2024 Annual Report Draft

Strengthening cultural services through partnership with Comox Valley Arts The City of Courtenay has entered into a two-year License to Occupy Agreement with the Comox Valley Arts Council (CVA) for its administrative offices and digital creation hub. Additionally, the City has extended its fee-for-service agreement with CVA to support the delivery of cultural services to the community. For over 55 years, CVA, a non-profit society, has played a central role in fostering arts and culture in the Comox Valley. Through a diverse range of events, programs and initiatives, CVA provides opportunities for residents to engage with local arts and cultural experiences. In 2024, CVA collaborated with the MIKI’SIW Métis Association on the Ancestral Echoes Podcast Education Program. This initiative creates a space for Métis Elders to share knowledge with local youth, fostering intergenerational exchange. Through storytelling and conversation, the program amplifies Elder voices, ensuring that perspectives, histories and cultural traditions are passed down to future generations. City summer events Canada Day celebrations Canada Day celebrations featured the Night Before Showcase on June 30 and the parade, concert and park activities on July 1. An estimated 12,500 people came out over two days for the celebrations. 2024 mainstage performers included Indigenous and multicultural performers, the Sean Grieve Committee, the Timebenders, Lyall Steel and Isabelle Durand and WCC (West Coast Chicago). Thank you to the many groups and individuals that made the event special, including the organizing team, parade participants, sponsors, performers, vendors, volunteers and City of Courtenay staff. Simms Park Summer Concert Series Sunday evening concerts were held from June until the end of August. 2024 performers included SD 71 Studio Band, Rumble Jam Grooves & River City Sidemen, MoonShine, Blues Night with the Thor Jonsson Band and guests, Saskia Delaronde & Nathan Tinkham, Judy & Bruce Wing, the Kenny Shaw Trio, the Valley Cats, Time Well Wasted and Stealing Dan.

Comox Valley Arts 30 Day Drawing Challenge online participants Studio Tour participation

10,000

5,320

Volunteer hours

550

Creative works produced at the Digital Creative Hub

257

Courtenay-based visual artists exhibited

15

Artist professional development school attendees

147

DFTR at Simms Concert Series

New for 2025! Smoking is prohibited in parks and will be enforced. Enjoy summer events smoke-free.

City of Courtenay | 2024 Annual Report

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