NOTICE TO MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY
Arts Denman Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Monday, May 4,  7pm at the Arts Centre

All members and community friends are warmly encouraged to attend.

Call for a New Chair for Arts Denman

Denman Island’s arts community is vibrant, diverse, and deeply rooted in volunteer spirit. From music to literature, from dance to fibre arts, our island overflows with creativity that enriches residents and visitors alike. At the heart of this cultural life stands Arts Denman, a volunteer-driven nonprofit that for decades has supported artistic expression, connected artists with audiences, and helped nurture the cultural fabric of our island.

Founded in 1985 as the Denman Island Arts & Crafts Society, Arts Denman has long been a quiet but steady champion of creativity here. Its mission, to foster cultural activities and facilities, provide gallery and performance spaces, and advance arts education, is reflected in the remarkable range of organisations and initiatives that now form the Arts Denman family.

Together these groups reflect the breadth and vitality of artistic life on Denman:

• The Arts Centre: a welcoming hub for gallery exhibitions and special arts events.
• Audio Arts Collective: hosting open mic nights and performance opportunities for musicians and writers.
• Baroque Festival: bringing the beauty of baroque music into island life.
• Community Arts: commissioning and installing public artworks by Denman artists in shared spaces across the island.
• Concerts Denman: presenting musical performances that bring people together in our halls.
• Creative Threads Conspiracy: gathering makers, weavers, and fibre artists in shared creativity.
• Inner Island Dance Collective: celebrating movement and dance as a form of expression and connection.
• Readers and Writers Festival: bringing writers and readers together for conversation and inspiration.
• Summer Art Gallery: showcasing the work of island artists each summer.
• Theatre Denman: supporting theatrical arts that animate our community spaces.

Each organisation has its own character and community, yet all flourish under the umbrella of Arts Denman’s coordination and shared vision for arts on the island.

At the centre of this collaborative network is leadership grounded in generosity and service. For many years, that leadership has been embodied by our current Board Chair, Michael Rapati, one of Denman’s most cherished community members. Michael is someone who shows up, for neighbours, for projects, for community life. He brings people together with warmth, humour, and a genuine spirit of care. Many of us have experienced that reassuring sense that if something needs doing, Michael will be there helping to make it happen.

Alongside Michael’s steady leadership, Treasurer Kathy Rapati has played an equally important role behind the scenes. With diligence, care, and thoughtful attention to the details that keep organisations healthy, she has helped ensure the financial stability and accountability that allow this diverse arts community to flourish.

Together, Michael’s service as Chair and Kathy’s stewardship as Treasurer have helped sustain a complex and vibrant network of arts organisations that enrich the cultural life of Denman Island. On behalf of the community, we extend our deep appreciation for their dedication, generosity, and years of service.

As Michael’s and Kathy’s chapter comes to a close, Arts Denman begins a new one. The Board is now seeking a new Chair to help guide the organisation into its next phase.

What does the Chair do?

The Chair serves as the elected leader of the Arts Denman Board, helping provide governance oversight and strategic direction while supporting a healthy and collaborative board culture. The role also involves nurturing relationships with partner organisations, volunteers, funders, and community members.

In many ways, the Chair is a connector, an ambassador, and a steward—someone who cares about Denman’s creative life and enjoys helping people work together to make good things happen.

If you love Denman’s arts community, believe in the power of community-based creativity, and feel inspired to help guide the next chapter of Arts Denman, we warmly invite you to consider stepping forward as the next Chair of the Board.

Denman’s arts community is resilient, inventive, and full of possibility. With thoughtful leadership and continued volunteer spirit, it will continue to thrive for many years to come.

To learn more about the Chair’s role, express your interest or nominate someone, and for further details about the AGM, please visit artsdenman.org or email artsdenman@gmail.com.