Creativity in Full Colour: Arts Umbrella Launches Fall 2025 Programs
As the leaves begin to turn and a new school year begins, Arts Umbrella is once again opening its doors to young artists across Metro Vancouver with a robust lineup of Fall 2025 programs. A leader in arts education for youth ages 2 to 22, Arts Umbrella continues to champion creativity, curiosity, and confidence through high-quality classes in visual arts, dance, theatre, music, and film.
A New Season of Creativity
Fall session programs officially begin on September 15 and run through December 14, with registration having opened earlier this summer. Families can expect a broad selection of age-appropriate and skill-building programs at both the Granville Island and Surrey Centre campuses, with bursaries and scholarships ensuring that accessibility remains central to Arts Umbrella’s mission.
Programs for Every Young Artist
This fall, young artists can dive into Art & Design classes ranging from playful early learning sessions to more advanced drawing, painting, sculpture, and media arts for teens. Meanwhile, the Dance program continues its tradition of excellence, welcoming students into both general and pre-professional streams under the guidance of accomplished faculty. Students interested in performance can explore Theatre, Music & Film, where acting, improv, voice, and even filmmaking come to life in studios and on stage – including the organization’s in-house Jack and Darlene Poole Theatre.
Spotlight: Art Exchange Program
One of the highlights of the fall is Art Exchange, a yearlong scholarship program for teens ages 13 to 15 in partnership with the Vancouver Art Gallery. Running from October to June, the program offers a unique opportunity for students to deepen their artistic voice while engaging in critical discussions around contemporary art. Applications are open now, with a deadline of September 29 at 8:00 AM.
Extending Creativity Beyond the Studio
Arts Umbrella’s commitment to equity in the arts extends far beyond its studio walls. Through community initiatives such as Creative Journeys, school groups are invited to participate in immersive, curriculum-connected arts experiences. In Surrey, after-school programs like the Nancy Chan Creative Horizons Program offer free evening classes for teens, covering visual arts, acting for film, and more.
A Cultural Cornerstone for Vancouver Families
Located in a vibrant, purpose-built facility on Granville Island since 2021, Arts Umbrella continues to be a cultural cornerstone for Vancouver’s creative youth. Each year, more than 20,000 young people engage with its programs, with nearly three-quarters receiving some form of financial assistance.
As families gear up for fall, Arts Umbrella remains a place where passion and possibility meet – and where the next generation of artists, designers, performers, and creators can find their voice.
For more information about Arts Umbrella’s Programs read below:
This post is sponsored by Arts Umbrella
Founded in 1979, Arts Umbrella is a non-profit organization that nurtures creativity in children ages 2-22 through programs in Art & Design, Dance, Theatre, Music, and Film. With locations in Vancouver and Surrey, it reaches nearly 20,000 students annually, with 77% participating at little to no cost, inspiring young people to become confident, creative, and compassionate citizens.
