Vancouver's arts community was shocked on Wednesday when a press release was issued by the operators of the historic Waldorf Hotel announcing they will shut down productions as of January 20 because of the sale of the complex to a developer.

The hotel was revitalized in 2010 when a 15-year lease was signed by a group of partners led by Thomas Anselmi, Ernesto Gomez, Scott Chen, and Daniel Fazio. They re-opened the Waldorf in October of that year with a vision to create a welcoming cultural hub in the heart of East Vancouver. 

A new report by Rowland Lorimer, director of SFU's Master of Publishing Program, highlights challenges facing BC's creative economy and proposes ways of boosting the sector.

The report, entitled Dreamcatcher: Towards a Creativity/Innovation Strategic Plan for British Columbia, addresses issues raised at the BCreative Conference which took place at SFU's Vancouver Campus in May, 2012. 

The Crazy8s Film Society is very pleased to announce the six winning teams of their 14th annual competition. Whittled down from the original +100 who applied in November, and following pitching, writing and intensive story editing workshops, emerge the following victorious projects:

Braindamage - Matt Leaf (Director/Writer) and Victoria Angell (Producer)

Canada Council for the Arts has posted the following information about a funding opportunity from the European Commission's Directorate General for Education and Culture.
Note: This is not a Canada Council program, however, they are pleased to provide the following information about the EU Culture Programme and how you can access it.

About the Programme

The Pacific Baroque Orchestra recently welcomed David Carlin to the organization in the role of general manager.

After an international career in the music industry with Richard Branson’s Virgin Entertainment Group, David returned to Vancouver and has worked as an arts writer, broadcaster and manager, most recently as the general manager of the Vancouver Cantata Singers.

Diane Loomer, C.M., recipient of the Order of Canada, founder and director of Chor Leoni Men's Choir, co-founder and conductor emerita of Elektra Women's Choir and founder and conductor of EnChor Chamber Choir, died in hospital in Vancouver on Monday, December 10 at the age of 72.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 11, 2013 to remember and rejoice in Diane's remarkable sojourn here on earth.

The Key Events List, compiled by your Alliance for Arts and Culture, lists upcoming events in and around Metro Vancouver through the end of 2013. The list is designed to be a helpful guide to event planners, who will find the roster helpful in avoiding scheduling conflicts.

The list includes major cultural dates, opening nights, festivals, gala fundraisers and significant community events and activities.

VANCOUVER, BC - Robert Frank’s historic photograph Parade, Hoboken, New Jersey (1955) is part of a major group of artworks donated recently to the Vancouver Art Gallery. Other new acquisitions include more than one hundred photographs by Canadian artist Charles Gagnon, a significant collection of works by Myfanwy Macleod, and a number of other artworks.