Victoria: Culture by the Coast
As BC’s capital city, Victoria blends old-world charm with contemporary creativity. From stately museums and historic theatres to bustling galleries and public art installations, Victoria is a year-round destination for cultural discovery.
Explore the Royal BC Museum, stroll through artist-run spaces in Fernwood or Chinatown, or connect with Indigenous and local creators at markets and cultural centres. Whether you’re on a self-guided art tour or visiting for a festival, Victoria offers a vibrant, oceanfront arts experience like no other.
Situated in the southern end of Vancouver Island, Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. Art in Victoria thrives in various venues, with the city’s main art attraction being the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. The gallery is located just 20 minutes from downtown Victoria and is the largest public art gallery on Vancouver Island. The exhibitions include historical and contemporary art as well as an Asian collection. The gallery gift shop features beautiful crafts by local artisans that can be purchased or rented. The Flux Media Gallery exhibits innovative media artworks by local, national, and international media artists and acts as a gathering place for exchanging ideas. Other notable art galleries include the Merrick Gallery, Madrona Gallery, and Mark Loria Gallery. The Royal BC Museum is another significant part of the art culture in Victoria. It’s the largest museum in BC and was ranked the number one museum in Canada on TripAdvisor. The gallery at the museum features works from coastal forests to the depths of the North Pacific.
