August 4-6, 2023

M usic and art lovers are in for a treat this summer as Vancouver USA Arts and Music Festival (VAMF) makes its debut downtown. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA (VSO) and the City of Vancouver are partnering to put on three days of world-class music, art, dance, food and fun at Esther Short Park— all accessible for free. “Everyone is invited to learn, explore and experience the joy of connecting with arts and culture, without the barrier of ticket prices or entrance fees,” says Stacey Donovan, City of Vancouver’s cultural services manager. Local musicians and even internationally known Grammy winners will perform live on outdoor stages, plus visual artists will participate as exhibitors and vendors. Also included in the event will be an acting workshop at Kiggins Theatre, an instrument petting zoo and other educational opportunities for kids, VSO performances, a youth art show and more. Other organizations supporting the festival include Columbia Arts Network, Vancouver Culture, Arts & Heritage Commission, Vancouver’s Downtown Association, Vancouver Farmers Market, Kiggins Theatre and Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

The event was conceived, says VSO executive director, Igor Shakhman, “as the result of an in-depth arts ecology study of the area by former Kennedy Center CEO Michael Kaiser and his team, commissioned by the Murdock Trust. As one of the outcomes of the study, Kaiser suggested a creation of a multidiscipline arts festival to unite Vancouver’s creative community, increase the visibility of arts and culture and elevate the city to an arts destination.”