Community Engagement

Since 1990, the Society has fostered ongoing partnerships that benefit Vancouver Island schools; arts, cultural, and not-for-profit organizations; seniors’ care homes; hospitals; community groups; persons with disabilities; and groups that may be ‘othered’ or face systemic discrimination. The Society provides significant access to the performing arts through collaborative productions, independent projects, and access to creation. The Society’s programs share the work that has been created by emerging artists with the community at large.

Community Performances

Concert of Remembrance

Filled with music and story, this moving tribute resounds ‘from the frontline to the homefront’. This theatrical reflection on service and sacrifice is shared every November at no cost with parishes, Legions, community groups, and long-term care homes. Since 2018 the concert has also offered a fully accessible community performance at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre in Oak Bay in partnership with the District of Oak Bay and the Band of the 5th (BC) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. In 2024, the students participated in the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Oak Bay Cenotaph.

This annual event is offered by donation, with all proceeds being shared equally between the Canadian Heritage Arts Society and the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre, an independent non-profit organization that serves military families.

2025 Concert of Remembrance dates will be posted in early Fall.

Winter Celebration Performances

Winter Celebration Performances bring seasonal music to non-profits, service organizations, and local events, ensuring accessibility by performing in multiple locations from late November through December. The Society supports CCPA alumni in connecting with community groups seeking professional standard caroling for their events. The support includes arranging bookings and costumes, and requires 4 weeks notice for arrangements.

The Society is committed to supporting local non-profits by making our community of artists available for appearances and performances. In recent years, funding limitations have required a halving of the Winter Celebration program. We are seeking funding to enable us to return to this program to it’s pre-pandemic levels.

2025 booking information will be posted in early Fall.

Community Engagement

All volunteer opportunities are first sent out to our established Volunteer list before being posted here. To join our volunteer list, please send an email to engagement@heritagearts.ca.

Volunteer Program

Volunteers play an essential role in the operations of the Society. They bring talents, skills and knowledge; enrich the programs and services available to participants; and play an important role in the development of the society and our community. Our structured volunteer program supports the interactions of artists with volunteers and ensures they can actively contribute to the artistic process.

Several volunteer opportunities are available every year, including:

- Front of House and Concession support at CHAS events
- Ushers for productions at the Canadian College of Performing Arts Performance Hall
- Administrative assistance for annual mail-outs
- Summer facility preparations
- Production and marketing support

Public Education Sessions

Professional artists offer interactive performing arts training presentations to students and the public at schools, festivals, education fairs, trade shows, and conferences.

For more information on how you or your organization can get involved in these community programs, please contact engagement@heritagearts.ca.

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