Located in the heart of Kelowna’s Cultural District, the Rotary Centre for the Arts is a multidisciplinary visual and performing arts and cultural centre.

We continually strive to improve the economic, cultural and social quality of life in the community by fostering the participation in, and appreciation of the arts.

As a premiere venue celebrating creative expression through diverse art forms and disciplines, the Rotary Centre for the Arts is a unique City of Kelowna facility in which individuals of all ages and backgrounds can come together to share in the excitement of strengthening art and culture in the Okanagan.

Our Vision

Enrich our communities as a space dedicated to nurturing, promoting and presenting the creative arts.

The Rotary Centre for the Arts aspires to be the heartbeat of our communities, dedicated to nurturing, promoting, and presenting the creative arts. Our vision is to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive environment where individuals from all walks of life can immerse themselves in the transformative power of artistic expression. Through engaging exhibitions, performances, workshops, and educational initiatives, we seek to enrich the lives of our community members, fostering a deeper sense of connection, understanding, and appreciation for the arts. By championing creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange, we aim to inspire individuals to explore their own creativity while fostering a vibrant and thriving arts ecosystem that uplifts and unites us all.

Our Mission

RCA empowers artists and communities through inclusive and transformative force of creative expression.

The mission of the Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA) is to serve as a dynamic hub where artists and communities converge, finding empowerment and inspiration through the inclusive and transformative force of creative expression. By providing a welcoming and supportive environment, RCA facilitates the exploration of diverse artistic endeavours, fostering collaboration, dialogue, and understanding among individuals from all walks of life. Through our programming and outreach efforts, we aim to not only nurture the talents of artists but also strengthen the bonds within our communities, catalyzing positive change and enriching lives through the power of art.

Strategic Plan 2024 - 2027

It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that we unveil the Rotary Centre for the Arts' new three-year strategic plan for 2024-2027. Rooted in our commitment to fostering creativity, inclusivity, and community engagement, this plan charts a course for the future that builds upon our rich history and propels us toward even greater heights.

To view full strategic plan, click here.

Our Core Values

  • Create: We create and sustain opportunities for creative expression for all sectors of our community.
  • Connect: We connect innovative learning opportunities and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences. We embrace accessibility, openness, respect, and inclusivity, fostering interdisciplinary and intercultural connections.
  • Engage: We engage artists, community members and patrons of the arts to create, collaborate, share, envision, learn, and be inspired.
  • Nurture: We nurture diverse artistic disciplines to empower the community in their creative and artistic endeavors.

History

Officially opened on November 2, 2002, the Rotary Centre for the Arts is a multi-purpose venue designed to accommodate special events, theatre, music and visual arts. The space on which the Rotary Centre for the Arts now sits was once home to the historical Growers Supply Building.

During the early 1990s, the need for an arts facility became increasingly evident. With cultural tourism on the rise, the Kelowna Visual and Performing Arts Centre Society (KVPACS) wanted to see the old Growers Supply building turned into a cultural centre for amateur arts and commercial businesses related to the arts.

Their vision became a reality in 1993 when the Kelowna City council agreed to a feasibility study to be carried out on the old Growers Supply Building. In 1998, Hotson Bakker Architects of Vancouver were chosen to design the Rotary Centre for the Arts and by 2001 its construction was complete.

Named after the Central Okanagan Rotary Clubs, the Rotary Centre for the Arts is the hub of Kelowna’s arts and cultural scene. By enhancing the existing former Growers Supply warehouse with a studio, rehearsal space, a bistro and small retail spaces, the RCA remains a part of Kelowna’s industrial past while embracing its status as a modern, multi-purpose arts and performance centre.

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Our Impact Annually

230,000 Visitors annually

29,000 Tickets sold to events last year

4,900 Youth Arts Students annually

  • 2,450 building bookings for almost 17,000 hours of usage
  • We hire 150+ artists and instructors every year to deliver community programs
  • 60+ volunteers donate over 2,000 hours of their time
  • RCA Presents season tripled its audience
  • Our budget is just under $1 Million and only 28% comes from government grants

Thank you to our countless volunteers & supporters. 

The Rotary Centre for the Arts exists thanks to those who served on committees and boards, and supported feasibility studies and fundraisers over the past years.
 

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