By Pepper Parr
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre has put out a call for people to apply for a position on the Board of Directors.
Again?
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre Board of Directors named Peter W. Van Dyk their new Board Chair by acclamation at their meeting on November 28, 2024. Van Dyk replaces Ken Smithard, who has served on the Board since 2016 and whose term concluded at the end of November. Van Dyk was born and raised in Burlington. He was active as a musician locally and toured Ontario and Canada.
The current Board has had a rough couple of years. The sudden departure of Executive Director Tammy Fox, and governence issues related to an unauthorized arrangement with the Sound of Music may have worn out some of the current Board members.
The priority for the Board that is in place now was to find an Executive Director who would serve as the person who finds the talent to put on the two stages and then book that talent and at the same time keep the membership happy.
Sara Palmieri: new Performing Arts Executive Director.
Sara Palmieri was chosen as the new Executive Director – she started work on the 19th.
Palmieri was named the inaugural Director of Programming and Marketing at the newly established FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (FOPAC) in downtown St. Catharines where she has led much of the FOPAC’s success in its first ten seasons.
A lovely building that has struggled more than one would expect to find and keep the leadership it needed at both the Staff and Board levels.
The announcement seeking new Board members sets out what you have to bring to the table and what you will be doing if they give you a seat and some cutlery.
Are you passionate about the performing arts? The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is seeking a broad range of skilled leaders to join our Board of Directors. As we enter our 14th season of bringing world-class performances to downtown Burlington, we’re looking for dynamic individuals with diverse skills and talents who can help shape the future of our performing arts centre and Burlington’s cultural community. Whether your expertise lies in fundraising, community leadership, strategic planning or Board governance, there’s an opportunity to contribute your talents while being part of something transformative.
The Board completed a new Strategic Plan for 2024-2027, identifying four key strategic objectives which will define success for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre over the next four years:
A successful Burlington Performing Arts Centre will be:
- A place where all feel welcome. An organization committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and access to the performing arts.
- A financially stable organization with the resources necessary to accomplish its mission.
- A cultural hub that attracts diverse audiences and artists through a balanced programming model that presents professional and community performances.
- An employer of choice that attracts the best in the business.
The Burlington Theatre Board Inc. is a governance board composed of volunteers responsible for the stewardship and general oversight of the organization. The Board provides strategic direction to the Executive Director and meets approximately ten times a year, with additional time expected for sub-committee work.
The Performing Arts Centre has built a loyal following during the past decade – much of the credit for that growth belongs to Brenda Heatherington, the first Executive Director – the patrons just loved her. Above, two patrons deciding which events they wanted to attend.
The Burlington Theatre Board Inc. is currently seeking Board members with skills and experience in fundraising, community leadership, operations, risk management, Board governance, strategic planning, marketing and promotion, as well as a passion for the performing arts and deep ties in the Burlington community. Prior Board experience is not mandatory, particularly if candidates have strong relevant skills or insights. BPAC Board members serve for 4-year terms and may serve for up to two consecutive terms (8 years total).
Board members are expected to:
- be members of The Burlington Performing Arts Centre;
- participate in monthly Board meetings;
- participate in a minimum of one Board Committee (Audit and Risk Committee / Governance, Ethics and HR Committee / Development & Relationship Management Committee and Ad Hoc Committees as required), which may meet monthly;
- support BPAC functions and events (either through attendance or by other means);
- make an annual financial contribution that is personally meaningful, and/or actively support fundraising efforts through strategic introductions and engagement with the development team;
- act as ambassadors for BPAC.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your CV and letter of interest as one document in PDF format to bpacboard@gmail.com on or before March 26, 2025.
If you have any questions about the application process, please send them to bpacboard@gmail.com and a member of the Governance, Ethics and HR Committee will respond.
Background links:
What Sara Palmieri bring to BPAC
