NANAIMO – ArtsBC, formerly known as the Assembly of BC Arts Councils, announced the three Community Arts Champions for 2011 at the annual conference on April 30th in Richmond, BC. Ken Blackburn, Diane Ferguson and Lindy Sisson were each honoured for their contributions to the development and promotion of the arts in their communities in BC.
Ken Blackburn, Executive Director of the Campbell River Arts Council, has been the driving force behind a revitalization of his community through the development of the arts. He has been instrumental in the development of a Public Art Policy for his community and the utilization of Graphic Recording during community meetings as a creative problem solving tool. This past year he spearheaded the unique Art and Health program, which saw the Campbell River Arts Council assist local social agencies in the delivery of their missions. He also works as the Public Program Coordinator for his local museum where he is involved in most of the city’s heritage activities.
Diane Ferguson is a talented artist, making Raku and Pottery. She has been a member of the Hope Artist’s Guild for 15 years where she volunteered countless hours of her time to organize and participate in events such as Arts and Culture Week, Winterfest and Concerts in the Park. In 2005, Diane became a founding member of the Hope and District Arts Council through which she developed the community arts program, The Art Machine. She advocates partnering with other local community groups and societies and works with them to remove barriers and promote the arts across cultures. This year on International Women’s Day she was nominated for and received recognition for her contributions to the community.
Lindy Sisson has a 30-year career working in the arts in Canada. She is passionate about engaging youth in the arts, is successful in fostering community interest and community partnership in support of youth development and is a personal and professional advocate for developing real life skills in young people through arts and culture.
She has been the Executive and Artistic Director of the Vancouver International Children’s Festival, the Edmonton International Children’s Festival and the Teen Festival of the Arts. In her current position as Executive Director for The ACT Arts Centre and Theatre and Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council, Lindy’s mandate is to continue connecting community with the performing and visual arts in significant ways, offer interactive arts education opportunities and enable performing artists to stage their work and engage with new audiences.
Community Arts Champion Awards are awarded each year in conjunction with Arts and Culture Week. They serve to recognize those individuals or organizations who have contributed to the development and promotion of the arts in their communities. Arts and Culture Week and the Arts Champion Awards program are made possible with the support of the Province of British Columbia through the British Columbia Arts Council.
For more information and to view a list of past winners visit: http://bcartsweek.org/arts-champions/index.html
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For more information on ArtsBC, please visit: http://www.artsbc.org
Contact:
Sheryl McGraw, Interim Executive Director, ArtsBC, 778-861-5499
Joan Richoz, Board President, ArtsBC, 604-932-5378
