Mission, Vision & History
Located in the heart of Kelowna’s Cultural District, the Rotary Centre for the Arts is a multidisciplinary visual and performing arts 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 Mission
To celebrate, nurture, and promote the Arts through diversity, entertainment, and education.
Our Vision
To be the heart of Kelowna’s Arts and Cultural experience.
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.
Our Core Values
- Diversity: Our strength relies on the diversity of people, ideas, perspectives and cultural backgrounds in our work, programming and team.
- Collaboration: With artists and arts organizations, governments, community partners, and businesses in pursuit of mutual goals and richer cultural experiences.
- Access: Provide the opportunity for all people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to actively engage and participate in the Arts.
- Excellence: Maintain the highest standards of programming, professionalism, financial management, and leadership across board, staff and volunteer members.
- Education: Advance Arts education through fostering creativity, ongoing innovation, outreach, multicultural offerings, and supporting SD23 curriculum.
- Advocacy: We advocate for a social environment that values and supports artists and arts organizations, and encourages excellence in all art forms.
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.