A West Vancouver performing arts centre is getting a boost from both sponsors and volunteers.
The Kay Meek Centre, run primarily by volunteers, has received donations above the national average. The average donation to the centre during their annual campaign for the 2012/13-year was around $205, more than the national average arts donation for 2010 at $141.
"Fundraising is something that anybody in my business is constantly concerned about and constantly doing, and certainly the Kay Meek Centre is no exception to that rule," said Claude Giroux, executive director of the Kay Meek Centre. "Our sponsors are also a very valuable part of our organization."
The centre currently has approximately 34 corporate and individual season sponsors.
Giroux, who presented the centre's latest numbers to West Vancouver council on Oct. 7, said volunteers have also been a big part of the centre's success.
"Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. Last year 6,083 hours were given to us by our volunteers, over 1,738 shifts," said Giroux. "We have over 120 volunteers and they welcomed over 54,000 people to the Kay Meek Centre last year."
Giroux said the biggest portion of the centre's audience members come from West Vancouver at around 44 per cent, while the second largest draw is from North Vancouver at 35 per cent. He said they have seen an increase in those from over the bridge, with Vancouver audience members at around 10 per cent.
"I think one of the things that just strikes me is Kay Meek is really part of the soul of this community," said Coun. Michael Lewis.
Giroux said he is determined to keep public interest in the centre going.
"I don't think anything that's worth doing is worth doing any which way but 100 per cent all the time," said Giroux "I do think live performing arts is going through a change, a tangible change."
Giroux said that he and the Kay Meek Centre board have discussed and continue to discuss the importance of engaging audiences and the community.
"Everything that we do can be seen for nothing on a computer, and so what we have to provide is an experience that stands outside of that particular notion," said Giroux. "I think we're succeeding on many levels."
He said having the audiences feel at home is also important.
"I think that the connection you can make with an artist and their work in our building rather than on your computer is something that's also tangible," said Giroux. "We just have to continue to understand how that is and understand better how to message our audiences about that."
