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June 3, 2024

2024 Performing Arts Bursary Applications Invited

VERNON, BC—With the excitement of rolling-out our upcoming 2024-25 SPOTLIGHT Season, the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society (VDPAC), is once again offering Performing Arts Bursaries as part of the Society's annual Bursary Program for 2024.

Students from Vernon, Coldstream or Electoral Areas B or C who are entering into, or returning to full-time studies at a university, college, or technical school majoring in an accredited Performing Arts or Performing Arts Management program; and those students already registered in a recognized apprenticeship program in the Performing Arts or Performing Arts Management are eligible to apply.

This year’s program has a new, earlier deadline: Bursary applications must be received at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre by 12:00am, Midnight, Wednesday, July 15, 2024.

“The earlier application deadline will allow us to publicly announce this year’s recipients as part of our SPOTLIGHT Season’s opening show and 23rd Annual Birthday Bash on September 18th,” says executive director, Jim Harding. Ballet Kelowna, featuring Vernon’s own Cameron Fraser-Monroe’s The Cowboy Act Suite & Other Works, will open VDPAC’s 2024-25 SPOTLIGHT Season.

“Cameron is a past two-time VDPAC Performing Arts Bursary recipient,” says Harding, “So we thought it was a great way to launch our 23rd season, and at the same honour the success of a local, former bursary program recipient.”

Updated Bursary Program guidelines and application form are available for download at: vdpac.ca/2024 Bursary Program

“For graduating Grade 12 students applying to post-secondary Music, Theatre, Dance, Technical or other Performing Arts programs, this year’s July 15th deadline may pre-date some students’ formal notice of acceptance from their institutions,” says Harding. “But these students are still invited to apply. We have made a provision in the guidelines allowing these students to submit their official confirmation as soon as it is received.”

VDPAC has awarded multiple $1,000 Performing Arts Bursaries each of the past few years “to assist and promote area students in their pursuit of post-secondary education and careers in the Performing Arts.”

Bursaries are traditionally made possible by the generosity of Performing Arts Centre patrons from tips collected at VDPAC’s Bar & Concession and lower level Coatcheck Gallery.

“We are always looking for ways to expand our bursary program,” says Harding. “We are grateful for the support of our patrons with gratuities, but we are also open to memorial gifts, legacy donations & corporate sponsorships for our program—all with ‘naming’ opportunities for annual bursaries—to be able to help out more performing arts students from the area.”

The Board of Directors’ 3-director Bursary Committee will review all applications and make award recommendations to the full Board, including the number and amounts of 2024 Performing Arts bursaries, on July 31.

The annual Bursary Program is a key part of the VDPAC Society’s ongoing youth engagement initiatives, which also includes summer student employment opportunities; youth FOH and apprentice tech volunteers; student ‘community hours’ opportunities; the “Student RUSH: Live for Five” discount ticket program expanded to include post-secondary students; and other youth camps and outreach activities.

Recipients of $1,000 Performing Arts Bursaries in 2023 were: Kady Brandel, (1st year, BFA in Theatre Production & Design, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC); Anastasia Lutsenko, (1st year, BMus – Vocal Performance, UBC, Vancouver, BC); and Amelia (Amy) Cuthbertson, (1st year, Production Design & Technical Arts, National Theatre Scholl, Montreal, QC). Students may be awarded two VDPAC Performing Arts bursaries over their post-secondary career.

To Apply: Visit the Society’s website: vdpac.ca/AbouttheSociety/BursaryProgram to download the 2024 Bursary Guidelines and Application Form, including required support documentation.

Public announcement of 2024 Performing Arts Bursary recipients will be made September 18, 2024 as part of VDPAC’s 23rd Annual Birthday Bash presentation, Ballet Kelowna’s The Cowboy Act Suite & Other Works.

Inquiries about VDPAC’s Bursary Program, or to sponsor a bursary or to donate to the program, should be directed to the executive director at: [email protected].

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Contact: Jim Harding, Executive Director

Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society

Tel: 250-542-9355 Email: [email protected]