FUSE

Fuse is overrated. It’s not too bad but not anywhere close to stellar at all. Line up was huge for entrance, coat check and even if you want to buy ticket. They could easily double the counter and move the crowd faster, but it probably is their strategy to promote and show others that Fuse is popular. Good thing is the entire gallery is open and rooftop live music makes it relaxing. I would appreciate if shows were interactive. I appreciate there were enough volunteers and staffs to guide direction so you are not late for show. Quality of shows vary as with the artist and audiences point of interests. Some shows are to me, lame yet long line up to get in. They definitely should do something about the line up. I found the main level bar not so attractive and café is another pain in the a** when all you want to buy is a bottle of water, line up is 10−30minutes, not worthy.

Sent email with a complaint. Was received and forwarded somewhat promptly. Money refunded onto visa. Classy!

I really do appreciate the gallery trying to put on swanky, fun events to engage adults, but this was very poorly executed. It began with a 45 minute line to enter, even for those who had tickets. The level of disorganization was incredibly high. Then upon entering their is a line to purchase drink tickets, around ten minutes or so. And then you turn around and wait in another line to get your drinks for another 50 minutes. By the time it was my turn, they were all out of wine. I feel bad for the staff because the level of disorganization is definitely just poor event planning and management. I really wanted to enjoy this drink, but even though I arrived at 930PM, I was unable to see any art as they closed at midnight and getting in and getting a drink took me til 1145PM. I highly recommend taking your money and going across the street to either the Hotel Vancouver or Georgia for a nice drink and some comfortable service.

What an incredibly boring event! Another pathetic attempt at the VAG to drum up money and offer little or nothing!

fun fun fun ! You’re surrounded by art, cool people, amazing performers and live music, what’s not to like? oh yes, the line up ! Even if you have gotten tickets in advance, there is always a line up to get in because on fuse nights the museum usually fills up to capacity and you have to wait for people to leave before you can get in. But once you’re in, it’s worth the wait !
I wouldn’t pay the regular price just for the art gallery because I do think it is overpriced for what it is, especially when compared to other galleries and museums around the country and in the states. But this review is purely for the FUSE event. For under $ 20 you get to experience the art gallery in a fun way and that to me was totally worth it. All three levels were open — some precious art work is usually blocked off or taken away before this event. They usually have live performances every half hour and they are all very entertaining, you just have to make sure you are in a good spot before it all starts !
The third floor usually has a DJ and starts t resemble a night club as the night goes on, and on the first floor, the art gallery café turns into a venue for live music. There was a lot of things of explore and enjoy during the event, I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something different to do on a friday night :)
Although the café is open and food and drinks are available inside, i would recommend eating dinner before getting here since the lineup for the café is also insanely long.

I love the gallery. Keep up the good work!

I think if you need a rave review of FUSE you should really read Claudia’s poem. In fact if you have this review pales in comparison, but here ya have it:
We arrived for 8:30, when the event started, with the intention of heading in, grabbing a drink, wandering around and seeing some art. Much to our surprise the gallery was already full. The Art Gallery allows members to bring non-​members to a pre-​FUSE event at 6:30, well that filled the place.
After waiting about 20 – 25 minutes in the cold we finally got in and checked our coats. The place was hopping. There was a long line for coats and an even longer line to get up into the gallery.
We wandered around on the first couple floors and then head up to the third for a dance show and oh my, am I ever glad we did. These three guys, two were clearly young teens and one a bit older danced for easily half an hour the most amazing break dancing I’ve ever seen in person. Incredible talent.
The show was good, I never spend much time with the art at FUSE because it’s always very crowded but I’ll go back to see the art.
The crowd at this most recent FUSE was strange, I don’t mean that in a judgmental way, it was just a different crowd. Loud, pushy, aggressive, rude. If this is the new face of the membership I won’t spend much time at these events, but I’m hoping it was a one time experience.

This was my third Fuse event and have to say it was the best I’ve been to yet. Must that @VanObserver for picking me to win tickets first. It was a beats nation plus native art theme and they delivered. Performers were very captivating and unlike other fuse events, the performances were not too interpretive or high art for the crowd to connect with. The vibe was fun and on this rainy day capping a rainy week, people wanted something to feel alive. The Djs were great, Nina Mendoza dropped a perfect variety of tunes to make that room bump and put people in a great mood. It’s always sad when the parties end at 1230. On this night it was all worth it and every time I keep forgetting about the cheap drinks — $ 4 wine and beer.

I absolutely LOVE fuse! They definitely fluctuate based on what is being displayed, but I think it is always a good time. We are young associates so we don’t wait in line, entrance is free and we get a free drink each, yes, I loveeee fuse. My favorite after fuse is to hit up Lucy’s diner for late night eats… Mmmmmm.

For the price I would be just as happy to go to the gallery any time. Too busy to see most performances and as others have said they are missing having drinks only in the café. No need for me to attend again but was okay to go to once.

I agree with the visitor from SJ. It was a big rip off. Pretty inside, but the art was average and so were the performances. $ 22.50 a pop, really?
The Getty in LA is FREE and no museum in NY with quality art, (where even Vancouver photographer Jeff Wall’s work was exhibited) charges that much. And let’s face it, you can hardly compare the two cities’ galleries in that respect.
Quite disappointing, to say the least.
It was as pristine as any museum should be but that’s about it. Doubt I’ll be visiting for another 14 years, even if to see something different. It seems that the artists I know are in no rush to return, either.
I would almost rather save my money to go South for a better exhibit.
No wonder rioting seems to be the activity of choice these days (sigh).

I buy a membership to the VAG every year just so i can go to FUSE. That being said it get’s so busy sometimes that it becomes a pain. Trying to see performances in the middle stairwell become a bit to cozy.
Get dressed up, or dress down since that’s arty too. All ages groups seem to fit in here. They only thing that is missing is the booze in the actual gallery.
A gallery needs to be interactive and incorporate all the arts, and Fuse does this very successfully.

this is for the Vancouver Art Gallery exhibition.
We visited this art gallery around sept 12 — just after the french impressionists had closed and the gallery was getting ready for new exhibitions. from the usual 5 or 6 floors only 1.5 floors were open with very mediocre art work. The gallery still charged the full price which is like a BIG rip-​off. i feel very sorry that Vancouver treats its tourists and residents this way. I wonder where all the money goes they collect from all the parking tickets?
Clearly this treatment does not fit an otherwise very beautiful city.
In contrast I was very happy when i visited last week the De Young museum in SF.

I’m not going to lie — it only gets four stars tonite @ FUSE because of 1– the fact that I love Impressionistic art, and 2– I had good company. Maybe i got there early (before 8pm) and the DJ had not fully set up as it was supposed to commence at 9pm. There was a comedic performance on the fourt floor where four individuals would make up voices for the muted TV which was quite funny. There were tours going on where I stopped to listen with my friends and learned a little about positioning and status.
The lounge was difficult to find and we stumbled into the café thinking it was the lounge when it was not. However, the desserts were pretty cheap and I had a tiramisu to share ($ 3.95) and a half litre of chardonnay ($ 15). The lounge is actually directly on the right upon entering the art gallery and once we finally got there, it was packed. Make sure you buy drink tickets before purchasing your drinks. Wine was only $ 4 for a mini plastic champagne glass and the music was bursting. but I don’t think it was meant to attract dancers as everyone was mingling with one another.
Overall a good night — make sure you bring friends with you… makes it worth your visit!

Usually held on the fourth Friday of every month (this is contingent on the calendar year), Fuse is the Vancouver Art Gallery’s monthly celebration. On the menu are performances, live musical acts and, well, let’s not forget the art.
Fuse is a good way to help cultivate Vancouver’s growing art scene and attract younger crowds. Always fun, always entertaining. FUSE is an excellent way to support the arts.

On the fourth Friday of every month, the Vancouver Art Gallery hosts Fuse, featuring alternative performance and music groups along with the art. Slam poets, Battery Opera (performance art opera), and Scrap Arts Music (think Stomp) have already made the rounds. It’s just $ 10, and a great place to grab a martini with friends or a date. You’ll find tons more info at
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On select Friday evenings throughout the year, the Vancouver Art Gallery stays open late (sometimes all night) and the gallery turns into a performance art venue, a music venue and a social event. Attempting to reach younger gallery-​goers and draw them in to enjoy Vancouver’s growing arts scene, the Vancouver Art Gallery has jumped on the gallery as see-​and-​be-​seen event bandwagon, and the result is a mixture of creative fun and unexpected artistic surprises. The atmosphere at FUSE tends to be youthful and hip without being too hip; it’s a kind of friendly version of the salon, a West Coast take on New York, sort of. Not all of the art that’s on show is always excellent, but that’s not the point. The point is that it’s an exciting event and a good way for the Vancouver Art Gallery to showcase some local talent and to draw in a big crowd.