Scholarship Program Overview

YVRAF, in collaboration with corporate sponsors, offers an art scholarship to First Nations youth who wish to develop their artistic potential in traditional Northwest Coast art.

The YVRAF scholarship reinforces the values of the Foundation by recognizing British Columbia's young First Nations artists -- ensuring youth with artistic potential receive training and skill development in visual media. It also serves to support youth in creating Northwest Coast art forms suitable for display in public buildings.

The late Bill Reid, the first patron of the Foundation, expressed his concern that if the quality of Northwest Coast art is to flourish and evolve, artists must learn the fundamental skills of Northwest Coast art early in their artistic careers.

These scholarships provide not only fundamental training but also hope and encouragement to talented youth. It could make the difference in turning artistic potential into promising careers.  Frank O'Neill, Honourary Chair

The YVRAF Board desires to provide more than just scholarship funding to award recipients. It hopes to provide them with inspiration, contacts, exposure to the art community and ongoing support, during the award year and beyond.

Twenty five scholarships have been awarded during the first five years of the program.