VANCOUVER MURAL FESTIVAL: VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA

Vancouver Mural Festival’s mission is to create experiences that connect people with art. Over the past four years, they’ve added over 150 murals to the city and produced Western Canada’s largest free, annual celebration of public art. Diversity and inclusiveness are key factors in the mural festival’s ethic.

Most of the participating artists are local, with a diverse range of experience in the visual arts (such as painting, animation and graphic design). The festival is also mindful to involve artists from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. About 30% of the murals are done by international artists.

“Public art is kind of like a gauge for how healthy a city is from a creative culture standpoint…”- Jeff Hamada, Vancouver guest curator/ founder of Booooooom.com

In addition to murals, the festival includes a massive Street Party which transforms 15 streets and alleys into an open-air celebration with music, an art markets, beer gardens, and food trucks, graffiti and skateboard jam, and dance battles.