The Osoyoos Community Arts Council was incorporated in December 1981, and officially changed its name to the Osoyoos & District Arts Council, July 14, 1989.
The purpose of the Arts Council is to broaden the opportunities for residents of the Osoyoos area to enjoy and participate in cultural activities.
The purpose includes the following goals:
- to help coordinate the work and programs of artists and cultural associations in the area
- to stimulate and encourage the development of cultural projects and activities
- to render service to participating groups
- to act as a clearinghouse for information on cultural programs and activities
- to foster pride in the cultural heritage of this community
- to interpret the work of cultural groups to the community and promote public understanding
- to inform civic authorities of the cultural needs of the community.
Meetings: The Osoyoos & District Arts Council generally meets on the third Wednesday of the month. Members are advised of the meetings and receive the minutes and agenda by email. Meetings are held at the Osoyoos Arts Centre in the board room above the Osoyoos Art Gallery at 89th and Main Street. New members are always welcome.
Committees:: The Osoyoos Art Gallery is run by a committee of the Osoyoos & District Arts Council. The gallery is totally operated by volunteers and host approximately 9 shows a year featuring Osoyoos and local area artists with occasional guest artists from further a field.
The Osoyoos Concert Series also run by a committee of the Osoyoos & District Arts Council and is staffed totally by volunteers. The Osoyoos Concert Series schedules 3 concerts per season from performing artists from all over Canada.
Groups: Groups under the Arts Council umbrella include the Osoyoos Potters, Artists on Main, Osoyoos Photography Club, O’s Own Writers, Osoyoos Wood Carvers, the Osoyoos Quilters Guild, the South Okanagan Amateur Players (SOAP), South Okanagan Concert Series and Janet Marcotte Music Studio, Osoyoos Music in the Park.
Awards and Bursaries: The Osoyoos and District gives a yearly a $500 bursary to the Osoyoos Secondary School and the Dorothy Fraser Music Award for the highest mark in the Conservatory of Canada exams.
2017 Dorothy Fraser Memorial Award Winner
Sue Whittaker, O&D Arts Council Past President presenting to Amy Lucich is this year’s recipient along with her teacher Janet Marcotte – ‘Janet Marcotte Music Studio’
Community Events: The Osoyoos & District Arts Council participates in community events and this past October gave out candy to children in front of the Osoyoos Art Gallery during the “Trick or Treat on Main Street” event.
Funding: The “Quail Family” project by 3 of the Artists on Main was patricianly funded by the Arts Council. The Quail Family has become a major attraction on the lawn of the Osoyoos Arts Centre at the corner of 89th and Main Streets.
Osoyoo Arts Centre
