Funds raised through the Cranbrook Youth Arts Centre Society are being passed on to support a project that will benefit youth developing their creative side.

Back in 2009, a group of students and staff at Cranbrook’s Mount Baker Secondary School (MBSS) started talking about the idea of a youth arts centre in the city where young artists in a variety of genres could explore and showcase their work and their passion.

Out of this came the formation of the Cranbrook Youth Arts Centre Society, an unregistered non-profit group seeking to provide a space and opportunities for young people interested in the arts.

Others from the community-at-large became involved, and enthusiasm built as the committee explored possible buildings and funding avenues to make it all happen. Many people, including several youth committee members, lent their time, energy and imagination to plan and fundraise towards creating a youth arts centre. A number of venues were looked at, but ultimately nothing suitable and financially viable was found.

Now, the society board has decided that it is time to put to use the money that was fundraised for a youth arts centre. After communication with the fine arts education team at Mount Baker Secondary, the CYACS board is pleased to transfer an amount of $5,918.95 to the school’s fine arts department. The MBSS arts department has plans to put the money into creating a space that will be used to showcase student work, and could include staging as well as display areas.

Cranbrook is extremely fortunate to have a team of very passionate, talented and enthusiastic arts educators at the high school, and those on the board of CYACS, which will cease to exist upon transfer of the funds, are excited to see the new arts showcase space at MBSS once it is completed.

Submitted by Colleen Osiowy

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