The Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists was founded in 2002 to establish an endowment fund, the interest from which would fund ongoing visual arts enrichment opportunities for the children of British Columbia. The endowment is held and managed by the Vancouver Foundation. The Foundation’s role has evolved to include the presentation of a diverse and accessible range of visual arts programming and the curation of high-profile exhibitions at the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art. We spoke with Meredith Preuss, Executive Director of The Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists to learn more.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
The Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists funds arts education for children and youth through Artists for Kids (AFK) and advances public engagement with Canadian art through the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art in North Vancouver. We raise philanthropic support to keep high-quality, artist-led programs accessible to students, and to curate exhibitions and learning experiences that welcome the wider community into the Gallery.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Arts education is often treated as “optional” in school budgets, which means too many students miss out on meaningful creative learning—especially those facing financial or systemic barriers. We exist to close that gap by funding equitable, hands-on arts learning with professional artists and BC-certified art educators, and by creating welcoming pathways for young people and families to engage with art in a public gallery setting.
When did you start/join it?
I started in this role in 2021, but I’ve been involved with the organization since 2019
What made you want to get involved?
This program is unlike anything else in the country. For 37 years, Artists for Kids has been a national leader in artist-led arts education—nurturing creativity, building confidence, and supporting lifelong outcomes for students. Through hands-on learning with professional artists and BC-certified art educators, young people gain tools to navigate an ever-evolving world.
I also have a personal connection: as a child, I attended Artists for Kids classes and participated in the Artists in Residence program, so the organization has always held a place in my heart. Later, as I was finding my footing in the art world (and eventually becoming a parent), I kept hearing from people across different communities that galleries could feel intimidating or inaccessible. It made me realize how important it is not only to offer high-quality art education for kids, but also to build a sense of comfort and belonging in cultural spaces—where art can inspire awe and sometimes even discomfort. I wanted to be part of changing that, and supporting Artists for Kids is one of the most direct ways to do it.
What was the situation like when you started?
Artists for Kids had already spent decades delivering transformative art education programs and building a collection of over 1,000 Canadian artworks. The Smith Foundation was established in 2012 to provide long-term, sustainable funding for Artists for Kids and, more recently, to support the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art. The organization had experienced tremendous success prior to my joining, including a growing endowment and the campaign to build the Gallery.
How has it changed since?
When I stepped into the role in 2021, we were at a transition point coming out of the pandemic. That period created an opportunity to rebuild momentum and reintroduce the Gallery to the community with renewed purpose. Working with our Board and the Artists for Kids team, we strengthened our approach to public programming and stewardship—and we launched the Brilliance Gala & Auction to raise essential funds for Artists for Kids and Gordon Smith Gallery programs, while creating a signature gathering where artists, patrons, and community supporters can come together around a shared belief in arts education.
What more needs to be done?
While more people recognize the value of arts education—supporting learning outcomes, confidence, and visual and media literacy—the funding landscape still echoes what it was in 1989, when Artists for Kids was launched by North Vancouver educators and artists Gordon Smith, Jack Shadbolt, and Bill Reid to address chronic shortfalls in arts education support. We’re focused on growing our endowment so Artists for Kids funding keeps pace with inflation and remains accessible regardless of a family’s economic circumstances. Public funding represents only a small portion of the Foundation’s annual budget, so philanthropic support remains essential to sustaining and expanding this work.
How can our readers help?
● Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a Gordon Smith limited edition print.
● Spread the word by sharing our campaign and inviting friends who care about kids, creativity, and community impact.
Do you have any events coming up?
We’re looking ahead to our spring exhibition: One Hundred Artists Deep, running April 10 to June 20, 2026, curated by Andrea Valentine-Lewis (Curatorial Fellow). In this exhibition, eight local artists were invited to create new work in response to artworks from the Artists for Kids Collection by AFK founders Jack Shadbolt (1909–1998), Gordon Smith (1919–2020), and Bill Reid (1920–1998)—artists who left enduring legacies not only through their practices, but through their deep commitment to arts education.
Where can we follow you?
Smith Foundation | Smith Gala | Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
We’re a stronger arts community when we support each other. I love cheering on organizations like Arts Umbrella, the Polygon Gallery, the Audain Art Museum, the Vancouver Art Gallery, Ballet BC, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the many incredible arts organizations and community initiatives that make Vancouver such a vibrant place to live.
