs has increased 700% in the last
10 years, and programming continues to grow and expand in new directions.
In Spring 2002, Arts Umbrella partnered with Sarah McLachlan in creating
free music education to young people in Vancouver's inner city, The
Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project.
Arts Umbrella is a registered non-profit organization and charity
that relies on the support of the community to realize their mandate
to inspire kids for life.
For more information please contact:
Erin Gawne
Arts Umbrella
egawne@artsumbrella.com
604.681.5268 x249 / 604.681.5285 fax
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