DVF 2026 Theme: Build

Design Vancouver Festival returns this September with a city-wide invitation to experience design up close. Under the theme BUILD, the best response to uncertain times is to build something stronger together.

Design is not just something we admire. It impacts how we live, connect, and belong. Through Open Studios, building tours, talks, exhibitions, and gatherings, DVF connects the public with the people behind the work, while creating real pathways for students and emerging designers to step in, meet the industry, and be seen.

DVF is a curated festival focused on design disciplines and design-led topics. Submissions must be design-related.

DVF 2026 FESTIVAL OVERVIEW

Key Dates

• Application and registration fee due: June 5, 2026

• Participant marketing toolkit available: September 1, 2026

• Festival dates: September 17–27, 2026

  
  

  
  

Who Can Participate

Designers, studios, architects, landscape architects, educators, students, organizations, brands, collectives, cultural institutions, and collaborators working in any design-related discipline. We invite all members of the design community to curate and host events as part of DVF.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome proposals that:

• Invite the public into design, process, and making

• Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing

• Build connection across disciplines and neighbourhoods

• Support students and emerging designers with real access and visibility

• Highlight local practice and emerging talent

• Contribute something meaningful to Vancouver’s design culture

Event Formats (See examples here: DVF 24' Recap)

• Open Studios (More Details)

• Building tours or landscape tours, including behind-the-scenes site tours

• Talks, panels, lectures

• Workshops (hands-on, skill-based, community learning)

• Exhibitions, installations, screenings

• Mentorship sessions and portfolio reviews (especially student-forward)

• Social gatherings that support connection (with a clear design focus)

Key Requirements

To be included in DVF, your event must:

• DVF is focused on design disciplines and design-led topics

• Events should be intentionally programmed as part of DVF, not submitted as promotional listings for existing or ongoing programming.

• Take place within the DVF festival dates, September 17–27, 2026

• All events must take place within the City of Vancouver

• Events can be free or ticketed but must be accessible to a public audience

• Participants are responsible for hosting and producing their own events, including securing a venue and managing logistics

• Final event details must be provided on time to be included in festival promotion

What DVF Provides

Accepted events receive:

• Listing on the DVF Festival Calendar

• Promotion through DVF channels

• DVF brand assets and guidance for marketing

• DVF signage and poster for onsite use

Registration Fees

DVF has a registration fee for accepted events, scaled by organization size. This fee supports the administrative and design support required to coordinate listings, promotion, and participant communications. DVF is funded through registration fees and sponsorship.

• Solo designer or ad hoc collective: $250

• Small businesses (4–40 employees): $350

• Large businesses and institutions (40+ employees): $500

Curation and Refund Policy

• DVF is curated. Submitting does not guarantee acceptance. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis weekly.

• Not all submissions can be accepted into the festival due to capacity.

• If a project does not meet our artistic guidelines and is declined, DVF will notify the applicant and refund the registration fee in full.

• If you withdraw before June 5, 2026, we will refund your fee minus a $50 administration fee. After June 5, 2026, fees are non-refundable.
  
  

Before you submit
DVF is a curated festival. Email us a short summary before submitting. hello@designvancouver.org. We’re happy to help guide placement.

• What it is (format: talk, workshop, open studio, tour, etc.)

• Where it will happen

• Your preferred date during the festival

• Who it’s for (public, students, industry, mixed)
  
  

Ready to submit?
EVENT SUBMISSION FORM