Since 1904, Alliance Française Vancouver has been a cornerstone in promoting bilingualism and francophone cultures within the community. Under the leadership of Executive Director Damien Hubert, the nonprofit has recently unveiled a state-of-the-art, 30,000-square-foot cultural hub featuring an art gallery, theatre, classrooms, and more, overcoming previous limitations of space and accessibility. Committed to enriching human experience through education and intercultural exchange, the organization continues to expand its outreach with innovative programs and events. Community members can support their ongoing mission through various fundraising initiatives, ensuring that this vibrant gathering space continues to foster creativity and connection for years to come.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Alliance Française Vancouver is a nonprofit association actively promoting bilingualism and francophone cultures since 1904. We offer French language education programs for all ages and levels and organize cultural and community events in our new multi-disciplinary building.
What problem does it aim to solve?
-Enriching the human experience and understanding through bilingualism and intercultural exchanges
-Promoting the French language and francophone cultures, which occupy a special place in Canada
-Pursuing excellence in education
-Creating enjoyable multicultural experiences where the community may gather
When did you start/join it?
In 2014, I joined Alliance Francaise Vancouver to lead the building reconstruction project and develop the organization with innovative events and projects such as the integration of virtual reality. Previously, I had led other Alliance Française branches in Australia, Mexico, and Canada.
What made you want to get involved?
Promoting cultural diversity helps a better understanding between communities. Creating inclusive spaces where people can share their differences. Alliance Français can offer an environment that promotes Education, Culture and Community.
What was the situation like when you started?
AFV was suffering from limited space. The building was not accessible, too small, and not respecting safety codes.
How has it changed since?
We have finally opened our new building in July 2024, and we are delighted to be welcoming the public in this new community space, after nearly a decade of planning and preparation. The cultural facility is now a 30,000-square-foot community hub that includes an art gallery, 165-seat professional theatre, café & bistro, media library, multiple classrooms, artist studio space, and more.
What more needs to be done?
Our mission is for AFV to be a vital gathering space for creativity and community – a purpose that is everlasting and ongoing in our outreach to the greater public.
How can our readers help?
We launched a fundraising campaign for our new theatre, where anyone can name a theatre seat with a donation of $750.
More spaces in our new building are also available for naming (contact development@alliancefrancaise.ca)
All donations are welcome to help finance our cultural and community programs for the community. Anyone can donate to our non-profit by setting up a monthly or one-time payment.
Do you have any events coming up?
All of our cultural events can be found here.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
La Boussole is a Francophone non-profit organization based in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Its objective is to help Francophones in need to access vital social services; prioritizing access to health services, housing and employment services.
