History
Made in BC is a non-profit pilot developed to support provincial touring of diverse contemporary dance made by BC companies.
March 2004
BC presenters attend a Roundtable organized by the BC Touring Council during Pacific Contact, to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the dance milieu in BC, especially related to touring dance in the province. Statistics provided by community members across BC demonstrate that in 2002, dance performance comprised 0% of the presentation activities in the province. The consensus was that regional presenters need support to overcome barriers in presenting contemporary BC dance.
At Pacific Contact, BC presenters meet with Luce Couture, a regional Québec presenter, who discussed the benefits of La danse sur les routes du Québec as a model.
Made in BC is created by a working group comprised of Barb Clausen (NewWorks), Jim Smith (Eponymous), and Stephen White (Dance Victoria). The working group developed a funding proposal and founded an active Advisory Committee comprised of presenters, dance artists, dance managers, and service organization representatives. With the assistance of the Canada Council and 2010 ArtsNow, BC presenters met with consultant Jay Rankin to discuss their challenges and needs. At the same time, the Made in BC Advisory Committee met to establish the pilot project’s mission, objectives, and to create a job description for hiring its first staff member.
Robyn Campbell is contracted to coordinate the pilot project with the guidance of the Advisory Committee.
Made in BC is “nested” at NewWorks, operating as a self-contained project with a separate year-end. The nesting provides organisational support for Made in BC in its early stages of development. Made in BC has gained from the substantial knowledge and expertise of New Works, maintaining management consultation services from NewWorks’ Executive Producer, Barb Clausen until May 2007.
BC presenters attend a Roundtable organized by the BC Touring Council during Pacific Contact, to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the dance milieu in BC, especially related to touring dance in the province. Statistics provided by community members across BC demonstrate that in 2002, dance performance comprised 0% of the presentation activities in the province. The consensus was that regional presenters need support to overcome barriers in presenting contemporary BC dance.
March 2005
At Pacific Contact, BC presenters meet with Luce Couture, a regional Québec presenter, who discussed the benefits of La danse sur les routes du Québec as a model.
November 2005
Made in BC is created by a working group comprised of Barb Clausen (NewWorks), Jim Smith (Eponymous), and Stephen White (Dance Victoria). The working group developed a funding proposal and founded an active Advisory Committee comprised of presenters, dance artists, dance managers, and service organization representatives. With the assistance of the Canada Council and 2010 ArtsNow, BC presenters met with consultant Jay Rankin to discuss their challenges and needs. At the same time, the Made in BC Advisory Committee met to establish the pilot project’s mission, objectives, and to create a job description for hiring its first staff member.
January 2006
Robyn Campbell is contracted to coordinate the pilot project with the guidance of the Advisory Committee.
November 2005 - August 2006
Made in BC is “nested” at NewWorks, operating as a self-contained project with a separate year-end. The nesting provides organisational support for Made in BC in its early stages of development. Made in BC has gained from the substantial knowledge and expertise of New Works, maintaining management consultation services from NewWorks’ Executive Producer, Barb Clausen until May 2007.
July 2006
Made in BC incorporates as a non-profit society.
The founding Board of Directors are:
- Stephen White (Chair), Producer, Dance Victoria
- Paul Gravett (Treasurer), Exec. Director, Kay Meek Centre (formerly of ArtSpring)
- Heather Lundstrom (Secretary), Past-president, Kitimat Concert Association
- Andrea Gunnlaugson, DTRC/BC Administrator and BC dance artist
- Gina Sufrin, Executive Director, Assembly of BC Arts Councils
September 2007
Paul Gravett is appointed chair and Sandra Thomson (Director of Programming and Development, Port Theatre/Nanaimo) joins the board as Treasurer. All other board members remain the same. These directors have significant experience in management, presenting, dancing, touring, community outreach, and regional contexts of BC.
