Federation of Canadian Artists
Canada’s largest Non-Profit Visual Arts Service Organization
Founded in 1941 by members of the Group of Seven, the Federation exists today to support and promote emerging and established visual artists. We do this through the provision of education, exhibition, and networking opportunities.
The Federation Gallery has been on Granville Island since 1993 and hosts between 20-24 in-gallery exhibitions annually, with additional online-only exhibitions. That’s more exhibitions annually than any other art gallery in Canada.
The Federation prides itself on standards. We are governed by a board of artists and art enthusiasts and have a Standards Committee to ensure that artists are challenging themselves to improve in their practice.
The Federation has four levels of membership: Supporting, Exhibiting, Associate (AFCA), and Signature (SFCA). Supporting membership is open to everyone who wants to support our charity. Exhibiting, AFCA, and SFCA are juried memberships. To obtain them, artists must meet certain criteria, have a track record of involvement in our exhibitions, and present portfolios of artwork to be juried by a panel of peers.
In addition to our gallery on Granville Island, we have 14 Chapters across BC, Alberta, and Ontario that operate as groups under our umbrella. They host their own exhibitions, classes, and workshops.
Volunteer Program Philosophy
Dedicated volunteers are essential to the FCA’s success. We rely on volunteers for many aspects of our daily operations, events, and campaigns, as we are committed to providing opportunities for community involvement.
The FCA offers a variety of roles at different levels, including gallery operations, event coordination, communications, arts administration, and more. By contributing your time and skills, you can make a significant impact on the contemporary art community.
We prioritize the physical and mental well-being of our volunteers. The FCA is committed to maintaining a safe and comfortable work environment and accommodating volunteers' needs as much as possible.