Creative Okanagan’s vision is to build community by connecting audiences and performing artists through impactful, accessible, unique experiences that promote community wellness.
2012
Highlights
Music in the Park West Kelowna series begins running Fridays in July and August.
2013
Highlights
* Music in the Park West Kelowna July/August
* Talented Kids with judges Noel Wentworth, Ryan Donn, Renata Mills, and George Tozer. All participants were offered mentoring, top ten offered performance opportunities w/ Parks Alive!, Music in the Park, Fat Cat Children’s Festival, Canada Day Kelowna, and Lake Country Open Air series.
* Kelowna Has Talent: 6-week open mic style competition @ Freddy’s Brew pub w/ adjudication panel for feedback / evaluation.
* Global Music Fest: In partnership with the Intercultural Society, a two-night ticketed event at the Laurel Packinghouse with venue co-partners timeDrive & GenNext.
2014
Highlights
* Music in the Park West Kelowna July/August
* Talented Kids – competition year 2.
* Kelowna Has Talent: 6-week open mic style competition year 2.
* Global Music Fest: year 2
* Artist Development Workshops supporting local performing artists.
2015
Highlights
* Music in the Park West Kelowna July/August
* Talented Kids – year 3
* Vernon Canada Day: Partnered w/ Vernon Canada Day committee, programmed performance stage for festival.
* West Kelowna World Music Festival: Free festival with strong emphasis on kids/family activities and musical programming
* Artist Development Workshops supporting local performing artists.
2016
Highlights
* Music in the Park West Kelowna July/August
* West Kelowna World Music Festival: year 2
* Artist Development Workshops supporting local performing artists.
2017
Highlights
* Music in the Park West Kelowna July/August
* West Kelowna World Music Festival: year 3
* Inside the Festival: Partner w/ Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival. Included jury of submissions, two performance opportunities @ festival, meet + greet with Artistic Director, onsite mentoring and media advocacy by a Creative Okanagan representative.
* Artist Development Workshops supporting local performing artists.
2018
Highlights
* Music in the Park West Kelowna July/August
* West Kelowna World Music Festival: year 4
* Inside the Festival: year 2
* Artist Development Workshops supporting local performing artists.
* Youth Concert for City of West Kelowna. Working with team of students from West Kelowna to create free outdoor concert at Memorial Park aimed at 12 – 18 year crowd.
* BreakOut West Music Industry Conference – non profit community host of the showcase festival, and Western Canadian Awards Show in Kelowna October 10 – 14, 2018.
2019
Highlights
* Music in the Park West Kelowna July/August
* Inside the Festival: year 3
* Artist Development Workshops supporting local performing artists.
* Global Music Fest: Produced on behalf of Global Citizen Kelowna, February 23, Creekside Theatre.
* Play It UP! Artist Development Program: Giving youth performing artists an opportunity to grow as performers outside of school, post-secondary or traditional lessons and build relationships in the entertainment industry.
* Central Okanagan Cultural Tour: Four-day music industry tour of Okanagan cultural spaces in Vernon, Lake County, Kelowna, Summerland, Penticton & Oliver. Out of region music industry participants, national booking agents and professional promoters provided expertise and created relationships with Okanagan venues, presenters and promoters.
* Recipient: Greater Westside Board of Trade Key Business Award – Performing Arts.
2020
Highlights
* Central Okanagan Music Strategy phase one Industry Profile and Public Engagement completed.
* Covid19 pandemic caused events to be cancelled and curtailed to audiences of 50 people or less for the remainder of the year
* Very Short Showcase at the Mary Irwin Theatre as part of Culture Days.
* Music in the Park West Kelowna postponed to 2021
2021
Highlights
* Music in the Park West Kelowna July/August
* Central Okanagan Music Strategy launches!
Since our founding in 2012, Creative Okanagan has been a vibrant contributor to the performing arts sector – and the Central Okanagan community at large!