Announcing the 2024 BCTC Award Recipients

Congratulations to the nominees and recipients of the 2024 BCTC Awards! 
The awards were presented on Saturday, April 13, in Kelowna.
For a list of nominees, visit this link.

Artist/Artistic Company: Ballet Kelowna

Presented by Aaron Schubert, BCTC Board Member, accepted by Simone Orlando, Artistic Director and CEO
The nominators wrote:
Over the past decade, the ballet world has undergone rapid transformation led by a new generation of visionary Artistic Directors. Several regional ballet companies have evolved and earned their place among those actively commissioning some of the most innovative dance creations in Canada. Among these trailblazing companies is the winner of tonight’s award.

This company stands as a significant representation of the profound artistic excellence within our province.

Artists Rep (Agent/Manager): Sandra Smith, Plaid People Music, Smithers

Presented and accepted by Kym Gouchie, Indigenous Cultural Liaison/BCTC Board Member and Lynnda McDougall, BCTC Board member
The winner of this Award is someone who is not just an agent but someone who supports her artists through the many ups and downs in their personal lives, acting as management and even designing graphics. Over the years, she has written many successful touring travel grants and has always been just a phone call or text away. She is worthy of many awards, but I am thrilled she is receiving this one, as she just announced that she has to step away from the agency to take care of her health and well-being.

Festival of the Year: Coldsnap Festival, Prince George

Presented by Lynnda McDougall, BCTC Board Member
Accepted by Sue Judge, Executive Director of the Prince George Folkfest Society

The Coldsnap Festival in Prince George deserves this Award because, first of all, they are brave enough to hold a festival in Northern BC in the Winter! They also do impactful advocacy work, such as supporting Canadian Artists for Reconciliation and Education (C.A.R.E.) and advocacy. Their team works hard to participate in activities that benefit the sector as a whole.

Presenter of the Year -Venue/Theatre: Galen Olstead, Key City Theatre, Cranbrook

Presented by Lynnda McDougall, BCTC Board Member
Their colleagues said…I have had the pleasure of working with this Presenter over many years, and it has been a pleasure to see the broad scope of their work and expertise, the quality of their programming, and how their involvement with BCTC has all expanded and deepened. He has demonstrated commitment, dedication, smarts and hard work.

They present a lot of shows and seem to manage it all with ease. They take risks with regards to programming all while managing a venue and being the heart of performing arts in Cranbrook.

Presenter of the Year – Volunteer: Eileen Floody, West Coast Winter Music Society, Tofino

Presented by Lynnda McDougall, Bulkley Valley Concert Assoc., Smithers/BCTC Board Member, Accepted by Deb Renz/BCTC Board Chair
The winning Presenter has brought a stellar array of artists to their community for over 20 years. They have worked hard to put the wild west coast of Vancouver Island on the map for something other than whale watching and surfing. They have taken risks and supported Island touring. Sadly, they have made the tough decision to wrap up presenting. But this Presenter and her crew have gone many extra miles to keep their organization going in recent years. They will be missed by all the Islanders. 

Touring Award of Excellence Doug Cox

Presented by Deb Renz, Chair, BCTC, Accepted by Tom Landa
The winner is the Artistic Director of Vancouver Island Music Fest, where he has been for nearly 25 years. He has grown the festival from a half-day to three days with more than 20,000 people attending.
On the heels of COVID, Doug also overtook the programming of a floundering community venue in Courtenay (the Old Church Theatre). He made it a vibrant place to hear live music in an intimate setting year-round.
More than that, Doug has been an event producer/presenter (and touring musician) for 40 years. He is also a teacher, mentor and advocate for many young musicians. 

Raising Curtains: Bill Usher

Presented by Deb Renz, Sid Williams Theatre, Courtenay/Chair, BCTC
Bill’s career as a musician, writer, performer and producer spans over 50 years. He has worked with hundreds of artists and organizations along the way. He is a self-taught drummer who has won multiple Juno awards and played and recorded with well-known artists, from Bruce Cockburn and Ronnie Hawkins to Valdy and Stan Rogers. Since 2002, he has made his home in Golden, BC and put his career experiences into practice first as the Board Chair and then as the Executive & Artistic Director of Kicking Horse Culture. He recently retired from this position and is touring with his band, the Space Heaters.

Best Booth in the Contact Room

Each year at Pacific Contact, we award the Best Booth Award to recognize the creativity of exhibitors in the Contact Room. The winner receives a free ad in next year’s printed conference program.

This year’s winner is Rhythm by Nature from Radium Hot Springs. Congratulations!

Thank you to the Awards Committee

BCTC would like to thank this year’s awards committee, which includes Deb Renz, Kym Gouchie, and Lynnda McDougall.