Who is the
Harrison Festival
Society
The Harrison Festival Society is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1988 under the BC Society Act. The Society is governed by a Board of Directors and employs three full- time people. The Society has an office open twelve months a year in Harrison Hot Springs.
The Society produces the Harrison Festival of the Arts each July. This nine day celebration of music, theatre, dance and visual arts has a solid reputation for showcasing the cultural diversity within Canada as well as the cultures of developing countries. Within the small community of Harrison Hot Springs, the Festival provides an opportunity for artists and audience to meet and share ideas and address the social issues embodied in the art and music.
In addition to the summer Festival, the Harrison Festival Society presents 12 - 14 performing arts events throughout the year, including a wide variety of music and theatre. The audience for these events has been growing steadily both in terms of numbers and geography. At present many of the shows are sold-out, attracting an audience from throughout the Fraser Valley and into Greater Vancouver. It is the Society's belief that this region should have the opportunity to experience quality arts programming without travelling to urban centres like Vancouver. The audience also enjoys visiting the relaxing splendour of Harrison Hot Springs.
The Harrison Festival Society has, in addition to presenting professional quality performing arts events, worked with different groups in the production and development of work. The Society has produced the work of two local playwrights, as well as provided performance opportunities for many other local productions. It has worked with First Nations groups to bring culturally relevant theatre and music to the local area. The Society has also provided the local school district with assistance in programming performing arts events in the schools.
The Society's principle venue is the Harrison Memorial Hall, which is converted into a concert seating type venue or a cabaret seating type venue for each show depending on which is most appropriate. The "Hall" is not fancy but it is a funky little venue with great acoustics.
HARRISON FESTIVAL SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF MISSION
The Harrison Festival Society is committed to celebrating the arts; to exploring the human community through the presentation of a full spectrum of artistic expression. It is the Society’s belief that good quality live performing arts are an extremely important part of a healthy community and as a result they should be available to people within their local area. The Society also believes in the importance of celebrating the cultural diversity of Canada and the world.
In implementing this philosophy, the Harrison Festival Society endeavours to:
- present performing and visual arts of the highest quality possible,
- present the work of local, national and international professional quality performers and artists,
- celebrate the cultural diversity of Canada and establish links with the cultures of the world, making special note of the artistic expression of the world’s indigenous peoples,
- ensure that a majority of the performers and artists are Canadian residents,
- encourage and nurture emerging artists and
- present audiences with the artistic expression of diverse cultures, thereby helping them appreciate the contributions of different cultures to our common culture.
If you will like to support this unique cultural organization become a Family Member