Message from Chair | Endowments

Board Chair Report October 2022

The life of North Van Arts, as with everyone’s, continues to be shaped by a virulent virus that will not go away and may well be with us for years to come.

The anticipated “return to normal” contains some elements of the normal of three years ago, but only a few. We have returned to in-person opening receptions in CityScape, arts education programmes have been building again, summer art camps have returned with a flourish, and art rental has regained momentum. Anonymous Art Show, our premier fundraising event, offered as both in-person and on-line was a great success. In-person Art in the Garden was in full bloom this past spring and the Art Crawl is back for 2022 (now in October).

Through it all, the Board has been very impressed with and appreciative of staff’s ability and desire to shift, try, modify, and adapt to the needs of the arts community and the ever-changing realities for artists and public. The Board expressly wants to thank Nancy for her outstanding leadership and commitment to the organization. Her energy, community building skills and expertise is very much appreciated. Our volunteers have been extraordinary in their commitment to North Van Arts, and we thank them for making so much of what we do possible.

We end 2021-22 in a neutral financial position. However, as with so many things in the non-profit arts world, storm clouds are never very far away, and things can change about as quickly as the west coast weather or the arrival of a new virus variant. We remain confident that the innovative, unique, and highly useful Culture Compass will receive the local support and sponsorship necessary to keep it operational at its current level.

I am pleased to welcome this past year Karen Moola and Kathleen Whyte to the Board, both for the initial one-year term. I look forward to their further involvement in the years to come. Thanks to David Little, Sandrine Pelissier, and Effat Mirnia who are all stepping down at the 2022 Annual General Meeting. I can’t thank them enough for their years of contribution that supported our organization.

Art in all its forms is a really a personal thing, best viewed, felt, and experienced with all the senses, in-person and not on a screen. North Van Arts, its Board and staff are committed to making that happen in a safe and respectful way.

Don Rutherford Chair, Board of Directors

ENDOWMENTS

The North Vancouver Community Arts Council Scholarship at Capilano University, was established in 1988 to support students in visual and performing arts programmes at Capilano University. Each year the university selects a student to receive the scholarship to further their education.

The North Vancouver Community Arts Council Children & Youth Arts Fund was established in 1993 through the North Shore Community Foundation. This fund offsets costs for children and youth to participate in North Van Arts programmes and/or support creation projects by children and youth.