Ads
Description
Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival 2026
The 10th annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival is a free, community-focused celebration of artists working outside mainstream art institutions. Presented by the Community Arts Council of Vancouver at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, it brings together artists, art lovers, friends, and neighbours to experience the creativity and diversity of this year’s participating artists. More than 400 artworks go on display in the exhibition hall, offering a vibrant look at the many perspectives, stories, and creative worlds on show. More than an opening night, it’s an invitation to step beyond convention and see art in its many unexpected, personal, and powerful forms.
- When: Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Friday 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Saturday 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Where: Exhibition Hall, Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2W3
- Cost: Free and open to everyone
- Hosted by: Community Arts Council of Vancouver
- Website: Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival
Opening Event
Friday, October 16, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Doors at 5:30 PM
Be among the first to explore the more than 400 artworks in the exhibition hall. Speeches are followed by an Indigenous Welcome and a performance by Yewchi, a Vancouver-based guitarist, singer, composer, and recording artist whose music draws from roots, bluegrass, folk, jazz, blues, and improvisational traditions. The opening is free and open to everyone. Find out more about the Opening Event.
Performances
The festival’s performing artists include Kagan Goh, Kimberly Ihekwoaba, Lemon Ham Productions, Mars, Stephen Lytton, Sunny Daydream, and Yewchi. The drag and live performance trio Lemon Ham Productions is scheduled for Saturday, October 17.
Visual Artists
The 2026 exhibition features work by:
Alex Reeder, angel gunn, Badger, Big Zell, Chantelle Yeung, Dogpiled, Gabrielle Parent, Hong Yu Casey Chan, Isabella Medalle, J Peachy, Jacqueline Primeau, Kevin Wong, Kim Brake, Lau A., Lora Szostak, LUGOCID, Matia, Miokinon, Peter Ricq, Robby Garcia, Sandi Bassett, Sarah del Valle, Sarah McNeil, Sarb Glaze, Sofia Hernandez, Sophia Funk, Thom Lu, and Wenqing Tan.
Art Groups
- Alternative Creations Studio
- Connection Salon
- MPA Society
Inclusive Curatorial Committee
This year’s artists were selected by the 2026 Inclusive Curatorial Committee: LeiGh Press, Charlie Sandeman, Taja De Silva, Annika Walsh, Sepideh Habibnattaj, Vida Mehin, A. Cisneros, and Pierre Leichner.