The 2023 Arts Champions Summit, "Growing Together," focused on learning from each other's experiences and knowledge. The summit was an opportunity to celebrate the lessons learned and progress made by arts communities in the capital region over the past few years, and to identify challenges and discuss the opportunities that lie ahead. Activities included: presentations from the region's arts community, facilitated engagement sessions exploring the sector's needs, and time to socialize with colleagues and make new connections. The input from summit activities directly informed the development of the Arts Service's 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.

• Read the What We Heard Report - 2023 (PDF)
• Read the Arts & Culture 2024-2027 Strategic Plan (PDF)
• Visit the GetInvolved webpage for event details, photos, presentation slides and more.

The online 2021 Arts Champions Summit was centered on the development of a more equitable arts region. The event was an opportunity to celebrate the work of arts organizations and members of the arts embedded in equity-seeking communities through presentations and a panel, and featured an interview with Jesse Wente, Chair of Canada Council for the Arts.

• Read the What We Heard Report: 2021 Arts Champions Summit (PDF)

Summit Recordings:

• Part One: Welcome and PechaKucha Presentations (video with closed captioning)
  Remarks from Arts Commission Chair Jeremy Loveday, and PechaKucha presentations by Tiffany Tjosvold (Embrace Arts Foundation), Mercedes Bátiz-Benét (Puente Theatre), and Kenji Maeda (Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance; artsvest BC), with a moderated Q&A.
• Part Two: Interview with Canada Council Chair Jesse Wente (video with ASL interpretation and closed captioning)
  A wide-ranging conversation between Jesse Wente (Chair of Canada Council for the Arts) and Cathi Charles Wherry (Special Advisor of First Peoples' Cultural Council) on the future of the arts.
• Part Three: Panel and Intro to EDI Subcommittee (video with ASL interpretation and closed captioning)
  Exploring the topic ‘What are the big changes needed to make the arts equitable?’ with Regan Shrumm, Charles Campbell, Sarah Jim and Sean Guist moderated by Kenji Maeda and an introduction from EDI subcommittee chair Cris Caravaca.

'One Region - the Collaboration Effect' brought together arts champions from across the capital region in 2018 to reflect on the cultural moment we create and work in. The event was an opportunity for artists, cultural workers, municipal staff and elected officials to share experiences and connect. Input from the summit also informed the CRD Arts & Culture Support Service Strategic Implementation Plan.

• Pecha Kucha presentations (video playlist)
• CRD Arts Update with Q&A (video)
• Graphic recording (PDF)
• What We Heard: 2018 Summit Report (PDF)