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2015/16 Annual Report 228207_AR.inddAU_AR2016_19_PRINT.indd 1 1 2017-02-032017-02-02 10:27 3:30 PMAM Big Things s tart small Thirty-seven years ago, 45 children walked through our doors—the very first Arts Umbrella students. Arts Umbrella has grown into something much bigger, becoming a nationally renowned charity that has provided the highest quality Dance, Theatre, and Visual Arts education to more than 500,000 young people. “It was a dream to inspire all children to become healthy, confident, productive, creative citizens,” says Carol Henriquez, O.C., co-founder of Arts Umbrella. “Through the arts we’re realizing that dream.” Arts Umbrella’s half-million students have gone on to become the creative citizens who are the success of the creative economy—leading the way in industries like movies, publishing, and video games. But it hasn’t stopped there. Creativity has paved the way for many students to become successful doctors, scientists, and business leaders. Long before research started to show that creativity was the key to unlocking a child’s potential, Arts Umbrella was there, inspiring young lives through the arts. Big things... great things... so often start small. Our past and current students are the perfect proof of that. V ision A better world where all young lives are inspired to pursue a lifelong journey towards self-expression, compassion, and humanity. Mission To be Canada’s leader in arts education for young people that builds community and delivers profound life experiences through our commitment to innovation, excellence, and inclusivity. At the heart of what we do, we inspire people to live creative, authentic and courageous lives. 228207_AR.inddAU_AR2016_19_PRINT.indd 2 2 2017-02-032017-02-02 10:27 3:30 PMAM Big Impact 20,038 students enrolled 14,496 took part at no cost 412 bursaries totalling $134,266 135 scholarships totalling $41,030 243,179 instructional hours 1,044 classes, programs, and camps 213 staff and artist-instructors 37 community partners in Vancouver and Surrey 1,598 students exhibited their work 10,656 kids watched our performances 14,496 kids took part in our free school programs 64 Metro Vancouver schools attended free or low-cost shows 228207_AR.inddAU_AR2016_19_PRINT.indd 3 1 2017-02-032017-02-02 10:27 3:30 PMAM Board Chair’s President & CEO’s Message Message On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am very pleased to It is with great pleasure that I share with you the highlights present the 2015/2015 Annual Report. of the past year at Arts Umbrella. Since my return to the organization in April, I have been awestruck by the This has been a year of transition, including the departure tremendous dedication that I witness every single day, from of Lucille Pacey as President & CEO. Through Lucille’s 12 our students, instructors and staff, board of directors, years of leadership and dedication to Arts Umbrella, she volunteers, donors and community partners. helped to grow the organization significantly, and we thank her for her commitment to inspiring creativity in children This year, we have exceeded tuition targets, excelled and youth. in fundraising, and have achieved a budgetary surplus. Working in collaboration with several community partners, The search for a new President & CEO gave the Board the we were able to accomplish many new projects, including: opportunity to consider the leadership needed to guide Arts Umbrella into the future, and we couldn’t have found The Creative U program in partnership with Surrey anyone more well suited than Paul Larocque. Paul’s return Schools, an expressive arts program for children with to Arts Umbrella has been a source of renewed vitality intellectual disabilities. within Arts Umbrella, bringing into motion countless A new program with the Vancouver School District which activities, the priorities of which have included: saw us deliver 10 new after-school programs focusing on The development of a business plan for the significant students who face barriers to participation due to financial, expansion of our core facility on Granville Island; geographical, cultural and family circumstances. An increased focus on fundraising; Participation in the official store opening of Simons at Park Royal where 15 Arts Umbrella students had their artwork Enhancing our community engagement efforts in Surrey; exhibited within the store. As part of their commitment And, the formation of a new strategic plan that will to support local art, Simons has made a three-year encompass the next exciting chapter for Arts Umbrella. commitment to exhibiting Arts Umbrella student artwork. I am grateful to our entire Board for their hard work and Drum Heat: A special benefit concert in support of commitment to ensure this exceptional organization can Arts Umbrella Surrey organized by Arts Umbrella continue to make a powerful difference in the lives of young Board Member Sal Ferreras who brought together and people. With my term as Board Chair coming to a close, I performed with some of Surrey’s most outstanding world can reflect on this year of transition with the certainty that musicians. Arts Umbrella is in the best possible shape to continue to Also this year, Arts Umbrella received special funding of grow: growing the minds, souls and imaginations of our $350,000 from the Province of British Columbia to carry out students, and increasing the reach and accessibility of our research, feasibility studies, and business planning in support programming throughout Metro Vancouver. of the expansion of our core facility on Granville Island. Sincerely, Arts Umbrella has made a real difference in this past year, but we believe our programs will have an even greater impact in the years to come—helping to nurture creativity, innovation, and a positive sense of community for the next Michael Lee generation. To the entire Arts Umbrella community, I want Chair, Arts Umbrella Board of Directors to thank you for all of your support. It is because of you that we are able to inspire creativity... for good. With gratitude, Paul Larocque President & CEO 2 ARTS UMBRELLA 2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT 228207_AR.inddAU_AR2016_19_PRINT.indd 4 2 2017-02-032017-02-02 10:27 3:30 PMAM Inspring creativity. For good. 3 228207_AR.inddAU_AR2016_19_PRINT.indd 5 3 2017-02-032017-02-02 10:27 3:30 PMAM Last year one of the foremost awards honouring extraordinary women leaders recognized one of our own: Artemis (Arty) Gordon. The Arts Umbrella Artistic Director, Dance was the winner of the 2016 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards in Arts, Culture & Design. “This award represents the work of many people,” says Arty. “The monumental effort in redefining and reshaping the traditions of dance training required the commitment, vision, and passion of many artists. I have been in the presence of so many wonderful colleagues, and the Arts Umbrella Dance Program is a reflection of all of our hopes for education and dance.” The Arts, Culture & Design award recognizes women leaders who enrich Vancouver through a commitment to the arts, who promote the artistry of others, and who build community. And what an inspiring community Arty has built around the Arts Umbrella Dance Program—a community that positively impacts the lives of thousands of young people. “She cares so deeply about every one of us,” says Dance post-secondary student Sabine Raskin. “She cares about providing her students with the best possible opportunities to succeed and realize our dreams.” For more than 20 years, Arty has developed the Arts Umbrella Dance Program’s unique, well-balanced curriculum. Various exchanges, tours, and collaborations have spanned Europe, New York, Montreal, and Japan, and Arts Umbrella students have grown artistic confidence under mentorship of a highly respected faculty and through collaborations with international heavy-weights such as Ballet BC and Nederlands Dans Theatre. All told, the program provides outstanding access to dance education for students of all socio-economic backgrounds. “The award speaks to Arty’s level of professionalism and to her contributions to the dance profession and community overall,” says Paul Larocque, Arts Umbrella President & CEO. “We are so proud of Arty, the Dance Program, and our students.” Without the Arts Umbrella Dance Program and Arty’s driving force, many students might not be able to afford such a high level of training, which includes regular opportunities to perform world-class choreography and work with international artists. This access is rare, even for professional companies, and at Arts Umbrella it is available to young artists. The result is a high-calibre program that is increasingly applauded around the world. Arts Umbrella congratulates Arty on the award, and even more so for developing the Arts Umbrella Dance Program into a life-altering experience for young dancers. Our shared vision at Arts Umbrella is a world where young people express themselves creatively for all of their lives—and Arty contributes to that in such a beautiful way. 4 ARTS UMBRELLA 2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT 228207_AR.inddAU_AR2016_19_PRINT.indd 6 4 2017-02-032017-02-02 10:27 3:31 PMAM Creativity On the Big Screen Arts Umbrella was a giant influence in actor Paul Moniz de Sá’s creative journey. “I never imagined how much Arts Umbrella would affect my life,” says the performer, who is also Arts Umbrella’s Artistic Director for Theatre & Music. “Arts Umbrella gave me the courage to become a professional actor in film and theatre.” With a career spanning two decades, Paul is one example of the many Arts Umbrella students who have gone on to soar in creative careers. But why is Arts Umbrella critical in that artistic journey? “One of the reasons it is an inspirational place is that all of the instructors are working artists,” says the actor, who brings his incredible talent and passion to the classroom.

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