Vancouver violinist and teacher Andrew Dawes is being honoured for his accomplishments to the field of classical music in Canada with a Governor General's Award.

Dawes is one of six recipients of awards recognizing artists for an outstanding body of work and enduring contribution to the performing arts, announced this morning (April 10). 

Authors and publishers of books that contribute to the appreciation and understanding of Vancouver’s history, unique character or the achievements of its residents are invited to submit entries for the 25th annual City of Vancouver Book Award.

The winning book can be of any genre and will demonstrate excellence in content, illustration, design, and/or format. To be eligible, books must be published in 2012 or 2013 and meet the application criteria.

All entries must include: four copies of the book, a $20 submission fee, and a completed entry form.

If you haven’t already, now is the time to pre-register your Culture Days activity. Register your activity by midnight EDT next Tuesday, April 30 and you will be promoted in the Culture Days’ national spring communications campaign during the first National Congress on Culture. 

Poet Lorna Crozier and children's author Sarah Ellis have been selected as winners of the 10th annual Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence.

CARFAC National presents:

Artists for Artists
Mentorship, teaching strategies and other tools for visual artists

May 31 – June 2, 2013, Vancouver, BC
Emily Carr University of Art + Design

www.carfac.ca

Marjorie Eleanor MacLean, BA; BFA; M.ED (Leadership), Teaching Degree in Fine Arts - March 2, 1953 – April 18, 2013.

This year, Actsafe celebrates 15 years of setting the stage to work safely. The future of BC's arts industries is a hot topic right now, and working safely is a big part of the equation as we all prepare for growth and success. 

If you are in BC’s performing arts or motion picture industry, bring your voice to the table to help frame the conversation about the future of the organization dedicated to your health and safety.

Staging the Future

Performing arts presenting generates a wide range of benefits for Canadians, the communities they live in and society at large, according to a report prepared by Strategic Moves and released today by the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA).

The Museum of Vancouver has announced its commitment to find an optimal location that will complement its provocative, award-winning programs and exhibitions.

With the announcement this week of Vancouver city council's approval of the plan to lease Larwill Park to accommodate a new Vancouver Art Gallery, many have suggested the VAG's current building on West Georgia as a new home for the MOV.

The annual PACT conference offers four days of face-to-face networking, hands-on workshops, international inspiration and open forum discussion. The conference acts as a hub for conversations that have occurred throughout the calendar year and offers much opportunity for new discussion, debate and collaboration.

This year's primary speakers and workshop focus: Cassie Meador, artistic director, and John Borstel, senior advisor (Humanities) of Dance Exchange (US) will lead delegates through the Critical Response Process. 

Culture Days is a collaborative coast-to-coast-to-coast volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities.

Vancouver city councillors have voted unanimously in favour of leasing the Larwill Park site for a new, purpose-built Vancouver Art Gallery. 

On Wednesday afternoon, council approved a 99-year lease on the 1.8-acre site a few blocks away at 688 Cambie Street. 

The VAG has outgrown the Robson Square site and is only able to exhibit 3% of its permanent collection at any given time in its current location. A new, larger space would enable the display of works that are presently kept in storage. 

British Columbia's Liquor Control and Licensing Branch recently announced amendments to policies regarding Special Occasion Licenses (SOLs), effective April 1, 2013. 

Amendments to the SOL policy exemption requirements relate to maximum drink prices and the number of consecutive days allowed for community festivals. The SOL prices are being adjusted in order to help offset the impact of the return of the PST as well as overall increased costs faced by community and charitable organizations since the prices were last adjusted in 2004. 

Capilano University administrators recently announced plans to suspend several programs to eliminate a $1.3-million budget deficit.

On Friday, the university announced background information on its 2013-14 budget recommendations to eliminate the projected shortfall.

BC's arts, culture, and heritage community leaders will gather at Arts Summit 2013 for two days of brainstorming and visioning as we take the first steps towards developing a comprehensive and sustainable cultural framework for our province.