Board of Directors
& Advisory Council

The Ryga Arts Festival is currently seeking enthusiastic new board members to join our team we are looking for board members who share our commitment to fostering arts and performance in the south Okanagan for diverse voices and being a catalyst for social change. We draw our inspiration from Summerland’s own George Ryga, a playwright, poet and novelist, whose work was driven by his values for social justice.

 The Responsibilities

We are seeking board members committed to the following responsibilities:
1. Working together as a team in line with Ryga Festival’s mission and values;
2. Provide strategic and financial stewardship of the Ryga Arts Festival;
3. Attend monthly board meetings, possibly sub committees where interested, and the Annual General Meetings for a two to three year term;
4. Connect Ryga Arts Festival activities and personnels with individuals and community to grow the festival, and foster and support community sponsors and individual partners and festival donors;
5. Support the performances and festival events through attendance and assistance when possible, with an eye to positive new and existing relationships in diverse communities.

Board members should have skills, interests, or experience in the following areas:
1. Non-profit board governance
2. Financial and accounting
3. Arts production
4. HR
5. Media relations and marketing

No board experience, but a keen interest and willing to learn? Why not shadow an experienced board member and build your community resume?

 The Commitment

The Ryga Arts Festival holds monthly meetings as well as an annual general meeting in October November or December. In addition members may expect  to 4 to 6 hours a month preparing for meetings and communicating board matters in between meetings. Directors shall be elected for two year terms, with a third year to transfer skills to their board position protégé.

How to Join the Ryga Arts Festival Board:
Please send an email expression of interest to our festival GM, Trista Bassett, at gm@rygafest.ca.

We will follow up to request further information about your intent, interest, and experience. Thank you in advance for considering this amazing opportunity to bring our community professionally led socially conscious art and performance to Summerland and the South and Central Okanagan and Similkameen.

Board of Directors

Cal Meiklejohn
President
Dorthea Atwater
Vice-President
Caroline McKay
Secretary
Jennifer Cockrall-King
Treasurer
Kim Stansfield
Director-at-Large
Donna Wong-Juliani
Member-at-Large
Dawn Bassett
Member-at-Large
Peter Hay
Member-at-Large

Advisory Council

Ann Mortifee
Advisor
Victor Davies
Advisor
Don Rubin
Advisor
Gina Payzant
Advisor
Tanya Ryga
Advisor

MArKETING TEAM

Allison Markin
Communications
Anne Ramey
Digital Content
Erin Cronie
Website Developer
Ava Schrader  
Admin Assistant
Artist picture of Trista Bassett

Trista Bassett

General Manager

As an artist, musician and performer, Trista was thrilled to be invited to join the Ryga Arts Festival team as Festival Administrator in 2021. She has since been promoted to General Manager and looks forward to a fantastic year ahead. Trista brings to the festival a deep love of the arts and years of experience as the previous Executive Director of Gallery Vertigo in Vernon. She would like to thank the Summerland and Okanagan communities for continuing to support this amazing and unique festival.

Funders, Sponsors & Partners

We gratefully acknowledge the help and support of all our members in making the Ryga Arts Festival possible.

Funders

Government of Canada LogoBritish Columbia Art Council logoGovernment of British Columba logoSouth Okanagan and Simikameem Community Foundation logo
United Way logo

Sponsors

Nummerland logoSummerland Review logoSLCD logoAll She Wrote logoSummerGate Winery logoSaxon Winery logo
Thornhaven Estates logoHeaven's Gate logoNesters Market logoOkanagan Regional Library logoTn Whistle Brewing logoSummerland Chamber of Commerce logoSummerland Review logoLeigon logoLightning Rock logo
Waypoint Raymond James logo
Bella Vita logoBakehouse logoSass Boutique logoGrant Thornton logo

Community Partners

Summerland Arts logocfuz 92.9 fm logo
SM&A logoOkanagan Regional Library logoSummerland Chamber of Commerce logoSummerland Singers and Players logoGiants Head Brewing logoLunessence Winery logoDetonate Brewing logoSummergate logo
Nesters Market logo
Cannery Brewing Logo
Oak Estates Logo
SBC logoTn Whistle Brewing logo

We invite you to become a Ryga Arts Festival Partner!

Please complete the form below to submit an inquiry, and we will be in touch shortly. To view more information about each level, download the document here.

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