Annual Report · “It is in the act of creativity that empowerment lies, and through sharing...
Transcript of Annual Report · “It is in the act of creativity that empowerment lies, and through sharing...
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AnnualReport
BOWEN ISLAND ARTS COUNCIL 2017-2018V
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Believe. It’s possible here.
A year of transition
WELCOME HOME CULTURAL PLANGALLERY OUR PEOPLEPROGRAMS DONORS & SUPPORTERS
From Artisan Square to the Cove Commons in Snug Cove, the 30 year-old nonprofit Arts Council is happy to have its own home.
We positively absolutely couldn’t do it without you.
Bowen’s community art gallery, now in its 21st year, is proud to showcase established and emerging creative entrepreneurs.
A cultural plan “should offer hope, ideas and opportunities.”
From youth to seniors, we offer an array of workshops, classes and opportunities to expand arts education and creative experiences.
Champions of the arts.
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“It is in the act of creativity that empowerment lies, and through sharing creativity that understanding is promoted.”
“Diversity, passion, self-expression, beauty, aspiration, transformation and prosperity are by-products of cultural vitality.”
For the Bowen Island Arts
Council, the past year was
peppered with landmarks. It
was a year of transitioning
from the old to the new.
It was about celebrating
the past and embracing
the future. Now in its
31st year of serving the
community, the organization
has come home to a new
space and place in the
hearts and minds of our
island community. Still a
small but fierce entity, the
arts council continues to
champion the arts on many
levels, through providing
leadership and delivery
of a myriad of services
and programs. This report
focuses on our past year’s
highlights and our activities
and accomplishments.
PERFORMANCE KNOWING OUR PLACE COMMUNITY CENTRE
We sing, we dance, we act out and we create memories that enhance everyone’s shared experience of being part of this talented community.
We are all artists here! And the arts council is dedicated to helping each of us explore possibilities for living deeper through creative expression.
Our dream is taking shape, and with the help of the community, and continued leadership from our Municipality, we can do it!
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The Grand Opening of the Cove
Commons was a remarkable day.
Hundreds of people assembled to
check out the new space, witness our
community’s achievement, and delight
in the camaraderie of a shared space. It
was our opportunity to say thank you
to so many folks for believing in and
supporting the collaborative project
between the Arts Council and the
Public Library.
THANK YOU BOWEN ISLAND!
Cove Commons Opens01
We raised $1 M, from the community and with assistance from our federal and federal governments to build the new public amenity. Thanks to an amazing Building Team, the project came in on time and on budget.
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artists. With six months operating from the Gallery @ Artisan Square and six months from the new space, we attracted approximately 8,500 visitors, up by approximately 1,000 from the previous year.
Gallery
Packing up and leaving the Gallery
@ Artisan Square, home for 20 years,
was bittersweet. So many people
hold so many cherished memories of
that space and place. Over the two
decades we spent there, installing
and presenting approximately 11
exhibits each year, we presented work
of approximately 4,000 artists. Over
that span, we welcomed about 150,000
people into the Gallery and sold over
$800,000 in art.
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SAYING GOODBYE & HONOURING THE PAST
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It was such a thrill to move into our brand new space, purpose built as a gallery.
With storage! And a lovely kitchen to prepare for our many receptions and special
occasions. We opened the doors just in time for our annual Mini-Gala exhibit and
fundraising party. The theme – Curtain Up – resounded with the thrill of moving into
our new home. We also raised $12,000 to go towards operational costs, extending
our hours and the number of days open each week. We expanded our gift shop,
adding to the variety and number of artist wares on sale. In coordination with the
Bowen Library, we set up a satellite gallery in the Annex.
They say, “If you build it, they will come.” And they did! From June to September, we
welcomed 6,635 visitors to the Gallery @ Cove Commons. That’s an increase of over
300% from the same period one year earlier.
DISCOVERING OUR NEW SPACE
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03 ProgramsReflecting on
HATE SPEECH
Workshop facilitated by Nancy Current & Robin Atlas
Vector Artists Initiative
Presented by the Bowen Island Arts Council (BIAC)
Artworks created by
Bowen Island Community School Grade 6 Students
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Despite a few distractions (like
relocating), we managed to deliver a full
year of programming, including an array
of programs, workshops and events. In
total, we reached about 11,300 people
through 36 events and activities.
The Arts Council works with Community Recreation Department of the Municipality and other service
providers to offer educational and inspiring arts programming for islanders of all ages. Artists featured in
exhibits are invited to give demonstrations or talks about their work. This past year, Denise de Cordova, an
internationally known ceramicist, gave a talk about art, while Louise Drescher, Karen Watson and Eleanor
Rosenberg set up easels and brought along their pallettes and canvases to work their magic. Ann Beatty
also offered a demonstration of her painting style. Artists Nancy Current and Robin Atlas presented their
work in the Consequences of Hate Speech exhibit, which addressed such issues as intolerance, racism and
other social ills and also worked with school children. Over the course of a two-day workshop, students from
the Bowen Island Community School worked on projects,
writing about and visually expressing their experience of
bullying. The result was a booklet published by the Arts
Council, with the work of the students featured.
We are all artists here.
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During the past year, we presented Jenny Ritter and Sarah Jane Scouten at the Gallery @ Artisan Square and partnered with Kay Meek to present the Orford String Quartet in the new Annex space. As part of our Literary series, we hosted book launches, featuring local writers including Lisa Shatzky, Carol Cram and Pauline Le Bel. The Arts Council sponsors musical and theatrical performances and in the past year, these events included the presentations of: Bowen Island Community Choir, Measure for Measure, the Importance of Being Earnest, and Solo Flamenco. P
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PRESENTING ...
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Simon James/Winadzi, a Kwakwa’wakw Nation artist and a Bowen resident told stories and spoke a little about what the Truth
& Reconciliation process means to him and his
hopes as to what it might mean for his children’s
future.
It was an honour to be involved in the first-ever-on Bowen National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration, on June 21, 2018. Partnering with the Bowen Island Public Library, Pauline Le Bel and the Bowen Island Municipality, and sponsored by the Knick Knack Nook, and Literacy Task Group, we presented cultural ambassador, Rebecca Duncan of the Squamish First Nations, who was accompanied by a family dance troupe. Simon Daniel James was also a special guest for the event that included storytelling, singing and dancing. Those in attendance were invited to learn and participate in the Clan Dance where you could howl like a wolf, soar like an eagle, dive like an orca, or jump like a salmon. We finished the festivities with some delicious bannock and a promise to continue to gather again in a year. This celebration was a component of Knowing Our Place, a reconciliation initiative of the arts council, the Library and Pauline Le Bel. For us, this reflects the commitment to reaching out and connecting with our local First Nations to develop understanding and relationships through the expression of arts and culture.
NationalINDIGENOUSPEOPLESDay
“Because dance, music, photography and other visual arts transcend language, they can bridge barriers among cultural, racial and ethnic groups. The arts also can promote a deeper understanding of similarities and differences among religions, races and cultural traditions.”
Rebecca Duncan, whose ancestral name is Tsitsayxemaatshared ancient stories of the Squamish Nation includng the uplifting story of Chichi’yuy, those iconic mountain peaks - more recently named the Lions. Members of her family joined her singing, dancing an drumming.
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Bowen Island Community Centre06
“At the most basic
level, the arts provide
opportunities for people
to come together through
their attendance at arts
events and classes, arts
festivals, and arts fairs.
Regular involvement in
these arts activities can
produce social solidarity
and social cohesion
through the creation of
community symbols (e.g.,
neighborhood murals)
and community identity.”
(McCarthy, Ondaatje, Zakaras, & Brooks, 2004)
For decades, we’ve been talking on Bowen about
the need for a community gathering space — a
place where residents can come together to
connect, to learn, participate, and share cultural
experiences and other activities. In 2017,
Municipal Council identified the Community
Centre as a strategic priority. Council appointed a
Community Centre Select Steering Committee and
drew from the Community Centre Reserve Fund to
hire a project manager and architects. That team,
which includes the Executive Director of the Arts
Council, rolled up their sleeves and got to work.
The result is a design for a 16,000 square foot
facility, at a cost of $14.5 M that will support
community, recreation and arts programming. It
will also include municipal offices. The proposed
facility will be located on community land owned
by the Municipality, on Lot 2, adjacent to the
Community School and within proximity to Snug
Cove and other village amenities.
A Community Hall and Arts Centre (CHAC) has
been a priority for the Bowen Island Arts Council
since it was established in 1987. The nonprofit
organization has signed an MOU with the
announcement of the federal/provincial Investing
in Canadian Infrastructure program at the end of
September, a window of opportunity opened for
Bowen Island. Under this government program,
$137 M is available to projects in BC that meet
the criteria of the cultural, recreational and
community stream.
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The grant will pay for up to
73% of eligible costs. The
due date for the application is
mid January, 2019. It’s a tight
deadline, but it’s a funding
opportunity not to be missed,
and that might never come
again.
With 75% design drawings
complete, Bowen’s project
is shovel-ready. A business
case and operations plan are
being developed to ensure it is
sustainable in the long-term.
The fundraising campaign
has been launched, with
activities, events and a letter
writing campaign. The goal is
to raise approximately $3.3
M from the community as a
show of support. This, plus
the $1.2 M in reserves, and
$8 M potentially from the
government, would bring the
total to $12.5. The remaining
funds could come from the
Municipality borrowing $2 M.
The loan would be tax-neutral
because BIM already spends
approximately $137,000 per
year in rent for leased space.
Rather than this money going
to rent, it could help pay for a
public amenity.
So, can we do this?! During the
past year, huge effort has gone
into defining the function and
determining how to maximize
use of a multi-purpose facility.
Theatre, acoustic and lighting
professionals have been
engaged to ensure that the arts
community will be well served
in this space.
If the grant is successful, we
can begin building as early
as Fall of 2019, and open the
doors with a grand community
celebration by the fall of 2021.
THE IMPORTANCEOF BEING EARNEST
Presented by Theatre on
the Island, sponsored
by the Bowen Island Arts
Council
It all depends upon the people of Bowen Island. This is the time to step up. Pledges and donations are
being accepted. Letters of support are needed.
Can we make this happen for Bowen Island? Can we lose the ignominious status of being one of the
only, if not the only community in all of British Columbia that does not have a community centre? The
Arts Council and the Bowen Island Municipality are working hard together to deliver an amenity that we
have desired for many many years. Can we realize this dream? We think the answer is yes, but we know
it will only come true if members and stakeholders share the same conviction.
https://www.ourislandplace.com
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OUR CULTURE IS ... IDENTITY, BELIEFS, BEHAVIOURS, ACTIVITIES & ASPIRATIONS
One year ago, the Bowen Island
Municipality adopted the revised,
10-year Cultural Master Plan, as
Bylaw #446. As per the bylaw,
the CMP “shall be a guide for
Bowen Island’s arts and cultural
development”, and furthermore,
“Council recognizes the Bowen Island
Arts Council as the leading advisory
organization to Municipal Council for
arts and culture development and
delegates to the Bowen Island Arts
Council responsibility to direct the
implementation, in consultation with
Bowen Island Municipal Council, of the
Cultural Master Plan.”
CREATING CULTURAL SPACES is the
#1 highest priority of the CMP. We
have achieved the first priority of
establishing and operating a dedicated
cultural space in Snug Cove with the
opening of the Cove Commons. As
described, we are diligently working
towards the second priority of building
a multi-purpose community hall
and performing arts space -- a new
community centre for Bowen Island.
Next up, in terms of priorities, was to
RELIABLY FUND ARTS AND CULTURE.
We are pleased to report that the Arts
Council has entered into a multi-year
core funding agreement with the
Municipality. This has been a goal of
the nonprofit organization since it
began receiving support through the
Bowen Island Recreation Commission,
prior to the Municipality came into
existence. We are very pleased that the
agreement has been secured.
The preamble of the agreement states:
“BIM recognizes the Arts are integral
to our human existence. Culture helps
define the character or identity of a
community in which people feel a
sense of belonging. It engages citizens
in activities that help build a sense
of community, resilience, and civic
engagement. Finally, as the community
grows, culture celebrates diversity and
helps newcomers feel welcome.”
The next highest priority identified is to
SUPPORT PUBLIC ART. More good news
to report on that front. The Arts Council
worked with BIM staff on a public art
policy and program. It took a number of
drafts and updates, but ultimately, BIM
Council adopted the Public Art Program
and Policy. This provides a significant
tool for promoting the cultural vibrancy
of Bowen.
The purpose of the program is to:
• Provide access to art in public places
for all Bowen Islanders and visitors.
• Enhance Bowen Island’s desirability
as a community by creating appealing
environments in which to live,
work and play.
• Honour, preserve and encourage our
cultural heritage and artistic diversity.
• Promote civic identity through
awareness and preservation of the
community’s history and cultures.
• Support effective community
planning, economic development and
cultural tourism opportunities.
In the coming year, BIM will establish
a Public Art Advisory Committee. Its
role will be to provide advice and
recommendations to Council, using
the Public Art Program and Policy as
a guide, with the goal of integrating
art into public spaces throughout
Bowen Island. The Committee will be
comprised of seven voting members,
including a Director of the Board of the
Arts Council and a staff member.
Responding to Priority 4, HELP ARTISTS
MAKE A BETTER LIVING, the Arts
Council introduced a new program this
year — Studio Tours. We scheduled the self-guided tours
held during National Cultural Days, on the last weekend of
September. A total of 24 sites were located on the map,
including 18 home-based studios. Local people and off-
islanders criss-crossed the island connecting with visual
artists, authors, print makers, ceramicists and other creative
residents. A number of hosts reported sales and all agreed
that we should build the annual event.
Above: Mary Levenson is ready to welcome guests to his printmaking studio.
Below: Denise Richard displays her paintings for viewing over the two-day Studio Tours.
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BRANDINGCULTURAL PLAN STRATEGIC GOALS & RECOMMENDATIONS
The initiative to create a new visual
identity for the Arts Council arose
from the work undertaken to revised
the Cultural Plan. In 2017—as part of
celebration of the arts council’s 30th
anniversary—members were invited to
share their stories of how they might
envision the organization in the year
2030. These stories portray a vibrant and
diverse Bowen Island arts community and
helped define the role of the Arts Council
as we move into the next 30 years. A new
brand for BIAC emerged from stories from
myriad perspectives, but conveying a
unifying vision.
What clearly emerged from the research
was the concept of the arts council
as a hearth. Both as a physical space
and metaphoric idea, the hearth is a
symbol of safety, security, inclusiveness,
and welcoming. It is a symbol of
transformation and a gathering place for
clan and community, young and old, to
share stories, food, and experiences.
In addition to a compelling story, this new
brand articulates an essence, a promise,
a tag line and has intrinsically evolved to
include a new name.
Welcome to the Hearth: Arts on Bowen
With the tagline, “Believe. It’s possible,”
the arts council will remain true to its
promise: “We are all artists here.” Though
the legal name will remain Bowen Island
Arts Council, as the charity enters its 40th
decade it will operate with a new sense
of purpose and direction. As its essence
reflects, “The possibilities are endless.”
The next step in our journey was to hire an
artist to help us visualize the new brand
identity. Kirsten Degner, a talented local
designer, was selected and we worked
with her to create a graphic presentation
that embodied who we are and what we
aspire to be.
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08From top row on right: Kate Coffey, Chair, Edward Wachtman, Dave Pollard, Treasurer,
Kathleen Ainscough, David Adams, Judi Gedye, Tina Overbury, Greta Smith, Nerys Poole,
Rob Gloor. Missing: Peter Williamson, Corinne Metclafe.
The Arts Council Board is a hard working group who accomplished
considerable policy and other governance work over the past
year. Members also sit on various committees, both internally and
externally. On behalf of the Arts Council, Edward Wachtman, along
with the Executive Director, has a seat on the Economic Development
Committee, Tina Overbury served on the Board of Tourism Bowen
Island, and Dave Pollard was active on the Heritage Commission.
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STAFF & VOLUNTEERSThe Arts Council continues to operate with a lean team of staff supported by a talented army of
industrious volunteers. We experienced a few staff changes this year, with Marysia McGilvray leaving
the organization, though happily not moving too far
away, as she is very actively involved in the work of
the Public Library. Marysia did a stellar job as our
Program Coordinator and has now been replaced
by the talented and capable Kathleen Ainscough,
who also facilitates our ever-popular Eat Drink Paint
program. This year we fortunate to work with two
dynamic summer students, Chantel Underdown and
Stefan Kowalski. Both have returned to pursue post-
secondary education and we wish them the best of
luck.
Emilie Kaplun continues as our innovative Curator and
Jacqueline Massey remains as the Executive Director.
We can
never
understate
how
much we rely on our team of industrious and committed
volunteers. Their value is really beyond measuring, though
from a market based perspective alone, it is very impressive.
Over the past year, volunteers filled 150 roles, dedicating
5,129 hours, at a modest dollar value of just over $124,000.
We can’t thank them enough for this contribution.
At the end of last year, Shannon Rondeau, who had served
for a number of years as the Gallery Volunteer Coordinator
took her leave. Betty Dhont replaced her in the interim, and then Jacqueline Bell-Irving (pictured
above) accepted the role this year. We are so indebted to these women and applaud them for their
outstanding service.
This past year, two long-serving Board
members, Carol Cram and Mariana
Holbrook stepped away from the Board.
The two have an impressive history of
leading and very actively supporting
the endeavours of the Arts Council.
Mariana had been a Director for a total
of well over 10 years, since she first
joined the Board in the 90s. She was
the Creative Director for the Classical
Music Series, which ran for four
years, and assisted with membership
drives and helped coordinate various
fundraisers. Carol held the position
of Chair of the Arts Council for nine
years running and was integral to the
organization’s progress during that
time. At last year’s AGM, co-founder
of the nonprofit, Hans Behm, awarded
Mariana and Carol with Honorary
Lifetime Memberships. Their impact
and legacy live on and will not be
forgotten.
Peter Schmidt (1995)
Sigurd Sabathil (2002)
Hans Behm k(2003)
Ross Carter (2004)
Lois Meyers-Carter (2004)
Eric Sherlock (2005)
Ann Angus (2008)
Joan Knight (2008)
Betty Dhont (2009)
Graeme Dinsdale (2011)
Paul Hooson (2012)
Mariana Holbrook (2017)
Carol Cram (2017)
Honorary Lifetime Members of the Bowen Island Arts Council
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Saying goodbye is always hard, as people leave Bowen and our organization. In addition to Betty, we
bid farewell to Andrea Little. Both women had served over the years as Directors of the Board and
chairs of the visual arts committee. Their involvement has been massive and hugely beneficial to this
organization. They will be missed.
Greta Smith, Chair of the
Visual Arts Committee poses
with Andrea Little and Betty
Dhont. Pictured also are
members of the VAC, Carol
McNaughton and Mary-Lynn
Machado and Anne Boa and
Vikki-Michele Freckleton
In addition to those pictured above,
members of VAC during 2017-2018
included: Jackie Haase, Ingrid Hauss, Pat
Adams and Laura Robertson. These ladies
were instrumental in ensuring smooth
operations at the old and new galleries and
responsible for the success of the annual
Mini-Gala.
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WE THANK OUR PARTNERS,VOLUNTEERS, MEMBERS, SUPPORTERS & DONORSFrom the artists who donate work for the Mini-Gala fundraising event, to our
425 members who pay fees and support our events and activities, to purchasers
of local art, we are truly indebted to our community. The Arts Council raises
approximately 50% of its revenues from memberships, fundraising activities and
sales. That money is invested directly back into our community and goes a long
way in helping artists and others thrive.
Thank You to our 2017 Mini-GalaParticipating Artists
Kathleen AinscoughLea AllenPaula Love Alucema Lucia ArreagaPaulo ArreagaSandy ArthurMumtaz BandaiMarc BaurAnn BeattyHans BehmAlan BlairLee Ann Bradford RochonLoredana BrindDiane Buchanan
Dorothy BucklandCarolyne Curran-KnightThijs DhontNatalia DominguezMichael EppJanet EsseivaMary FarrisJim FirthVicky FrederiksenLisa GardnerPaula GillgannonVanessa Hall-PatchPauulet HohnBill HoopesJeremy Howe
Di IzdebskiElaine JonesSheree JonesBev KnightKristin KrimmelIan LangDenise LawsonBecky LeaFae LogieCoral LouieCaroline MacDonaldMaryLynn MachadoCindy MayMarysia McGilvrayTracy McLachlan
Carol McNaughtonBetty MortonNicola MurrayMarie NeysMichael Nicoll-YahgulanaasErin PerryDenise RichardSu RickettShannon RondeauEleanor RosenbergRobbie SavoieGregg SimpsonJane SkipseyGreta Smith
Jamie SmithAmrita SondhiBaiba ThomsonBeth TurnerShari UlrichReidun Van KervelGay Lynn VothJilly WatsonLiz WatsonCherie WestmorelandRabia WilcoxJudy Willoughby-PriceRoger Willoughby-PriceImke ZimmermanSilvaine Zimmerman
We acknowledge our many partners including: The Bowen Island Public Library,
Bowen Island Literacy Task Group, Bowen Island Community School, Community
Recreation Department, Arts BC, and the Sea to Sky Arts Alliance.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the Cove Commons a reality, through
their generosity and contributions. We are truly grateful to our individual donors.
We applaud our funders: Knick Knack Nook, Bowen Island Community Foundation,
Province of BC, Canadian Heritage Department of the Government of Canada, and
especially the BC Arts Council and the Bowen Island Municipality.
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ANNUAL REPORTBOWEN ISLAND ARTS COUNCIL
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