“Artists need to learn the basic knowledge and skills of Northwest Coast Art if quality is to be maintained and evolution of the art is to flourish.”
- Bill Reid

Established in 1994, the YVR Art Foundation (YVRAF) exists to encourage the development of First Nations art in British Columbia. Since 2004, it has given over $180,000 in scholarships to young artists, and the previous years' final projects can be seen throughout the YVR airport. The YVRAF is also currently considering other ways to help First Nations Artists of all ages.

The First Nations of British Columbia have rich and artistic have intricate artistic traditions that have been part of their fabric of life for millennia. In the last sixty years, dozens of outstanding artists have kept that tradition not only alive, but thriving and developing. Today, Canada numbers artists like Bill Reid, Beau Dick, Susan Point, Joe David, Dempsey Bob among the great artists of our times.

The YVRAF is proud to work with the heirs of these rich traditions, and to do its part in helping these traditions to flourish and in introducing them to the general public.

Note: As of 2012, the YVRAF is no longer involved in the purchasing or maintenance of permanent public art at YVR airport. For information on art at the YVR airport, please contact the Vancouver Airport Authority.