The Public Piano Project is a not-for-profit initiative that began in 2009 with a simple idea: place pianos in public so that anyone, regardless of background, age, or ability, could sit down and play. But from the start, it was about more than just music; it’s a celebration of music, art, and shared community space.

Each piano is transformed into a work of art by local community groups and artists. Through painting and design, these groups bring their stories, cultures, and creativity to life, adding beauty to the public space and giving communities a sense of pride and ownership in the process.

From Maple Ridge to Squamish, from the top of Grouse Mountain to Main and Hastings downtown, we’ve installed pianos throughout the Lower Mainland and everywhere in between. Each one becomes more than a musical instrument: it’s a gathering place, a stage, a canvas, and a moment of connection.

This project is made possible through the support of municipalities, local governments, community organizations, artists, donors, and volunteers. Whether it’s securing a location, creating artwork, tuning a piano, or simply sitting down to play, every act of participation adds to the project’s meaning.

The vision is simple but powerful: to make music and art accessible to everyone and to create moments of joy and connection in our everyday lives. For Sean Pacey, who first introduced public pianos to Vancouver, the goal was to create a more inclusive and uplifting city where people from all walks of life could share a universal language: music and love. The Public Piano Project belongs to all of us. Thank you for playing your part.