North Shore Culture Compass

This past spring, North Van Arts launched the North Shore Culture Compass, a digital catalogue of the cultural, artistic and historic institutions, and destinations found in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the region’s Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

Just in time for summer exploration, this free online platform encourages local residents and tourists alike to discover and connect with the arts, heritages and stories of the North Shore (British Columbia, Canada). From museums to natural places, annual festivals to art galleries, the map encompasses the cultural diversity of the region.

“The North Shore Culture Compass will help define what North Shore culture is today by making culture more visible and convenient to access, fostering collaborations and encouraging a better understanding of our shared home,” said Nancy Cottingham Powell, Executive Director of North Van Arts.

This form of cultural mapping is recognized globally as playing an important role in sustainable development, connecting us with our pasts, our homes and each other through stories, events, and opportunities for self-exploration and expression. By building awareness of local culture, we can take steps to preserve what is important to us and share it with future generations.

With the support of the North Shore community, the Culture Compass currently features more than 400 listings of regional points of cultural and historic significance. Listings are searchable by keyword and organized into 10 distinct categories. The app includes a First Nations category, which pinpoints places, stories, events, customs and traditions that represent the culture of local First Nations.

Start exploring: northshoreculturecompass.ca