the

Trail & District Arts Council

Fostering the arts in Greater Trail for over 40 years. We thank our sponsors, volunteers and patrons for their continued support, dedication and passion for the arts in our community.

 

Our Story & Mission

The Trail and District Arts Council (TDAC) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to foster the arts in Greater Trail by providing services and resources to its arts, cultural and heritage affiliate organizations.

TDAC aims to raise awareness of the arts and offer the community a way to experience the diversity that arts and culture have to offer. In addition, we manage the Bailey Theatre and present professional and emerging artists in and around Greater Trail. With over 40 years of community shows, TDAC presents over 50 events annually!

JOEANN

Kathleen

Nadine

RUPERT

Our Staff

Executive Director: Joeann Argue

Artistic Director: Nadine Tremblay
Box Office Manager: Kathleen Schrader
Marketing and Rentals: Vicky Jones

Finance: Norine Birnie
Acting Technical Director: Ben Walker

Our Directors & Board

President: Adrian Schilke
Vice-President/Treasurer: Sarah Benson-Lord

Secretary: Raymond Masleck
Board of Directors: Jesse Allen, Carole Bonin, Peter Katountas, Lisa Milne, and Addison Oberg.

 

Are you a local artist or cultural organization?

Looking for some support to launch your next project? Read on!

We currently have three grant opportunities available, Including the Trail & District Arts Council Adult Arts Training Grants, Trail & District Arts Council Youth Arts Training Grants, and the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance grants. View all grants programs.

Looking to make a difference as a volunteer?

So many of you have given back to our community by volunteering with us and we thank you deeply, we could not operate without your help. If you’d like to help us promote the arts in Trail, please review our volunteer opportunities & benefits!

 

Collaboration Opportunities Through Affiliate Membership

The Trail and District Arts Council serves as a central organization for over 20 affiliated groups, offering collaboration, administrative support, technical assistance, grants, and leadership in advocating for community arts programming.

Trail & District Arts Council Grant Programs

Don’t miss out on our grant opportunities for the Arts & Culture in Greater Trail. Read about our grant opportunities below!

TRAIL & DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL ARTS TRAINING GRANTS

$2,000 total disbursed annually to performance, literary or visual artists (18 years and older) towards training and development in their chosen arts field. Amount awarded based on number of applicants and amount requested. Training must take place within the 12 months after the application deadline.

To apply, please write a letter (max 2 pages) to TDAC outlining the following:

  • Header with your name, mailing address, phone number and email
  • A brief Biography and what you do artistically
  • The course or professional development you hope to undertake – course links are helpful
  • Length, cost of course, organization that is putting it on, place and timeframe of training
  • Your aims/goals and outcomes from taking the course/workshop etc.
  • How the training contributes to your future and development as an artist
  • How much money you are asking for and any other sources of funds you are using towards the project

Examples of arts training you might apply for are:

  • Study in post-secondary arts program
  • Creative writing courses
  • Visual Art Intensive
  • Pottery, improv, song writing, dance workshops
  • Artist residency
  • And more

Examples of eligible expenses are:

  • Priority: Course Fees 
  • Secondary: Portion of travel and accommodation
  • Secondary: Course materials

Ineligible expenses:

  • Artist business skills training
  • Projects
  • Performances
  • Trade shows
  • Festivals
  • Exhibitions
  • Training that took place before the application deadline
  • Artist salaries/wages

Deadline is Friday, February 21, 2025 by 5 pm.

Applicants should live in the Greater Trail area (Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Fruitvale and Montrose)
Maximum 1 support letter.
Examples of work are only accepted as a link.

Please send your application either:

  • By email to ed@trail-arts.com
  • By mail to TDAC at 1501 Cedar Ave. Trail, BC. V1R 4C7 (Application letters must be received/in hand by Friday, February 21, 2025 before 5 pm).
  • In person at Trail and District Arts Council Office/ Bailey Theatre Box office (1501 Cedar Ave. Trail 12-4 pm Mon-Friday). Office will be open until 5 pm on February 21 to accept application letters.  Please ring the buzzer to the left of the doors.

Successful applicants MUST REPORT on the training within 60 days of completion by writing a letter (max 2 pages) outlining:

  • Highlights, goals and outcomes that were met
  • Challenges and issues that you learned from
  • Final costs and revenues of training with receipts for course fees or travel that were funded by TDAC
  • Max 3 photos with description

Please call Joeann Argue with questions, or to discuss if training/course is eligible, at 250-364-3003.

TRAIL & DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL ARTS YOUTH TRAINING GRANTS

$1,000 total disbursed annually to performance, literary or visual artists (under 18 years old) towards arts training and development. Amount awarded will vary depending on the number of applicants and amounts requested. Training must take place within the 12 months after the application deadline.  New applicants to TDAC grants will receive priority.

To apply, please write a letter (max 2 pages) to TDAC outlining the following:

  • Header with your name, mailing address, phone number and email
  • A brief Bio about you and your art
  • The course, camp, or workshop you want to attend – provide a link to the course/camp website if possible
  • Length, cost of course, organization that is putting it on, place and time-frame of training
  • Your aims/goals and outcomes from taking the course/workshop etc.
  • How much money you are asking for and any other sources of funds you are using towards the project (including your own)
  • Please include this wording and a parental signature at the end of your letter “I hereby give permission to my child/ward to apply for this funding.”

Examples of arts training you might apply for are:

  • Creative writing courses
  • Visual Art Intensive or course
  • Pottery, improv, song writing, dance workshops
  • Summer theatre camp, music camp
  • And more

Examples of eligible expenses are:

  • Priority: Course Fees 
  • Secondary: Portion of travel and accommodation
  • Secondary: Course materials

Ineligible expenses:

  • Artist business skills training
  • Projects
  • Performances
  • Trade shows
  • Festivals
  • Exhibitions
  • Training that took place before the application deadline

Deadline is Friday, February 21, 2025 by 5 pm.

Applicants should live in the Greater Trail area (Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Fruitvale and Montrose)
Maximum 1 support letter.
Examples of work are only accepted as a link.

Please send your application either:

  • By email to ed@trail-arts.com
  • By mail to TDAC at 1501 Cedar Ave. Trail, BC. V1R 4C7 (Application letters must be received/in hand by FridayFebruary 21, 2025 before 5 pm).
  • In person at Trail and District Arts Council Office/ Bailey Theatre Box office (1501 Cedar Ave. Trail 12-4 pm Mon-Friday). Office will be open until 5 pm on February 21 to accept application letters. Please ring the buzzer to the left of the doors.

Successful applicants will be reimbursed for training so receipt/proof of payment will be required.

Successful applicants MUST REPORT on the training within 60 days of completion by writing a letter (max 2 pages) outlining:

  • Highlights, goals and outcomes that were met
  • Challenges and issues that you learned from
  • Final costs and revenues of training
  • Max 3 photos with description

Please call Joeann Argue with questions, or to discuss if training/course is eligible, at 250-364-3003.

COLUMBIA KOOTENAY CULTURE ALLIANCE GRANTS (CKCA) GRANTS

Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) has funding programs for artists and cultural organizations in all disciplines! Several different programs are open for application for each year’s funding cycle starting January 13, 2025.

Please check each program for the application deadline.  Please read the program description, criteria and deadlines carefully. 

– For Community Grant information click here.

– For Minor Capital Grant information click here.

– For Touring Grant information click here.

– For Mentoring/Masterclass Grant information click here.

– For Major Projects Grant information click here.

– For Arts Evolution Grant information click here.

Please note,  Heritage organizations should investigate alternate funding streams through Columbia Basin Trust and Heritage BC.

Community Grants (formerly called Arts Funding to Communities)

Community Arts Councils, including Trail & District Arts Council, assist CKCA with the application and selection process for the Community Grants program.   Each Arts Council is allocated about $6,000 to distribute to artists and arts organizations in their community.  

Arts Funding to Communities Online Application  

Program guidelines for all programs, including the Community Grant, may be found HERE.  

Generally, Community Grant projects receive between $500 and $2,500. Applicants are encouraged to submit a reasonable and realistic budget in order to complete the proposed project. The local arts council adjudicating committee makes recommendations about which projects to support based on the strength and quality of the application. The CKCA Steering committee reviews all recommended applications and makes the final funding decision.

Applications must be received by 5 pm on Friday, February 21, 2025.  Late applications will not be accepted.  

Please note: all applications are now online including the “ARTS FUNDING TO COMMUNITIES” program. Hard copy forms are available by request from the CKCA office at 250-352-2421 or email: admin@wkartscouncil.com.

Please contact the CKCA office at least 10 days prior to the deadline for assistance.

Please note: all application deadlines are “received by” deadlines, so if you are mailing a hard copy the application must be received by the closing date.

The Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) delivers the Arts and Culture Program on behalf of Columbia Basin Trust. CKCA managed grant programs are focused on arts & culture. 

Affiliate Membership

 

The Trail and District Arts Council serves as a central organization for over 20 affiliated groups, offering collaboration, administrative support, technical assistance, grants, and leadership in advocating for community arts programming.

The Trail and District Arts Council offers the opportunity of membership which is open to any arts organizations of Greater Trail. With your membership, we will keep you informed about what is happening with the arts and artists in our community and you will be demonstrating your support of the arts in our region.

AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
  • Eligible for annual project based and operational grant funding (due by 5 pm on February 21, 2025). Members may apply by filling in the form.
  • Discount on Electronic Message Board Listings
  • $35/week (regular $50)
  • $105/monthly (regular $150)
  • Use of Box office and online ticket services for your events at other venues in the community (general seating only – $3 admin fee per ticket applies)
  • Post event posters on our designated indoor and outdoor Regional Arts Events poster boards
  • Invaluable amount of local/regional/provincial arts and culture resources including funding opportunities
  • Arts Advocacy
  • Invitations to special events and openings
  • Voting and reporting opportunity at the AGM (1 vote per organization)
  • Promotional support on Facebook and distribution of your event details in our weekly e-newsletter. Email info (who, what, where, when, how with a jpeg. image) to marketing@trail-arts.com.

***VISUAL ARTISTS – please also visit VISAC Gallery for community support.

Cost $25 + GST

Valid June 1-May 31

To become a member please fill out the form and drop it into us at 1501 Cedar Ave., or email it to us at info@trail-arts.com.

Patron of the Arts Membership

Become a Bailey Theatre Patron Member and “Pick Your Own season”.

Patron Members get year-round benefits including:
– 20% off any of the Trail Arts Council (TDAC) presentations below,
– Early access to many shows in The Bailey Theatre so that you can get the best seats,
– Discounts to select touring shows.
Plus, you don’t have to decide now which shows you want to buy. As a Patron Member your membership benefits are valid until August 31, 2024 allowing you to buy shows when you’re ready!
Purchase your Patron Membership for $25 and reap the rewards.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Own a local business and want to become an event or series sponsor? Contact Nadine Tremblay for sponsorship package details at 250-364-3003

Volunteer Opportunities

We love our volunteers and know that much of what we do would not be possible without you, so thank you!

Love what the Trail and District Arts Council does in the community and want to help?  See how you can join in.

 

HOW CAN I HELP?

Here’s some of our many exciting volunteer opportunities:

  •  Event set-up and clean-up: You help make everyone else’s jobs easier. When helping with set-up and clean-up for events you will be required to lift chairs and tables, and help setting up the concession and bar for the show. This role requires physical work and is usually a 1-hour commitment before or after the show.
  • Ticket takers/ushers: As an usher you are the face of the theatre, and will work welcoming guests and taking their tickets on the door of the Muriel Griffiths Room events. You will also show guests to their seats and answer any questions they may have about the show or the facilities (washroom, bar, concession). This role will require a commitment of 2- 4 hours in length, depending upon the show.
  • Bar tending, concession or water station: Working on refreshments means that everyone is happy to see you, so return the favour. These positions require money handling and working with the public, often in a busy environment. If you work at the bar you must have a valid “Serving It Right” certification. You will be required to set-up your area and clear it away once finished, including counting stock. This role will require a commitment of 2 hours in length, depending upon the show.
  • Atmosphere agent: The “Atmosphere agent” adds a personal touch to each of our shows through arranging décor. You may put as much time as you want into this position, working on a series (E2, Family or Jazz) or all our shows (up to 20). 
  • Artist Hospitality: You make the artist happy by filling their ‘hospitality rider’, which may include anything from getting their meals, drinks, and snacks to arranging for the delivery of special gifts or planning their reception. Commitment varies with each show.
  • Audience Engagement Strategy: You get to make the performance even more special by working with the Guest Services Manager to make each event more fun, social, memorable and more informative. This is a creative job that requires a strategic plan.
  • Community Liaison: You are the face of the Theatre in the community. By developing relationships with different business and community organizations you arrange for us to purchase door prizes at cost (+10%) for our shows.  You also help to spread the word about our shows at the same time!

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

Besides being invited to the annual Volunteer appreciation party, volunteering:

  • Provides the opportunity to make a difference in your community.
  • Gives you the opportunity to meet new people with the same passion for the performing arts.
  • Makes you a part of a much-loved venue and arts organization.
  • Allows you to use your skills in a new way or keep them active when you’re not working.
  • Teaches you new skills from fundraising to planning live events.
  • Adds to your quality of life as well as those who come to the shows.
  • Lets you see shows for free!

In addition to the above, we have volunteer opportunities in our Board of Directors as well as our Committees. 

  • Board of Directors: The Arts Council is always looking for members of the community who care about culture to join our Governance Board. This includes overseeing the Arts Council’s finances and completing an annual fundraising project.
  • Committees: Have a passion for storytelling? Join the White Buffalo event organization team.

 To volunteer, please either drop into the Bailey Theatre  and fill in a form, or call us at 250-364-3003.

we thank our sponsors

Andy Tran

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