Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long should I plan for my visit?

A. Of course, how you personally like to spend time in Art Galleries and Museums will influence the answer to this question, but average visits last between one and one and a half hours.

Q. I am looking for an artist named John Smith. How can I find him?
Q. I want to find an artist who paints portraits. Where do I go?

(reproduced with permission from the Alliance for Arts and Culture)

A. The Fine Arts and Music Division of the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch keeps active files on Canadian visual artists. You can reach library staff by phone at 604-331-3603.

A. CARFAC is a national, volunteer-run professional association of member artists. You may find the artist you’re seeking by contacting CARFAC. In Vancouver, you can reach CARFAC by phone at 604-519-4669.

A. Artists in Canada is a website which has a national directory that lists Canadian artists, art galleries, association and arts resources.

A. Artists in Canada Database is a directory maintained by the National Gallery of Canada, and identifies the location of documentation on Canadian artists. 23 libraries, archives, and art galleries across Canada have contributed biographical information and lists of their holdings to create this union list. Accompanying the name of each artist are the names of the institutions that have a file on the artist, containing information such as press clippings, exhibition announcements, and other items. Copies of these items can be obtained from the contributing institutions.