Access to the arts provides strong health and social benefits for our community that enhance quality of life for residents and draw visitors to the area. Nurturing arts, culture and heritage brings considerable economic benefits. Arts and culture generates $5.2 billion annually in BC.
Colwood has a strong arts community and a growing number of opportunities to participate in and enjoy art, music, theatre and dance.
Colwood Events: Beach Food, Eats & Beats and the Seaside Festival
The City of Colwood hosts weekly and seasonal events at the Colwood waterfront featuring performances by live, local musicians, performers and artists, along with favourite local food trucks and fun activities on the sand, sea and sky. Read more about Beach Food Days all summer long; Eats & Beats at the Beach in July and the Colwood Seaside Festival in September.
PACE Musical Theatre Program
Starting as early as kindergarten, children can participate in the PACE Musical Theatre Program (Program for Academic and Creative Enrichment). For the past 20 years, up to 500 students from Kindergarten to grade twelve have rehearsed and performed three major musical theatre productions in the school district each year along with opportunities to perform at community events. Learn more at: www.pacemusical.com
School District 62 Fine Arts
Dunsmuir Middle School and Royal Bay Secondary school each offer arts programs. At Royal Bay Secondary you will find music and band programs, as well as dance academy, drama programs, and film and television courses.
West Shore Arts Council
The West Shore Art Council encourages creative participation and excellence in the arts, creates opportunities to exhibit arts and foster public interest, appreciation and understanding of the arts.
Coast Collective Art Gallery
Coast Collective is a new and different kind of art centre. Beautiful surroundings. An affordable showcase for Fine Art. A place to visit, relax and learn. A place to bring people together to celebrate our rich cultural heritage on the Westshore.
Four Seasons Musical Theatre
Four Seasons Musical Theatre is the Westshore's family theatre, and has provided a place to create and offer good family entertainment since 1975. People of all ages enjoy plays featuring interesting characters involved in compelling stories that incorporate song and dance. Four Seasons also offers volunteer opportunties in all aspects of the theatre.
View Royal Casino Entertainment Venue
In 2017 an Entertainment Venue will be added to the View Royal Casino to showcasing the best in live and local entertainment. The new venue will host special events, presentations, parties and conferences. Learn more at: www.viewroyalcasino.com
Arts education in Colwood
The new high school in Royal Bay will include a theatre and will increase opportunities to learn about and enjoy the arts on the Westshore.
Exploring possibilities: Juan de Fuca Performing Arts Centre Society
The Juan De Fuca Performing Arts Centre Society is a not-for-profit society whose purpose is: "to plan, promote, develop, construct, and operate a performing arts facility that will accommodate a comprehensive range of cultural and community experiences."
The plan envisions a theatre and mixed-use arts, education and wellness complex that would serve the cultural needs of a growing community and diversify sustainable economic development within the region.
Learn more at www.JDFArtsCentre.ca
