About | Vancouver Island Artists

ABOUT US

Fostering Collaboration and Innovation Across Sectors for an Inclusive Creative Economy

A THRIVING CREATIVE ECONOMY REQUIRES A FOCUSED TEAM OF INDUSTRY LEADERS, JOINING FORCES TO PROVIDE STRUCTURE AND SUPPORT TO THE SECTOR.

We are a mixture of artists, arts centres, arts organizations and representatives from tourism and economic development. We are collaborating and innovating across sectors in support of an inclusive Creative Economy. We believe in 'thinking and acting' like an ecosystem, which for us means caring about the well-being of every community in our super-region. And it means filling gaps in supports and services - especially to equity-denied populations, so everyone can participate.

Leadership Team

MEET SOME OF OUR TEAM

Illana Hester

Creative Coast curatorial and marketplace advisor and the Executive Director at The Old School House Arts Centre, brings exceptional career management, digital transformation, sector and marketplace development experience to the team, enhanced by a decade managing 1 to 3.5 million gross per year companies in NYC Arts marketplace. Illana is regularly invited to lecture/make presentations to organizations across Canada about the underleveraged potential of the Canadian art marketplace and strategic opportunities in rural centres.

Jenny Farkas

Creative Coast’s regional coordinator, draws on three decades of inclusive creative economic development, as well as 20 years in the role of project manager and senior content developer for a national branding and communications firm. In the past 5 years she has ideated, secured and managing $1.5 million in multi-year/multi-stakeholder grants/projects, including ArtCoach. She currently co-leads a 3 year Canadian Government New Frontiers in Research Fund creative entrepreneurship data discovery and empowerment project with Simon Fraser University (2023-2026) with Dr Sheelagh Carpendale, Canada Research Chair in Information Visualization

Karen Bannister

Creative Coast’s tourism advisor, whose career spans key roles at 4VI (Director of Marketing, then VP of Operations), as well as senior fundraising and marketing positions with the Shaw Festival Theatre, and the Canadian Stage Company. During the pandemic, Karen spearheaded the award-winning Vancouver Island Tourism Resiliency Program - a program that was quickly adopted by the rest of British Columbia. Karen is currently leading a collaborative project between Creative Coast and 4VI entitled: Foundational Inquiries: Exploring opportunities for Cross-Sectoral Partnerships Between the Creative and Tourism Sectors.

ERICA MATTSON

Creative Coast’s economic development advisor, is a seasoned arts marketing and sector development strategist, with two decades of leadership in cultural institutions, sector development agencies, and arts funders. Erica brings exceptional skillsets in program management, design thinking and strategy development that function to strengthen sectors, build business models and shift cultures. She is currently co-leading the NFRF project with Jenny, and fulfilling the role of Data Coach for Mass Culture’s Data Narratives for the Arts.

NAAS RAIN

Advisory Circle Member; Illustrator, painter; Decolonial community builder

ARIANNA AUGUSTINE

Advisory Circle Member; Graphic artist, videographer, entrepreneur

Have you ever wondered about the value artists and arts organizations contribute to our economy? To tourism, general well-being and community? This groundbreaking 2021 study begins to answer these questions, and provide us solid, preliminary data so we can to begin our journey towards an inclusive Creative Economy.

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WORK WITH US

Creative Coast offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to Arts & Culture Organizations, Artists, Municipalities/Government, and Tourism sectors, providing strategic guidance, creative solutions, and tailored support to help each client thrive in their respective fields.

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