Arts BC

M E M B E R S P O T L I G H T: 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 🎭

Ever wanted to try improv but weren't sure where to start?

Delta Stageworks Theatre Society is inviting community members, theatre-makers, and performing artists to step into the world of improvisation with The Improv Starter Kit - a welcoming workshop led by acclaimed Canadian improviser, actor, and director Jeff Gladstone.

Designed for beginners and experienced creatives alike, this fun and supportive session explores collaboration, creativity, confidence, spontaneity, and the joy of saying "yes!" No previous improv experience is required - just a willingness to play, connect, and try something new.

📅 June 8, 15, 29, 2026
⏰ 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Red Barn at Southlands, Tsawwassen

The workshop is part of a three-part June series designed to foster creativity, performance skills, and community connection in an accessible and inclusive environment.

Learn more and register at www.deltastageworks.ca

Enjoyed our recent conversation with Thriving Non-Profits? Their upcoming free information sessions are a great opportunity to dig deeper into revenue diversification, resilience, and long-term sustainability for nonprofit organizations.

Learn more and see if the cohort program might be a fit for your organization. ⤵️

Join one of our free 45-minute information sessions on May 21 or June 9 to learn more about the Thriving Non-Profits cohort program!

You’ll get an overview of the program, explore how organizations are approaching revenue diversification in practical and mission-aligned ways, and have the opportunity to ask questions during a live Q&A.

The Thriving Non-Profits cohort is a 4-month learning journey designed to help organizations build more resilient and sustainable futures. Through guided learning, peer connection, and practical tools, participants explore mindset, culture, and revenue diversification strategies that strengthen financial sustainability and increase impact.

Here is what participants are saying: "An incredible learning opportunity! We walked away with new knowledge, clear ideas, and a plan for ex*****on. The blend of self-directed learning, live sessions, team-based discussion, and activities was perfect. I learned a lot!" – Tina Strehlke, Chief Executive Officer, Minerva BC

🚀 Join the hundreds of organizations across Canada already making the shift toward greater resilience!

👉 Register for a free information session here: https://lnkd.in/gUCYnK5g
👉 Ready to apply? Click here to start your application: https://lnkd.in/g_tjp5HG

How do financial systems help (or hinder) the work of arts and cultural organizations? Take a few minutes to share your perspective with Mass Culture / Mobilisation culturelle and help inform future conversations about sector sustainability and support. ⤵️

Question: What kinds of financial tools and infrastructure would actually support arts and cultural organizations?

Share your organization’s experiences today. Your insights will help inform what comes next. Since launching The Mass Culture Podcast, ep 2, we’ve had many conversations and to answer this question, we need more information from you. Because if we want a resilient and equitable cultural sector, we need to understand how money actually moves through it, and how it might move differently.

TAKE THE SURVEY - https://bit.ly/MC-banking-survey
Takes 5 minutes to complete. Survey closes on June 21, 2026.
We'll anonymize and share insights with you this Summer.

Watch The Mass Culture Podcast, ep 2: A Bank for the Arts: Why Canadian Arts Orgs Need Their Own Financial Tools - https://bit.ly/MCpodcast_ep2

What role do arts organizations play in your community?

In a new open letter to the arts community, Michelle Chawla reflects on the choices shaping Canada's arts ecosystem, the realities of growing demand and limited resources, and the importance of building a strong foundation for the future.

The letter explores public investment, artistic innovation, community impact, and what it will take to ensure the arts continue to thrive for future generations.

📖 Read the full letter here: https://canadacouncil.ca/spotlight/2026/05/choices-shaping-the-future

💬 What is most needed to ensure Canada's arts ecosystem remains strong for future generations?

📸 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘺 𝘰𝘧 Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada.

What does the future of arts, culture, and heritage in BC look like?

Join us on June 25th for Arts BC's 2026 Annual General Meeting to hear organizational updates, connect with colleagues from across the province, and be part of the conversation about where we're headed next.

📅 June 25, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM PT
🤟 ASL interpretation provided

Members and non-members are welcome.

🔗 Register here: https://artsbc.org/events/

New research from Hill Strategies estimates that arts, culture, and heritage generate more than $24 billion in economic activity in British Columbia. 📈

The report also found that culture’s direct contribution to BC’s GDP is larger than agriculture, utilities, and wholesale trade, while directly employing more than 132,000 people across the province.

But as many in the sector already know, the impact of culture goes far beyond economics alone. Arts and culture also shape belonging, identity, community connection, learning, joy, and quality of life across BC.

This is the latest post in our Arts BC Sector Watch series exploring research, policy, trends, and conversations shaping the arts, culture, and heritage sector.

📑 Research + analysis by Hill Strategies: statsinsights.hillstrategies.com

💭 Thinking about applying for funding? This is a great opportunity to learn more about BC Arts Council programs, ask questions, and connect with other creatives in the region at the Royal BC Museum Conference Hall!

Calling all creatives in the capital region!

Join the BC Arts Council for an engaging Grants Information Session for individuals on Monday, June 8, 2026 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm at the Royal BC Museum Conference Hall.

Learn about grant programs, how to apply, and network with peers. Refreshments provided.

Register now at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bc-arts-council-grants-info-session-arts-culture-workers-tickets-1990666845121

M E M B E R S P O T L I G H T: 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗖

This summer, the Craft Council of British Columbia presents Jan Smith: Intimate Observations, a retrospective celebrating the work of 2022 Hilde Gerson Award recipient Jan Smith.

Featuring jewellery, printmaking, drawing, and enamel works, the exhibition explores Smith's deep connection to the natural world and invites viewers to slow down and appreciate the beauty found in close observation and material process.

If you're not already familiar with Jan Smith's work, we encourage you to explore it. Her thoughtful and beautifully crafted pieces offer a fascinating look at jewellery and craft as artistic expression.

📅 June 4 – July 23, 2026

To learn more about this exhibition: craftcouncilbc.ca
To learn more about Jan Smith and her work: jansmith.ca

There's another exciting Many Pathways event on the horizon! Join us for "Getting Unstuck: A Conversation About Organizational Change"

What does organizational change look like? From practices and policies, to people and power, the shifts can manifest in many ways. Over the past three years, the Pathways program has supported approximately 70 organizations annually through learning and deepening their equity practices.

Join us as the panel discusses what it's like to be working directly to support organizations and leaders (within and outside Pathways) on their learning journey, unpack themes that have emerged, changes that have been witnessed, and share resources and practices that you can take back into your organization.

🎙️Moderator: Kenji Maeda
👥Panelists: Allison Girvan, Jenna Reid, and Kia Kadiri
📅 Monday, June 15
⌚️ Noon - 1:30pm
💰 Free

❓Who is this for? Anyone! Whether you work in arts, culture, or heritage, care about equity, accessibility, disability justice, and systems change or are curious about the Pathways program, you’re welcome to attend.

Register here: https://shorturl.at/ehUZA

Looking for opportunities to connect, learn, and stay informed this June?

From Pathways conversations and Arts BC Roundtables to our 2026 Annual General Meeting, we've got a full month of virtual events designed to support arts, culture, and heritage organizations across BC.

Whether you're exploring organizational change, curious about the Pathways program, looking to connect with peers, or wanting to help shape the future of Arts BC, there's a place for you in these conversations.

Swipe through to see what's coming up and mark your calendar.

Which event are you planning to attend?

🔗 Registration and event details: artsbc.org