A Guide to Vancouver’s Best Museums

World Arts + Cultures

The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) creates Vancouver-focused exhibitions and programs that encourage dynamic conversations about what was, is, and can be Vancouver. Permanent exhibitions tell the city’s stories from the early 1900s to the late 1970s and are complemented by contemporary, groundbreaking feature exhibits.

Since its rebranding in 2009 the MOV has become a leader in the reimagining of museums. Our exhibitions are Vancouver centric and designed to make the viewer think not just about the objects, but their greater context. We’ve played host to two Venice Biennale in Architecture projects. We’ve even gone so far as to hire a Curator of Contemporary Issues. We are a bold, contemporary museum, and we can’t wait for you to visit.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is a wonderful place honouring local and international artists who place heartfelt emotions and memories into their work to create awareness and unity.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is a not-for-profit organization supported by its members, individual donors, corporate funders, foundations, and the City of Vancouver. The museum occupies a 15,300-square-metre-building adjacent to Robson Square in downtown Vancouver, making it the largest art museum in Western Canada.

As of 2021, the Vancouver Art Gallery is displaying 215 pairs of shoes in memoriam of 215 Indigenous children buried in a mass grave between 1900-1971 at the site of Kamloops Residential School. This exhibit is meant to honour their lives, those of their families, and raise awareness.

The gallery provides guided tours every month and has on going exhibitions, education, and special events. Order discounted tickets here for all ages in advance of your visit.

Science World is the ultimate spot for family fun and hands-on learning in Vancouver! This interactive science museum is packed with cool exhibits, live shows, and mind-blowing experiments that’ll spark curiosity in kids and adults alike. From exploring outer space to diving into the world of dinosaurs, there’s always something new to discover. With its iconic geodesic dome and endless adventures inside, Science World is the perfect place to make learning a blast for the whole family!

Downtown Vancouver’s public gallery name after the acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid (1920 – 1998). The Gallery showcases the permanent collection of Bill Reid alongisde changing exhibitions of contemporary Northwest Coast Art.