The Vancouver Inspiration Pass is a free cultural and recreational pass program available to those with a Vancouver Public Library card.

Created to increase community engagement and inclusivity and support lifelong learning, the pass provides opportunities for Vancouver residents – regardless of socio-economic status – to benefit from the many diverse cultural, learning and recreation activities offered throughout Vancouver. 

Cameron Kerr’s sculptural practice is to give new life to images and forms around us through different materials and scale. The sculptures are exquisitely carved and finished and grounded in modernist architecture, art history and local cultural iconography. The forms are influenced by the shape and contingencies of the stone itself during the carving process.

Appointed by the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, the all-party Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services is seeking the public's input on next year's provincial budget through public hearings, written submissions, and an online survey.

In a dis­cus­sion paper released on Octo­ber 16, the Canada Coun­cil for the Arts called for pub­lic engage­ment in the Arts. The pub­li­ca­tion was made at the Council’s Annual Pub­lic Meet­ing and accom­pa­nies the release of its Annual Report.

In this issue: Five important reports and resources examining arts education in the US, England and Australia, including evidence regarding the impacts of the arts for at-risk youth, the connection between childhood arts experiences and adult arts attendance, the impacts of partnerships between arts organizations and schools, ways to improve arts education in American schools, as well as information about an arts education research clearinghouse.

A vibrant arts and culture scene is important to any truly great city, so the City of Vancouver offers grants to support a wide range of events and projects.

If your non-profit cultural organization produces or presents ongoing activities or is planning a project or event, you may be eligible for funding through the City of Vancouver's Cultural Grants Program. Check out the guidelines below for all of the details.

Eligible applicants

You can apply for this grant if your organization is a Vancouver-based, non-profit, arts or culture organization.

Performing arts presenters are invited to attend a short presentation and roundtable discussion with Inga Petri of Strategic Moves, the lead consultant of this pan Canadian study, Value of Presenting, spearheaded by CAPACOA.

Survey Launch, October 23, 2012

The Real Estate Institute of BC and the Social Purpose Real Estate Collaborative are pleased to announce a research project to benchmark the real estate rates, terms and conditions in which the social purpose / not-for-profit / cultural sector functions in Metro Vancouver.

Just the facts

Non-profit cultural organizations can run into legal challenges as a result of systems and practises in place that are not aligned with legislated policy or regulations. Sometimes it is challenging to know when legal advice is needed or what type of legal guidance is required to properly address an issue. This workshop aims to provide foundational knowledge and capacity to identify, plan for, and respond to legal issues that can arise in the management of a non-profit organization.

What participants will learn:

The winner of this month’s Alliance Cultural Passport package of arts and culture treats is Karen Jamieson Dance Company. Using both creation and performance, Karen Jamieson uncovers a mythic, poetic language through dance; believing the power of contemporary dance transcends cultures, languages, histories and traditions by connecting us all at a very primal level.

Melanie O’Brian, the new director of Simon Fraser University’s Audain, Teck and SFU art galleries, plans to transform the galleries into a vibrant focal point for both the university and Metro Vancouver.

“I’m excited because I care deeply about the Vancouver art community and its position within the Canadian and international art scenes, and I think SFU can be a much bigger part of all that than it is now,” says O’Brian.

Criteria for consideration of Assessment Committee Members

Oct. 2, 2012 - “The arts are critical to a community’s quality of life,” says Park Board Chair Sarah Blyth. “The studio space will provide a supportive, creative environment where artists can develop their work, engage residents and increase participation in the arts.”

This past weekend, 7,000 activities took place in nearly 800 communities across the country and millions of Canadians expressed their love of culture by participating in Culture Days and exploring the cultural life in their communities. Whether you hosted an activity or participated in one, congratulations to all for contributing to the largest public participation campaign in Canadian history!

Your feedback is important

This Key Event Calendar, compiled by your Alliance for Arts and Culture, lists upcoming events in Metro Vancouver from fall 2012 through to 2013. The list is designed to be a helpful guide to event planners, who will find the roster useful in avoiding scheduling conflicts.

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

A large part of the origins of the Creative Commons license was the artistic sector. Join a panel of practicing artists who will share how and why they chose to use Creative Commons licenses for their works and discuss the changing landscape of creative practice, intellectual property and participatory culture.

This is the second in a series of salons across the country to raise awareness of the potentials of the Creative Commons and to celebrate the re-launch of the Creative Commons Canada affiliate,