The Burnaby Festival of Learning exists because of the generosity, creativity, and commitment of our partners. We are deeply grateful to the libraries, post-secondary institutions, community organizations, small businesses, and independent artists who collaborate with us year-round to bring free, experiential learning to everyone in our community.
Our festival is built on a simple belief: that learning thrives when diverse voices and institutions work together. By pooling resources, expertise, and passion, we create programming that would be impossible for any single organization to deliver alone. This collaborative model is at the heart of everything we do.
Why Partnership Matters
The Burnaby Festival of Learning reaches thousands of community members each year because we have partners who share our vision. Libraries provide welcoming public spaces and bring their deep connections to neighbourhoods. Post-secondary institutions contribute research expertise, student talent, and access to specialized facilities. Community organizations bring lived experience and cultural knowledge. Small businesses and independent artists contribute creativity, innovation, and fresh perspectives.
Together, we create something far greater than the sum of our parts. A single partner might host a workshop. Multiple partners collaborating might create an entire day of interconnected learning experiences that explore a theme from every angle—scientific, artistic, practical, and personal.
Our Partner Categories
Public Libraries are essential anchors for the festival. They offer accessible, trusted spaces in communities across Burnaby. Libraries bring audiences, infrastructure, and a commitment to lifelong learning that aligns perfectly with our mission. Whether hosting hands-on workshops, talks, or tours, libraries help us reach families, students, seniors, and everyone in between.
Post-Secondary Institutions bring world-class expertise and resources. Faculty members lead talks on cutting-edge research. Students facilitate hands-on science and technology workshops. Campus facilities—from maker spaces to gardens to performance halls—become classrooms for the community. These partnerships bridge the gap between academic knowledge and public curiosity, making complex topics accessible and engaging.
Community Organizations are the connective tissue of our city. They represent diverse populations, bring cultural knowledge, and understand the specific needs and interests of Burnaby's neighbourhoods. Environmental groups, arts collectives, heritage societies, youth organizations, and many others bring authentic voices and meaningful programming that reflects who we are as a community.
Small Businesses and Independent Artists bring innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy. They offer specialized skills—from pottery to coding to herbalism—and demonstrate the vibrant creative economy in Burnaby. Their involvement shows that learning is not confined to institutions; it happens everywhere, in every sector.
How Partnership Works
Our partners contribute in many ways:
- Hosting workshops, talks, tours, and hands-on sessions at their facilities
- Providing expert facilitators, instructors, and speakers
- Offering in-kind support such as space, equipment, or materials
- Helping promote the festival to their audiences and networks
- Collaborating on themed programming that spans multiple partners
- Providing feedback and guidance on what the community wants to learn
We work closely with each partner to understand their strengths, values, and goals. Some partners host a single event; others collaborate with us throughout the year. Some focus on a specific learning domain—arts, science, sustainability—while others span multiple areas. This flexibility allows us to build a festival that is truly responsive to our community.
The Value of Free, Public Programming
By working together, our partners make it possible to offer all programming free to the public. This is not a small thing. Free access removes barriers. It means a family without much disposable income can explore science with their children. A senior can discover a new hobby. A young person can explore a potential career path. A newcomer to Canada can connect with community and learn about local culture and environment.
Free programming also reflects our shared values. We believe learning is a public good. We believe knowledge and creativity belong to everyone, not just those who can afford to pay. We believe that when people learn together across differences of age, background, and experience, our entire community becomes stronger.
Become a Partner
Are you a library, institution, organization, business, or artist interested in partnering with us? We are always looking for collaborators who share our passion for accessible, experiential learning. Whether you want to host a workshop, lead a talk, facilitate a tour, or explore a creative collaboration, we would love to hear from you.
Partnering with the Burnaby Festival of Learning offers real benefits. You reach new audiences. You demonstrate your commitment to community learning. You connect with other organizations and artists doing meaningful work. You contribute to something larger than yourselves.
If you are interested in hosting an event or collaborating with us, please reach out. We look forward to working together to make learning accessible, engaging, and joyful for everyone in Burnaby.