Role in the Funding Ecosystem
The Audain Foundation is a major private philanthropic organization in British Columbia, dedicated to advancing visual arts and wildlife conservation. Founded in 1997 by Michael Audain and Yoshiko Karasawa, the Foundation has become one of Canada's most significant benefactors in the arts sector.
Funding Programs
The Foundation supports qualified donees through multiple mechanisms: grants, scholarships, endowed chairs and fellowships, capital projects, and art acquisition funds. Key programs include the Audain Prize for the Visual Arts (a $100,000 annual award, one of Canada's most prestigious visual arts honours), and the Audain Travel Awards providing five annual grants to fine arts students at partner institutions.
Visual Arts Focus
In visual arts, the Foundation focuses on education (arts education programs, emerging artist development, curatorial research), visual arts initiatives (exhibitions, publications, public programs), and place/space (museums, galleries, artist residencies primarily in the Lower Mainland and BC Capital region).
Wildlife Conservation Focus
The Foundation supports wildlife conservation through habitat protection and connectivity, human-wildlife coexistence initiatives, and wildlife food abundance programs. Priority areas include rewilding, protected area management, critical habitat protection, and scientific research combined with Indigenous knowledge.
Institutional Impact
The Foundation has founded or significantly supported numerous institutions including the Audain Art Museum (Whistler), The Polygon Gallery (North Vancouver), the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation, and the Grizzly Bear Foundation. Major endowed positions have been created at UBC, UVic, Emily Carr University, SFU, the National Gallery of Canada, and other major institutions.
