SPOTLIGHT ON ACTION
AABC…
- Promotes public awareness and appreciation of the arts by collecting and distributing the stories and arts-related experiences of individual British Columbians.
- Promotes public funding, legislation, and policy favourable to the arts in British Columbia by encouraging individual action and participation.
- Uses email and other electronic media to communicate arts information and action alerts to the membership.
- Provides a virtual clearing house and meeting place for audience members, patrons, and workers in all areas of the arts.
- Is supported solely by dues and contributions from its members.
- Encourages members to maintain contact with their elected representatives.
- Provides members with motivation to attend political and all-candidates meetings and recommends questions to be asked.
- Is open and accountable.
- Meets the need for a unique provincial organization.
While AABC engages in political action and communication, it does not support or endorse any political party. We seek to clarify each party’s position on the arts, allowing voters to make informed choices.
Arts Advocacy British Columbia is incorporated as a non-profit society S-55986
FOUNDING DIRECTORS
Lynn Henry Curtis
, RSW, Community Development Consultant, Duncan
Ken Eng
, President, Bulkley Valley Concert Association, Smithers
Martin Horswill
, Amy Ferguson Institute, Nelson Community Opera, Nelson
Murry Krause
, Prince George City Council, Prince George
Caroline Miller
, General Manager, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, Kelowna
FOUNDING AFFILIATES
ArtStarts in Schools
Canadian Music Centre
STAFF
Tom Durrie
Executive Director (volunteer)
Tom brings over 25 years of experience in arts administration to AABC. After an eight-year stint with Vancouver Opera’s Opera-in-the-Schools, he was artistic director and general manager of the Hornby Festival from 1985 until 1996 and then Executive Director of the Pacific Baroque Orchestra from 1996 to 2007. A charter member of the BC Arts Council, Tom has also sat on juries for the Canada Council and the BC Arts Council. In 2006-2008, he led the successful campaign to save the York Theatre. Tom is now semi-retired and works part-time at the Vancouver Crisis Centre in volunteer support. He also sits as a director on the Grandview Woodland Area Council and on the board of St. James Music Academy.
John McLachlan
Communications (volunteer)
Born and raised in Vancouver, John McLachlan was a touring singer/songwriter for 15 years, followed by time spent as an Executive Director of the BC Touring Council and the Creative City Network of Canada. He began studying graphic design, and in 2003 started working full-time with his company Gliss Media , specializing in print and web design for the arts. He has sat on the boards as member and Chair of the Greater Vancouver Alliance for Arts and Culture and Vancouver East Cultural Centre. He is currently the Chair of the Digital Graphic Design program at Vancouver Community College.