Our Mission

Mandate :

The West Shore Arts Council serves the residents of five communities: Langford, Colwood, View Royal, Metchosin and Highlands, which form part of the Capital Regional District on Southern Vancouver Island. The population in our area is currently close to 100,000 and expected to double over the next twenty years. The West Shore Arts Council is the lead advocate for public understanding of, participation in and appreciation of the arts, culture and heritage and their valuable contribution to a vibrant community. In addition to serving the population within our communities, we act as a conduit for information exchange between other arts groups, maximizing opportunities for our members.

Our Mission :

To foster creativity, innovation, collaboration, and diversity of thought through actively engaging Westshore communities in the sharing or their art, culture and heritage in ways that are meaningful to them.

Our Vision :

Connecting the Westshore Community to the diversity of the arts, culture and heritage for all ages and abilities.

Organization :

The West Shore Arts Council is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Arts Council could not exist without its volunteers and if you would like to get to know your fellow Arts Council members better, and have some fun at the same time, please consider volunteering.


West Shore Arts Council Annual General Meetings

Last Meeting:  June 22, 2022 6:30 pm, held on Zoom.

Minutes:  AGM MINUTES – June 2022  (click to download a pdf copy)

 

 

Our Board

Christine Bhopalsingh

Christine Bhopalsingh President of WSAC and Chair

Christine's work experience has criss-crossed both the private and public sectors over the past 27 years. Her most recently held positions as Human Resources Advisor and Senior Human Resources Consultant, have informed her drive to achieving excellence by serving others.

Striving to give back to and broaden leadership in the community realm, she was the President for the India School of Dance, Music and Theatre (Winnipeg MB) from 2010-2014 and Vice president from 2008-2010.

Balancing her career and volunteer aspirations, she is also an artist currently working at the Coast Collective Gallery in Colwood once a month. This mother of three also enjoys playing the violin and writing French poetry. A recent graduate of Royal Roads University, Christine has completed a graduate certificate in Executive Coaching and is also currently working towards an International Human Resources Accreditation. Her thirst for continued personal growth has taken her into evening classes to maintain her intermediate proficiency in French and in achieving her level 3 in Reiki.

Pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone, her recent move to Victoria (August 2013) is paving the road of a new beginnings with abundance and passion for community involvement.

Tara Fenwick

Tara Fenwick Director and Secretary

I recently moved back to BC from the UK, where I was Professor of Professional Education at the University of Stirling. Prior to that I was Professor and Head of Education Studies at the University of British Columbia. I also am a classically trained pianist and choral director, holding a Performers ARCT from the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, and began my career as a collaborative pianist and music director. I bring decades of experience as chair or member of national and institutional boards of governance. My expertise is in initiating, developing and evaluating projects, obtaining and managing grants, conducting and publishing research, and leading project teams. As an educator and researcher I am particularly enthusiastic about fostering connections between different communities, learning and diverse art forms. Now living in Metchosin, I am excited by the opportunities for these connections in the burgeoning art scene of the Westshore communities.

Stephen Green

Stephen Green Director and Treasurer

Greatly inspired by the vibrant love for music and the arts that BC and particularly this island have to offer, Stephen Green joined the Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM) as its Dean (now Chief Artistic and Academic Officer) in 2012. Prior to this Stephen had served for 11 years as Dean and Executive Director of the Royal Conservatory of Music's Community School in Toronto. With the launch of the VCM's first satellite location in 2016, located in Westhills Langford, Stephen also joined the board of the West Shore Arts Council. Stephen is passionate about breaking down the conventional Western practice of compartmentalizing the arts, and encourages creative innovations through collaboration across all art forms.

Stephen holds a Performer's ARCT from the RCM in Toronto, B.Mus. (Conducting) from U of T, and a M.A. (opera, choral, and orchestral conducting) from the University "Mozarteum" in Salzburg, Austria. As an accomplished performer, Stephen has worked as opera chorus director and conductor at the opera in Salzburg, performing on tour across most of Europe, and has taught students of all ages and levels. Originally from Ontario, after studying and working many years in Europe, he returned with his wife and three sons to Toronto, and finally in 2012 to Vancouver Island where he rejoined with his family island roots that date back to the early 1800's.

Staff Members

Steffen Preusser

Steffen Preusser - Operations

Steffen is responsible for the day to day running of the Arts Council. This includes planning and executing events, preparing financial documents and organising grant applications.

Members

Individuals
Businesses
Group

 

Our Sponsors