School Programs

BAG’s outreach programs are designed to bring original artwork and art supplies right into your classrooms! 

We offer in-person and virtual programs that fit into your curriculum needs and class times. Available for booking between October and June.

To book an Outreach Program, fill out an booking form and email it to [email protected].

Forest For The Trees

Mondays, October 16, 2023-June 17, 2024
Grades K-7
Art Education, Ecology, Indigenous Art

Explore the world of landscape-inspired artwork through this engaging program. Using the forms of trees, waterways and mountains, students discuss ideas of landscape and place. Building on these ideas, participants use techniques of layering, colour mixing and collage to create a ‘forest’ of trees.

Coast Salish Contemporary

Tuesdays, October 17, 2023-June 18, 2024 
Grades 2-7
Indigenous Art, Community, Art Education

Referencing works from the City's Permanent Art Collection, participants explore the progression of themes and technique in contemporary Coast Salish art. Discussions on appropriation and use of copyrighted work will be discussed within this program. Students will finish the workshop by creating their own collograph print.

Creative Communities

Wednesdays, October 18, 2023-June 19, 2024
Grades 2-7
Art Education, Social Studies, Geography, Math, Design, STEAM

Explore community, local identity, and common ground through the lens of city park planning. Referencing works from the City's Permanent Art Collection, students collaboratively design and construct their own mini urban green space.

Tantalizing Tessellations: Exploring the Work of Dylan Thomas

Thursdays, October 19 2023- June 20, 2024
Grades 2-7
Art Education, Earth Science, Indigenous Art, Math, STEAM

Discover the interwoven worlds of math and art. Using tessellations as a foundation, each workshop explores the pattern making and mathematical elements of design work. Workshops examine the work of Dylan Thomas, a Coast Salish contemporary artist, and how he has connected math and geometry to his art practice.

Coastal Waters

Fridays, October 20, 2023-June 21,2024
Grades K-7 
Art Education, Earth Science, Indigenous Art

Join us in exploring the complexity of the BC coastline. Students are immersed in ideas of interconnection, ecosystems, water cycles and shoreline wildlife, inspired by works from City's Permanent Art Collection. Using watercolour, drawing and collage, students develop individual mixed-media works.

Fees

Part-day outreach (1.5 hour program)

Students are invited on an instructor-led tour through the current exhibition, followed by a hands-on art workshop. Participants learn how to engage with art using hands-on techniques, while developing observational and art-language skills.

To book a Gallery Tour, fill out an booking form and email it to [email protected].

Find out more about our current exhibition

Art & Me

October 13, 2023-June 2, 2024
Preschool and kindergarten 

This active tour is perfect for busy minds and bodies, introducing the world of art, artists and art galleries. Children learn about simple artistic concepts and are encouraged to express their ideas about the artwork verbally, physically and visually. In the studio, magic happens as kids experiment with creating lift prints.

Kindred Tracings

October 13, 2023-January 21, 2024
Art Education, Social Studies, Community, Language Arts

This exhibition brings together the work of Muriel Ahmarani Jaouich, Minahil Bukhari, Russna Kaur, and Michelle Sound as they explore lineages and language. Through diverse material practices, they respond to the languages and scripts of their ancestors – such as hieroglyphics and scripture – as a way to trace connections and bring voice and colour to the soundless.

Roy Henry Vickers

February 2-April 21, 2024
Community, Indigenous Art, Environment

The extensive printmaking practice of Roy Henry Vickers spans more than six decades. Vickers is a renowned Indigenous artist of Tsimshian, Haida, Heiltsuk, and English ancestry. This exhibition explores the imagery, stories, and lands at the heart of his work.

Fees

Days of the week available: Wednesdays and Thursdays. Program capacity varies.

Lesson planning is made easy with BAG in a Box!

Four unique educational kits are available, featuring original artwork by local artists, resource materials, art supplies and detailed lesson plans for theme-based art-making activities in your classroom.

Suitable for Grades K-7.
Available for booking October 1, 2023 to June 22, 2024.

To book BAG in a Box, fill out an booking form and email it to [email protected].

Anna's Printing Press

Find inspiration and explore artistic techniques, subjects and themes featured in the works of Chinese Canadian master printmaker, Anna Wong. These include nature prints, exercises in abstraction, travel themes, and mixed media projects.

The Printmaker’s Pets

Discover relief printmaking techniques, drawing and mixed-media, while exploring how printmakers portray cats, dogs, birds, and more.

Cultural Portraits

Investigate how an artist’s expression reflects their identity and culture and the role visual art plays in reflecting or challenging traditions.

Structures and Cities

Imagine, balance, construct, and combine materials to create an exciting mini-city. This program builds skills in architecture and design through a horizontal learning approach. Available January 2024.

Fees

Pick up on Saturdays, return on Fridays or Saturdays

The Burnaby Art Gallery offers a number of Career Placement opportunities for secondary students. 

For further information about these programs, please contact the programming department at 604-297-4858.

Artist Apprenticeship Program

Grade 11-12
January 12, 19, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 1, 8 and April 12, 2024 
9 am-3 pm
Free (participation required for all 9 sessions)

Open studio Tuesdays during January, February, March
2-5 pm
Free (optional)

Senior secondary students take on the role of a professional artist to create an exhibition in the gallery. Guided by practicing artists, curators, and programmers, students create artwork and learn how to develop and promote their show.  Volunteer hours accrued may be used towards career placement programs.

Arts Alive Career Placement

Grade 10-12
March-May 2024
Free

Arts Alive is an annual showcase of works by students held in collaboration with the Burnaby School District. This year’s exhibition highlights work by elementary students from across the city. The following career placement positions are available: Photo Documenter, Virtual Gallery Creator, and Label Management positions. In these positions, students learn behind-the-scene processes of developing an exhibition.

BAG Career Placement

Grade 10-12
September 2023-June 2024
Free

Our Career Placement positions offer experience in program delivery and community engagement in a professional art gallery setting. Highest availability is during summer and spring break, but hours and positions vary. Please call 604-297-4413 to find out more.

Burnaby Art Gallery can cater specific professional development of your staff's needs. Please contact us at 604-297-4422 to register or ask about additional offerings.

Out of the BAG

Learn more about our permanent collection by exploring our art modules designed for at home or at school creativity! 

Suitable for adults, families and schools using materials easily sourced.

Step Out of the BAG today! 

Arts Alive 2024

October 3, 24, November 14
4:30-5:30 pm
Free 

Teachers, come join us for a casual evening to learn more about our Arts Alive 2024 program. This year we will be welcoming Senior Secondary students to present works related to fashion and wearable art. This program is suitable for senior secondary students grades 8-12.

Artist Apprenticeship 2024

October 3, 24, November 14
5:30-6:30 pm
Free 

Teachers and Career Advisors, come join us for a casual evening to learn more about Artist Apprenticeship and how it can help guide teens looking to pursue careers in the arts. This program is suitable for Senior Secondary students in Grades 11 and 12.

Professional development workshops are offered through the year. Please contact us to book or ask about additional offerings.

Educators' Art Workshop

Monday, September 26 and January 16, 4:30-6:30 pm
$21.30 each night

Want to learn more about our school outreaches? Then join us for our Educator's Art Workshops. These relaxed evenings will feature an outreach workshop, light refreshments and a chance to talk with the BAG programming staff! To register please call 604-297-4422.