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Board of Directors 2010 Maureen Allen-President |
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History and Mission Our primary mission is finding the means to continue and increase our scholarship fund so that young, talented British Columbians can be encouraged to continue their studies in what is an increasingly costly discipline, thus insuring that B.C. will continue to enjoy the sight of home-grown dancers on our own and international stages. The Vancouver Ballet Society offers dance students exclusive Master Classes with some of Canada’s most prominent artists and companies, as well as a week long intensive workshop known as Spring Seminar, and scholarship funds. The Society also houses an extensive archive collection with pieces dating back to 1912. The Vancouver Ballet Society also publishes the acclaimed Dance International Magazine, which is distributed world wide! |
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Phone: 604-681-1525 |
Email: vbs@telus.net |
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Staff:
Vancouver Ballet Society
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President's Report 2009
My name is Maureen Allen and I have been the rookie President of the Vancouver Ballet Society for the past year. It has been a very satisfying year in many ways, but the Society faces some real challenges as do many art organizations in the province. First of all, the good news… Jean Orr arranged a number of Master Classes during the year, including one by our Honourary President Evelyn Hart. These special classes offer another enriching experience for dance students throughout the Lower Mainland. Dance International, the Society’s illustrious magazine had another successful year despite cuts from the British Columbia government. In, 2009, our persuasive Editor, Maureen Riches received word that the Canada Counci lhad increased its grant for 2010. In a year of brutal provincial cuts, this was indeed good news. The magazine was praised for “its sustained level of achievement… and for its informed and well-written presentation…” Maureen, in her continuing quest to improve the magazine, agreed to take part in a study by five Simon Fraser University graduate students on how the magazine could be improved. The final results of this project will be available later this year. With money from the Betina Byers Fund and interest from the Marie Lewis Fund, we were able at last to purchase a software program and start cataloguing the Society’s Library. The cataloguing was started in the fall of 2009 and will continue into 2010. The Board also agreed to rent a room on the seventh floor in the Dance Centre to house the Archives. This has resulted in much needed space in the office and library areas. The VBS General Manager, Leslie Nadon has taken us further into the electronic world during the last year. Our web newsletter, The Barre Facts, is colourful, informative and fun. Leslie also planned and carried out a successful e-format “summer fun” photo contest and continues to find new ways to interact with our members through the web. She even started a face book page for members. Despite all these positive accomplishments there was disheartening news in 2009. We did not receive $50,000 in funding expected from the Provincial Government and in fact the government cancelled grants to most arts groups in the province. As a result, we ended the year in a deficit position. This financial situation was made worse by the cancellation of the Ballet BC season, resulting in a lower than expected sales of our ballet merchandise. Although our programs such as the Spring Seminar usually break even or show a small profit, the Society as a whole does not have sufficient funding. As a result fund-raising in the years ahead will focus on events that will benefit the Society as a whole. In the near future we will be calling on members to help us plan and participate in various projects. Although we ended 2009 with a real concern for our financial situation, we begin 2010 with this wonderful Spring Seminar and a glimmer of hope with the British Columbia government’s recent announcement that there may be arts funds available for arts As always, we acknowledge with gratitude funding from The Canada Council for the Arts, the BC Arts Council, The Vancouver Foundation and Magazines Canada. I would personally like to thank my fellow Board members, B. G. Pennyway, Vice-President, Jean Orr, Secretary and directors Betty Kovacs, Ken Long, Jane Walsh, Sheila Smith and Heather Campbell and our enthusiastic General Manager Leslie Nadon, who looks after all those important details that are part of running an office. I would also like to thank our volunteers, including Edith and Don Anderson who provided their home for a fund-raising garage sale in September and Pat Starkie who so ably hosted a dinner for the guest teachers and the reception following the Spring Seminar and Annual Meeting. I cannot end this report without a note about the untimely and shocking death of Board member Robin Smith on Christmas Day. Robin had not been on the Board very long, but had already made a lasting impression on all who knew him. His calm and helpful suggestions and his lovely sense of humour will be greatly missed. At this time I would also like to pay tribute to our wonderful Spring Seminar Chair Sheila Smith, who continued to direct this year’s Spring Seminar after the death of her beloved husband, Robin. We owe her a great debt of gratitude for arranging and directing a superb Spring Seminar this year under such trying circumstances. She was always so calm and gracious in looking after the many details concerned with the running of this programme. And to all of you, the members of the Vancouver Ballet Society, a big thank-you. We couldn’t accomplish what we do without your support and encouragement. Financial Support The Vancouver Ballet Society and Dance International Magazine gratefully acknowledge financial support from:
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