The Garden’s Board and staff are committed to working toward our mission and vision and are guided by our strategic priorities.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to promote cultural understanding through cultural experience.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to maintain and enhance the bridge of understanding between Chinese Canadian cultural heritage and Canada’s diverse cultural mosaic through the tranquil space of a classical Chinese garden.
Strategic Priorities
The Garden is more than a physical asset. At its core the Garden is a cultural hub for learning and cultural exchange. The Board and Staff at the Garden are driven to creating work class cultural education programs for students and adults centered on our history, community, and conservation work.
Additionally the Garden works toward supporting local artists through our expanding Artist in Residence program that aims to bring together established and emerging artists in cross-cultural and intergenerational collaborations and exhibitions.
Learn more about our cultural education programs.
As caretakers to a unique architectural and cultural heritage asset in the city of Vancouver, the Garden’s staff and Board are committed to protecting this space for many generations to come. Respect for this space, and the important history it represents for our community, are central in all the work that we do.
Learn more about our recent and upcoming conservation projects.
We view our duty in protecting this unique cultural asset to encompass more than simply protecting and preserving the physical space. Our responsibility in working to conserve and protect the Garden for future generation includes working to safeguard our unique intangible cultural heritage.
The work the Garden does in collaboration with our community partners is a fundamental component of our daily operations, and helps us work toward our mandate of building cultural connections.
We work regularly with community groups, festivals, and partners based throughout Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside in various ways, whether simply as a venue, a collaborator, or a core partner.
Learn more about our recent collaborations and community partnerships.
OUR RECENT COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
BEYOND PENDER
In collaboration with the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia, Heritage Vancouver Society, the Garden conducted public outreach and education regarding people-centred approaches towards sustaining and cultivating living heritage in Chinatown.
DRAGON BOAT BC
The Garden is honoured to be involved as an educational partner in the upcoming Dragon Boat Legacy Exhibition celebrating the Community, Culture, and Competition of Dragon Boating in British Columbia.
PRIDE IN CHINATOWN
As a founding partner, the Garden team collaborates annually with the Pride in Chinatown to bring this loud and proud celebration to Chinatown.
360 RIOTS
The Garden is proud to partner with Vancouver artist Henry Tsang on the development of the 360º Video Interpretive Walking Tour of 1907 Riots. An online platform that examines the 1907 riots through Vancouver’s Chinatown and Japantown neighbourhoods, the context behind them, and their impact.
VILLA CATHAY
In honour of one of the Garden’s architects, the late Joe Wai, the Garden is working in collaboration with our partners and community to raise $10.000 to support Villa Cathay’s recovery efforts.
STRATHCONA CULTURAL WALKING TOURS
The Garden is proud to participate in this community-led tour, an initiative that aims to bring awareness to the contributions of early immigrant communities, and the rich layered history of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods.
