VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL ARTS SYMPOSIUM

As part of the legacy from the 2005 Cultural Capitals of Canada programme, the City of Victoria initiated the development of an International Arts Symposium, which was successfully presented in October 2006, with the theme “Artists of Conscience”.  In the months following this event, a group of supporters gathered together to form the Victoria International Arts Symposium Society (VIASS) with a vision to:
-    Imagine artistic vision as a catalyst for innovation and life changing ideas.
-    Imagine a public forum where a diversity of perspectives informs and changes the way we live together.
-    Imagine speakers and artists from around the world converging in Victoria.

After a year of determined and dedicated effort by this small group of committed enthusiasts, working with producer Brian Paisley, the Board of Directors of VIASS has unanimously (and regretfully) concluded that it lacks the resources, support and partnerships to take on this ambitious agenda. VIASS will thus cease its operations at its year-end on December 31, 2007.

Though art is often about taking risks, the Society felt that realism and prudence must rule in this case to avoid disappointment to donors, sponsors and, importantly, the audience if the proposed events in 2008 could not be financed and delivered at the desired level of quality. The Symposium concept remains valid, but this particular effort to launch a biennial event has been brought to a responsible conclusion and is at an end.

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