RCA at 20

Reflecting on twenty years as Kelowna's arts and culture hub

In November 2002, the RCA officially opened its doors to the public. Ever since, we have worked diligently to create positive impacts in our community by delivering a wide range of arts education programs, producing world-class live audience experiences, and maintaining low-cost community art programs that make quality live entertainment accessible to all. Situated on the former site of the Okanagan Grower's Supply Building, our landmark downtown campus is included on the City of Kelowna's Heritage Register and comprises some 44,000 square feet of performance, exhibition, and studio space. That space has played host to spectacular cultural events and stirring exhibitions that have allowed our community of patrons to connect over a shared love of art, culture, and creativity. As we reflect on this remarkable history, we are looking forward to another two decades as Kelowna's arts and culture hub. Join us as we celebrate and build toward an exciting future. 

Our Rotary Centre for the Arts has become a vibrant home away from home where people can come together to celebrate creating and enjoying the arts in the Okanagan.  It wouldn’t be possible without support from people like you.

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History

More than thirty years ago, a visionary group of Okanagan citizens initiated the concept of a new home for visual and performing arts in Kelowna. These people formed the Kelowna Visual and Performing Arts Centre Society (KVPACS) and began collaborating with the City, among others,  to gather support and to initiate a fundraising campaign. The goal was to develop vibrant and dynamic partnerships involving business, local government, and the cultural community to create a major civic facility.

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 1995, Russell Munn donated $200,000 to have the centre’s 326-seat theatre named after his beloved wife, Mary Irwin, and in 1998, Hotson Bakker Architects of Vancouver were chosen to design the community arts centre.

In 1999, Senator Fitzpatrick announced partial funding for the restoration of Kelowna’s historic Growers Supply Building, which would serve as the home of the new community arts centre. In 2000 with 90% of the fundraising completed, the City of Kelowna approved the construction of the building. In recognition of the Rotary Clubs of Kelowna’s contribution of $350,000, the community arts centre was officially named the Rotary Centre for the Arts.

In 2001, Kelowna’s City Council authorized the commencement of all phases of construction of the community arts centre and on November 2, 2002, the Community Arts Centre officially opened its doors to the public.

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Today

We look back at the impact that our Centre has had as a creative hub serving all ages and walks of life. In the past year alone we have seen nearly 200,000 patrons through our doors, have shown art from over 150 local artists, 600 children have attended our art camps, nearly 3,000 youth and adults have taken a class and several thousand patrons have attended a theatre production. Today we have 12 art tenants and a Bistro in our facility that include the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, New Vintage Theatre, Artsco (Arts Council for the Central Okanagan), Theatre Kelowna Society, Potters Addict, Brandy Masch Artist, The Piano Room, The Vocal Studio, The Okanagan Music Collective, Ponderosa Fibre Guild, and now the Roma Nord Bistro, each helping our building come alive. 

“From local galleries to life-size wall murals, a community full of art is a community full of culture. Research has even shown that cities that emphasize art have more civic and social engagement, better child welfare, and even lower poverty rates.” Says Colleen Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, on why art is an integral part of building community. “Arts can help create social and cultural bonds within communities. Arts-based engagement promotes cooperation, awareness of local issues, and the reduction of social isolation, all of which contributes to a shared sense of community pride and identity. Thus, arts and culture can create opportunities for political expression, community dialogue, shared cultural experiences, and civic work. And during the past few challenging years with much isolation from our friends and family, the arts, and arts hubs such as the Rotary Centre, have been imperative in providing safe, accessible and creative spaces during times of isolation when having a creative outlet can not only be enriching, but healing […] I am truly humbled to lead the RCA into the next decade.”