Programs + Initiatives

GVPTA's annual industry event offers attendees the chance to listen, learn, and delve into discussions with colleagues, friends and new acquaintances, all of whom are passionate about theatre. 

This year, we're shifting from a traditional conference format in response to the evolving needs of our community. We're pleased to announce two independent offerings:

• An online day of industry panels and conversations online on Monday, June 17;
• An in-person day focused on the theme of restoration and nourishment for the theatre community, Monday, June 24 at the BMO Theatre Centre, 162 West 1st Ave, Vancouver. 

We hope you'll save the dates and plan to join us. Watch our newsletter for further details and registration information in the weeks ahead. 

• Boomer Stacey
  Boomer first joined PACT in 2010 and, after serving the organization in a variety of positions, transitioned to the role of PACT’s Executive Director in 2019. As he is currently the outgoing ED at PACT, he is also Artistic Producer at Boca del Lupo and an Artistic Advisor at the New Victory Theater in New York City. Boomer has also provided leadership for the International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) based in Philadelphia, PA, as Executive Director, as well as Artistic Director of the Milk International Children’s Festival of the Arts at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. Boomer exhibits nomadic tendencies, is a social introvert, loves to cook, excels at gazing into campfires and lives to explore the coastlines of the world.
• Kenji Maeda
  Kenji’s experiences are diverse and grounded in his passion for the arts, education, and building community, and influenced by his Uchinanchu heritage. In addition to his role at GVPTA, Kenji is the Project Director for SEARA (Sector Equity for Anti-Racism in the Arts), and an arts and culture consultant. He currently sits on the board of Mass Culture, a national organization where research and the cultural sector intersect, and an alum of the Banff Centre's Cultural Leadership Program. He loves spreadsheets, chewy chocolate chip cookies, and his husband, Alan.
  

11:00am–4:00pm - In person

• Sliding scale pricing (from $0–$75+GST) to accommodate a range of financial needs and reduce barriers to participation. Fees go toward financially supporting other theatre artists and workers to attend the conference. (Registration has closed)
  
• Up to 20 individuals were paid $200 each to attend the conference, and offer a brief post-conference reflection to GVPTA. 
  
• Priority given to individuals who require financial support in order to attend the conference. 
• The names of those selected will not be shared publicly.
• Initial closing date to submit an application will be 4pm, Thursday, June 15, as initial batch of invitations will be sent out on Friday, June 16.
• Applications will be accepted after June 15, if spots are still available.
• Questions can be directed to executive director Kenji Maeda at kenji@gvpta.ca.
  
  

• Organizations: Initiatives and case studies that explore equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Communities: Understanding community context to strengthen the sector
  
• Governance: Strategies for rethinking equitable and impactful policies and practices

• Access, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (ADEI) in Cultural Organizations: Challenges and Opportunities (presentation) – Antonio C. Cuyler, Florida State University, University of Michigan, Cuyler Consulting;
  
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives in the Administration and Editorial Policies of Canadian Book Publishers (presentation) – Eric Lyall Nelson, Ph. D. (part-time professor, University of Ottawa);
• Understanding Civic Impact Through the Lens of Indigenous Cultural Knowledge  (presentation) - (Emily Carr University of Art + Design) Sydney Pickering, Connie Watts, Nadia Beyzaei;
• Closing the Gap in Canada’s Live Music Industry (panel) – Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility; Demystifying Organizational Policy Writing (presentation)– Grégoire Gagnon (Cultural Human Resources Council);
• Reimagining Funding (panel) - Jordan Baylon, Krystal Paraboo, Stephanie Falcon (Vancouver Foundation), Jiv Parasram (moderator)
• Universal Accessibility of Museums: A Balance Between Aestheticism and Human Encounter (presentation) – Aude Porcedda (Professor, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières);
• EDI as a driver of change: when the municipality makes a difference(presentation) - Paul-Antoine Martel (City of Val-d’Or)
• Broadening Collection Practices for Greater Inclusion in Art Museums (presentation)– Mélanie Boucher (Professor, Université du Québec en Outaouais);
• What does the future hold for EDI in the cultural sector? (panel) - Julien Doris (moderator); Vivek Venkatesh (Director of the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance (CSLP), Concordia University, Professor of Inclusive Visual Arts Practices in the Department of Art Education); Rhonda Doxtator (First Peoples Innovation Centre); Karla Etienne (Canadian Dance Assembly); Yusuf Saadi;
• The Road Ahead for the Visual Arts, Heritage, and Cultural Spaces (panel) - Brian McBay (221A; moderator), Emelie Chhangur (Agnes Etherington Art Centre), Devyani Saltzman, Michelle Sound;
• The Brilliance and Realities in Rural and Non-Urban Communities (panel) - Ovvian Castrillo Hill, Carla Stephenson (Rural Inclusion Lab) (moderator), Colin Wolf (Gwaandak Theatre).