Applications Open For The Second-Annual Bell Performing Arts Centre Community Program

The Bell Performing Arts Centre Community Program is accepting applications from local community organizations to host large events free of charge. The deadline for applications is March 31.

For the second year in a row, Bell is inviting community groups to apply for the Bell Performing Arts Centre Community Program, offering three local organizations the chance to take centre stage with their own events for free.

The program is a joint partnership between Bell Canada and the Bell Performing Arts Centre, and offers three awards for eligible organizations, which includes one day of free rental of the venue (up to eight hours), box office services and up to four technicians to work the winning events.

“The goal of the program is to support community organizations in Surrey and the Lower Mainland to use our facilities,” said Vanessa Seco, acting manager of Business Development with Surrey Schools. “It gives these groups and performers an experience that they might not have, and it gives the local community a chance to see some performances right in their backyard on our stage.

“Last year’s events were very successful and popular with people in the area, there was a lot of interest from the community.”

Seco said the program provides an opportunity for groups to host a large event at the venue free of charge, or for smaller organizations to showcase their talents on a bigger stage.

All community organizations are encouraged to apply but preference will be given to suitable not-for-profit or charitable organizations. The program is open to many different types of events, including theatrical plays, musical showcases, speaker series and fundraising galas.

"It can range from a traditional event like a concert or a theatre performance to something like a TED Talk," Seco explained. "It's quite open, and there are a variety of opportunities to showcase the arts."

Last year’s Give Peace a Chance festival, put on by the Global Peace Alliance BC Society, was one of the winning events from the inaugural Bell Performing Arts Centre Community Program. The event featured inspiring speakers, performances by local artists and a panel discussion in the auditorium, while using the lobby to host an Art4Peace exhibit, children’s corner, and cultural sharing space.

The deadline for applications is March 31. A steering committee will select the three winning organizations, with winners announced in April and events booked for dates from July to December 2023.

For more information, visit bellperformingartscentre.com