Arts Activities 2002/2003

September 2002

Arts Expenditures

The Bulkley Valley Community Arts Council undertook a project to identify approximately how much money was being spent in our community by local arts groups. With a large number of groups reporting we found that over $256,000 has been spent locally in the past year! Of course this doesn’t even include the spin off sales from tickets, CD sales etc. The arts are alive and well and contributing a great deal to our local economy.

Charitable Status at Last

After many hours of hard work the BVCAC has finally received its Charitable Donations Status. Many board members, along with an independent consultant, put a lot of hours into making this happen.


October 2002


Dancing Right Along


A deserving local dance student was granted financial assistance so that she could continue to attend her Ballet and Jazz classes. The dance instructor agreed to waive the Ballet fees and the BVCAC covered the Jazz lesson costs. The BVCAC appreciates the generosity and willingness to work co-operatively in our community to further the arts.


Voice Workshop

A grant to support a local voice workshop and guarantee of deficit financing approved. Vancouver voice specialist returns for her second weekend of voice use ~ “not abuse” instruction.


November 2002


Music in the Mountains


The BVCAC sponsored the cost of theatre rental for the Music in the Mountains fundraiser. This event featured six local musicians who recently completed or were in the process of completing CD projects. The event showcased their music and gave the community a chance to support them in their efforts.


Another CD Project


Another local musician has been busy working on his new CD project. The BVCAC was happy to help him out with a loan to offset some of his travel costs associated with the production of his CD.


History in the Making


The Persistent Antipodean Group of Smithers has been working on a beautiful book full of historical stories and photographs of local people and places. A BVCAC grant was provided to support the production of this book. The group also became a new member of the BVCAC.



December 2002


Colour your World


The BVCAC funded a colouring book produced by local artists. Proceeds from the book sales will go towards sending local children, who might not otherwise be able to afford it, to a summer camp with arts and crafts related activities.


Town Council


BVCAC directors attended the annual Grant in Aid meeting with the Smithers Town Council. Presentations about arts activities as well as the arts expenditures report were given to the council to help them in their decision making process for the arts councils grant in aid.



January 2003


Jazz it Up


Four students were awarded a grant to attend a three day Jazz Retreat in Smithers. These students spent their days with some of the finest jazz musicians and educators in Canada, in various different workshop and practical sessions.


Suzuki Method Workshop


Deficit funding was granted for a musical workshop utilizing the “Suzuki Method”. Teachers, students, parents and musicians from the Bulkley Valley and Northern BC attended a variety of different workshops over a six-day period. The instructor was Daphne Hughes, M.A. a professional violinist who has taught the Suzuki Method for over 30 years.



February 2003


Representative Appointed


A BVCAC director was appointed to represent the arts community on the Town of Smithers Recreation and Cultural Committee. This is our tenth year on this committee. The recreation committee looks at issues involving recreational activities in the town of Smithers and advises the town council on appropriate action to take.


Web Site Renovations


A renovation project was undertaken to spruce up the BVCAC web site and make it more user friendly. We added photographs and artwork and also made it easier to navigate the site. The big feature on the site is an arts events calendar that allows people and arts groups from across BC to post their northwest events for all to see.


Historical Church Restoration


The BVCAC has agreed to support the restoration of the St. James Anglican Church building. This historical building has been in a state of disrepair and a group of local citizens have undertaken to restore it and use it for arts related activities such as concerts, plays, exhibits etc. Several other arts groups in Smithers are also supporting this endeavor.


Classical Music Extravaganza


A local music student who is currently attending the University of Calgary treated the community to an evening of classical vocal music. The BVCAC sponsored this entertaining evening by a grant towards theatre rental and a piano accompanist.



March 2003


New Policy


The BVCAC has drafted a new policy centered on CD production grants. The grant is meant to help local musicians who wish to produce and record their own music CD.



Arts and Culture Week


Arts Council directors put up posters and distributed brochures celebrating Arts and Culture Week in British Columbia.



April 2003


The Show Must Go On


Plans for the annual BVCAC variety show are well under way. The theme this year will be Youth Classical Music and Dance and will feature local music and dance students. The funds generated will go towards the BVCAC bursary fund for continuing education in the arts.


And Speaking of Bursaries


Three local arts students have been awarded an Extended Study Award to further their arts education at the University level.


What’s in Your Genes


The Bulkley Valley Genealogical Society is the newest member of the BVCAC ~ Is art inherent or learned?



May 2003


Creatively Speaking


Once again the BVCAC sponsored the Creative Roots Year-End Extravaganza. This event showcases the talent of many local dance students and features everything from jazz and tap to hip-hop and classical ballet. Student, parents and community members were treated to a great show.


Gallery Request


The Smithers Art Gallery put forward a request for funding to the BVCAC. The gallery hosts a number of art exhibits and hands on educational events every year and over 4000 people came through the doors last year. The arts council provided a grant to assist with the gallery’s rental expenditures.


CD Recording


The BVCAC made a substantial grant towards the purchase of a CD Recording Reproduction Unit to be used by local musicians. This unit will enable local musicians who are producing their own CD’s to make copies for resale. CD’s can now be recorded locally and reproduced in smaller batch quantities than ordering them through a large company out of town. This will result in considerable savings to the artists and will also put the dollars back into the local economy.


June 2003


Off to the Island


Five local music students were provided a grant to attend ten days of musical training on Vancouver Island. Students attended a summer jazz retreat at Malaspina College. These students returned to the community with lots of new knowledge and have been spotted at several different events showing off their talents.