Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Audain Foundation
Overview of Available Grants and Funding
Private charitable foundation established in 1997 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Provides grants, scholarships, chairs, fellowships, endowments, and capital projects supporting visual arts and wildlife conservation in BC. Administers the prestigious Audain Prize for the Visual Arts ($100,000) and Travel Awards for students. View Audain Foundation's website for more information.
Content last updated: March 8, 2026
List of grants and funding offered by Audain Foundation
1 opportunities available
Grant and FundingOpen
Wildlife Conservation
Supports wildlife habitat protection and ecosystem connectivity projects in British Columbia.
About Audain Foundation
What is the mission of Audain Foundation?
To support the development of British Columbian artists and foster greater appreciation of the visual arts in BC and beyond, while also protecting and conserving wildlife in British Columbia's land and surrounding waters to ensure healthy ecosystems.
What type of organization is Audain Foundation?
Audain Foundation is a Foundation.
When was Audain Foundation founded?
Audain Foundation was founded in 1997.
What is Audain Foundation's official website?
Audain Foundation's official website is https://audainfoundation.com/.
What else should I know about Audain Foundation?
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.