Several new appointments, including a new chair and vice-chair, have been named to the BC Arts Council (BCAC).

Merla Beckerman, originally appointed to the council in October 2010, takes up the reins from retiring chair Stanley Hamilton. Lori Marchand, also with five years’ experience with BCAC, has been appointed as vice chair. Lindsay Bailey and Jane Macdonald have been named as new members. Claudia Blair, Thomas Cannell and Pauline Nocente have been reappointed to the council.

A resident of West Vancouver, Beckerman is an advisor and consultant actively involved in the arts as a professional and volunteer. She has served as chair of the Vancouver Art Gallery Board and vice-chair of the National Gallery of Canada. Past community involvement includes Arts Umbrella, West Vancouver Community Foundation, Canadian Craft Museum, Contemporary Art Society of Vancouver and St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation Arts Board. Currently, she is president of The Society of Art Centre of Art, Architecture + Design.

A resident of Kamloops and a member of the Okanagan First Nation, Lori Marchand is general manager of Western Canada Theatre and has contributed to the success of the Southern Interior’s largest professional theatre company for 15 years. She previously worked for Odyssey Productions and Broadway North Theatre Company, both in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

Lindsay Bailey is a lawyer specializing in business and intellectual property law with a focus on the creative sectors in British Columbia. Originally from Terrace and now active in her home community of Vancouver, she serves on the board of directors of Femmarte and currently is collaborating with the Canadian Art Foundation to establish an endowment for mid-career women artists. She serves on the board of directors of Cineworks, is a member of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and an associate member of the International Trademark Association.

Vancouver resident Jane Macdonald has more than 25 years’ experience with non-government organizations. Working with such organizations as the Vancouver Foundation, The Lotte and John Hecht Foundation, the Health Promotion Directorate and the United Nations Development Program, she has actively managed and evaluated granting programs in the cultural, health and social service sectors.

For detailed biographies of BC Arts Council members, visit: https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/about/councilmembers.htm#

The council oversees about 40 programs that support artists and arts organizations in communities throughout British Columbia.

Quote:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development –

“Our sincere gratitude goes out to Dr. Hamilton for his exceptional leadership with the BC Arts Council – especially during a time of significant change for the arts community. With Dr. Hamilton’s guidance, the BC Arts Council was able to develop its governance model, set clear priorities for 2014-18 through its strategic plan, and offer a number of new programs that support the BC Creative Futures strategy.”

“Congratulations to Merla Beckerman and the new and returning appointees. Their wealth of experience will further strengthen and enhance the council’s work.”

Quick Facts:

• The BC Arts Council is funded by the Government of British Columbia. In 2015-16, the BCAC will provide $24 million to help artists and cultural organizations flourish in communities throughout the province.
• Community arts councils, galleries, performing arts organizations, festivals, museums and individual artists throughout British Columbia receive BC Arts Council funding.

Learn More:

The BC Arts Council is the Government of British Columbia’s lead agency for arts funding and development: www.bcartscouncil.ca