Arts Activities Newsletter 2000-2001
(view below or download pdf)
August/Sept 2000
Minister Meets with Directors on September 27th, 2000
Directors met with Hon. Ian Waddell, Minister of Small Business,
Tourism and Culture at the Hudson Bay Lodge. We voiced our concerns
over the BC Arts Council’s perception of the BVCAC not providing
specifically targeted projects to the First Nations in our community.
We also expressed our view that our BVCAC volunteers are just that,
volunteers, none of our members are paid for their services and more
is being asked of us at every turn. We already provide an immense number
of volunteer hours, many of them professional hours for accounting
services.
During the meeting, a director made the suggestion that if more funds
became available, they could be targeted to festivals throughout the
province. Or as an alternative, increased funding in the form of basic
assistance grants to the arts councils could be provided so the communities
can determine how to best serve the arts. Thus the grass roots level
arts and culture programs would then be encouraged and developed, rather
than just “special project” funding projects that come and
go.
Treasurer Travails
The BVCAC Treasurer worked on a member group’s books, encompassing 3
years of financial statements! She spent numerous hours and lent her expertise
to help out a fellow member and society get back on track.October
Concert Etiquette Refresher
The Arts council made a cassette tape regarding theater etiquette to play
before all performances at the Della Herman Theatre.....(what is it with
talking on cell phones, disruptive mid-performance pee breaks, watch alarms
that play obnoxious tunes??).
Charitable Status
Registration for Charitable Status was made to Revenue Canada so that in
the future, donations and funding sources could be supported by charitable
receipts.
November
A Bigger, Better Calendar
The Town of Smithers and Chamber of Commerce now include the arts community
in their expanded Calendar of Events”.
Annual Chit Chat with Council
The BVCAC met again for the annual Grant in Aid application process with
the Town of Smithers. Additional funding was included in the application
for the Smithers Art Gallery to cover increases in operational costs.
The Affordable Rec. Guide is out
Affordable Recreation Guide includes the BVCAC as a participant.Wink Wink,
Nudge Nudge
Sell out of 6th Annual Variety Show put on by the BVCAC was the biggest and
best ever with the Monty Python theme a huge hit. All proceeds go to the
BVCAC Bursary for students furthering their education in the arts.
Dancing Fever
BVCAC co-sponsors a show with Janet Harris’ Creative Roots Performing
Arts.
Death and Smashing Thumbs
BVCAC directors help construct sets for the Smithers Senior Secondary’s
production of “Murder’s in the Heir”.
Pushing the PD
The BVCAC continues to support a professional development day at the local
schools to get teachers psyched about teaching arts....
January
Gussy up Della
Fundraising began in earnest for donations to the Della Herman Theatre upgrading
of curtains and lighting/sound equipment. Bank account opened and deposits
made.
Sunshine Coast Tour
Arts Council granted $1,500 to the BV Youth Fiddlers and Bongo Fury to assist
with travel expenses on their musical tour to venues on the Sunshine Coast
as ambassadors of the Bulkley Valley arts community.
Representation on Another Board
Arts Council director is appointed a position on the Social Planning Advisory
Council.
February
Trailer not to be trashed
BVCAC president met with the School District #54 principal, drama teacher,
secretary/treasurer to draft a user policy for the trailer, which is to
continue being utilized for theatre storage and dressing rooms.
In addition, discussions are to occur in the immediate future to draft policy
regarding equipment use in the theater, specifically related to purchases
by the BVCAC for the theatre.
March
How about a festival?
In partnership with the Town of Smithers, BVCAC submits an application to
host the 2004 Festival of the Arts.
Curtains are for Certain!
Fundraising continues for the theater but the curtains have been ordered.
The old curtains are shredding and fraying and must be replaced for our
theatre used by the high school and community.
Dinner Theater Sold Out
All 4 shows of the BVCAC and BV Players cooperative venture, dinner theatre
at the Logpile Lodge were sold out.
Boost the Band Boosters
The BVCAC supported the BV Band Boosters with deficit financing up to $1000
for their trip to Edmonton – 60 students in the band and choir attended
a week of workshops and concerts.
Swinging for the School District
The high school production of “Crazy for You” gets a kick from
the BVCAC through the hiring of a dance instructor to teach students the “swing
jive”.
Publishing Problems
Local valley publisher was rescued by the Arts Council grant of $1,000 to
offset printing costs and enable a new book to get off the press.
April
Water Walker Film Festival
BVCAC sponsored the event with funds raised going to drama students and the
photo club.
Arts and Culture Week
The BVCAC supported a re-visiting of Monty Python.
May
Dance Fever hits again
Creative Roots gets sponsorship from the BVCAC for their biannual recital.
What the heck is the BVCAC and what do they DO?
BVCAC President develops a “flow chart” and some introductory material
for new arts council members and directors to outline the roles, responsibilities,
policies etc. of the BVCAC.
June
Momma Show a great success!
The BVCAC supported local moms who produced the “Momma Show”, consisting
of a multitude of diverse styles of art forms, by local moms, by providing
financial assistance.
Student Bursaries
Once again, the BVC Arts Council doled out some cold hard cash ($1500) to
deserving local students pursuing post secondary education in the arts.
Webbing the Arts
Discussions held with BC Arts Council rep and local directors on development
of our web page to encompass not only our art activities here in the valley
but for all the Northwest region, by way of user-friendly database input.
Funding sources to be sought out.
Thanks Volunteers
As it is the Year of the Volunteer, T-shirts of “ I VOLUNTEER” were
given to the board directors and members in appreciation of all their long
hours of contribution to the arts
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