The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society was formed July 3rd 1990 with the following set of guiding purposes:
- To promote the building of a performing arts centre for Vernon and district;
- To raise funds by way of public subscription, the obtaining of grants and financial assistance, and all such means as may be required to finance the construction and operation of such a performing arts centre;
- To build, maintain and operate such a performing arts centre located within the City of Vernon, and serving the population of the Grater Vernon Parks and Recreation District; and
- To foster the appreciation and enjoyment of, and the participation in, the full range of performing arts in Vernon, and district.
We are a registered Not-For-Profit Society Provincially, and a Federal Registered Charity.
Construction of the Performing Arts Centre went to referendum on November 20th 1999 and was passed by a "yes vote" of 58.5%.
Construction of the facility was led by Vancouver based TASK construction. With architectural work provided by T R Thorburn Architect Ltd and Theatre Consultation provided by Doug Huggins, both of Vernon.
Construction was budgeted at $9,754,000.00 and the project finished on time and strongly under budget.
The outdoor amphitheatre was the only element of the design eliminated through the construction process. The department of Fisheries and Oceans ruled that this element infringed on the natural habitat of Swan Lake Creek.
Michael Cade was hired April 1st 2001 as the Society's first Executive Director.
Construction of the Centre was completed in October of 2001.
The guiding purposes for the Society were revised on December 19th, 2002, and currently state:
- The Vernon and district Performing Arts Centre Society is a not-for-profit organization devoted to fostering live entertainment in all its forms. its purpose is to operate a Community Theatre situated within the city of Vernon and serving the population of the North Okanagan Regional district.
The Regional district of the North Okanagan, through the Greater Vernon Services Commission, owns the facility. (GVS is comprised of the Corporation of the City of Vernon, the District of Coldstream, and Electoral Areas B and C)
The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society operates the Centre under the terms of a "Management and Operating Agreement" with the Regional District.
The Society is made up of a membership, with up to 15 elected and appointed board members. The Board consists of the following executive positions:
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Past President
The Executive Director is directly responsible to the Society's Board.
The Staff of the Performing Arts Centre and the Ticket Seller is directly responsible to the Executive Director.
Members of the Society's Board do not have direct access to the Staff, other than the Executive Director.
The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society is made up of three arms length operations.
Theatre Operations
The Society manages and operates the Performing Arts Centre under contract for the Regional District of the North Okanagan. The Centre is a "Roadhouse Facility", which means that it is available for rental only. the Operations arm does not create, produce, or present shows.
Staff for the Operations include:
- Technical Director, Casual Technicians, Technical Volunteers. The Technical Volunteers and Casual Technicians are responsible to the Technical Director. The Technical Director is responsible to the Executive Director.
- Guest Relations Manager (Front of House Manager), Guest Relations Volunteers, Posturing Staff are responsible to the Guest Relations Manager. The Guest Relations Manager is responsible to the Executive Director.
- Building Maintenance Manager and part time Janitorial Staff. The part time Janitorial Staff are responsible to the Building Maintenance Manager. The Building Maintenance Manager is responsible to the Executive Director.
- Audience Development Manager and part time Bookkeeper. these positions are responsible directly to the Executive Director.
- Casual Staff are hired as necessary.
Ticket Seller
The Society is the sole owner of the Ticket Seller Box Office. The Box Office operates on a break-even basis, and is not subsidized in any fashion. The Ticket Seller is considered to be a business venture, and operates under the structure of a Manager, and Ticket Agent Staff. The Ticket Agent Staff is responsible to the Ticket Seller Manager, and the Ticket Seller Manager is responsible to the Society's Executive Director.
Presentation Series
Presenting is an essential part of the success of a facility like the Vernon and district Performing Arts Centre. Since the Operating arm cannot present works, the Society has undertaken this vital task. Currently the Society presents a season of 22 divergent performances in the following areas.
A six show professional theatre season
A five show professional dance season
A four show professional kids' programming season
A four show series designed to appeal to people between the ages of 18 and 35
One show to celebrate the anniversary of the Theatre
One issue based show for senior high-school students
One show to feature local media artists.
The series is operated on a break-even basis, with the Society renting the Facility from the operational arm.
The Society books, schedules, contracts, advertises, and facilitates the performances. A fee is paid to the Artists, and the Society is responsible for the loss/profit generated by ticket sales, donations, grants, and sponsorship.
The Society receives grants from federal, provincial, and local governments to bring these Artists to our community.
Sponsorships, grants, and donations are solicited to help cover the costs of the Presentation Series.
The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society can be contacted:
By Phone:
Operations and Society - (250) 542-9355
Ticket Seller - (250) 549-SHOW (7469)
By Fax:
(250) 542-9384
By email:
theatre@ticketseller.ca
And by regular mail:
3800 33rd Street
Vernon, British Columbia
V1T 5T6
