oook’s newest contributor, Nicole Ensing, who is currently the program coordinator at the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan (ARTSCO), took the opportunity to sit down with ARTSCO Executive Director Elke Lange to talk about ARTSCO and all that it does for the arts in the central Okanagan

NE: What is the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan (ARTSCO)?

EL: The Arts Council of the Central Okanagan is a non-profit organization that is the underlying support for anything and everything that is art.
What is art you may ask? It’s not just paintings, its way more than that! It includes writing, music, sculptures, printmaking, media arts, dance, theatre, design and the list goes on!
Art is culture, entertainment, recreation, lifestyle and worldview.
Actually The arts include all! The arts include you!

NE: What does your job as Executive Director at the Arts council of the Central Okanagan entail?

EL: I wear many hats here at ARTSCO, my main function here at ARTSCO is to ensuring continuity and sustainability for the organization and its initiatives in the community.

NE: How did the Arts Council come to be?

EL: The Arts Council of the Central Okanagan was originally known as Kelowna and District Arts Council and was founded in 1953. Unfortunately it faltered after seven years due to a lack of facilities. In 1966 a community initiative was launched to re-establish Kelowna and District Arts Council this was led by the Federation of University Woman, on June 6, 1966 Kelowna and District Arts Council was incorporated with the help of a grant from the Koerner Foundation and provincial Parks and Recreation Department. The Arts Council of the Central Okanagan has been proudly serving the community ever since.

NE: What does the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan do?

EL: The Arts Council of the Central Okanagan has been the starting point for several successful artists and art organizations in our region. ARTSCO supports, advocates, strengthens and promotes all art disciplines and traditions.
ARTSCO works hard behind the scenes to maintain and enrich the cultural life in our community. Some examples of important community contributions include:
Working to save the Laurel and the Growers’ building for the community.
Lobbied to have the Arts included in the school curriculum.
Lobbied successfully to have the Arts included in the Official Community Plan.
Lobbied to establish the CBC radio, as well as arts radio programming to this area
Annually awarding Honour in the Arts certificates to deserving Arts students in School District #23.

NE: Where can we see the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan in action?

EL: Through our programs and events such as:
Youth Council
Arts Ambassadors
Networking Luncheons
Artscape
Mad Hatter
Okanagan Arts Awards

NE: How does the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan do all that it does?

EL: With a big thanks to our members, donors and volunteers who make it all possible!

NE: What is coming up next for the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan?

EL: Our next event is the Launch party on October 6, 2011 at the Kelowna Art Gallery leading up to our fifth annual Okanagan Arts Awards on February 25, 2012. Although this is some time away, we have already put a call out for nominations for the Okanagan Arts Awards. Come celebrate excellence in the arts throughout the Okanagan Valley, These awards serve to underline the importance of the arts to the people and communities of the Okanagan and to recognize outstanding achievement by groups and individuals in the arts. Nominate someone you think is deserving of an Okanagan Arts Award!

NE: How can we get in touch with the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan if we would like to get involved, become a member or would like to pick up a nomination package?

EL: Come visit us at: 203 – 1905 Evergreen Court in Kelowna, B.C.
You can read more about us at www.artsco.ca
Call us at: (250) 861 – 4123
Email us at: info@artsco.ca or memberservices@artsco.ca

To download a nomination package go to our website: www.artsco.ca/awards