New Leader For Centre

The new boss at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, says he’s coming into a good situation.

Executive director Jim Harding says the facility is well supported in the region which is a tribute to the programs.

“For a facility this size to be this busy throughout the year, from this size of community is really phenomenal. It’s a great success story,” Harding tells Kiss FM.

Harding was born and raised in Vernon, but has spent the past 25 years in Victoria, working as executive director for Theatre BC for 13 years, followed by 12 years as executive director of the BC Museums Association.

Pictured: Jim Harding, new executive director of the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre

Harding is not planning any major changes for the 16 year old Performing Arts Centre at this point.

“I’ve been very lucky to inherit a very good situation, a very good staff here. We have a steady stream of volunteers, anxious to sign up to help make our program successful,” says Harding.

While with Theatre BC, Harding led a rebranding of the annual provincial “Mainstage” festival and worked to emphasize the educational value of Theatre BC’s longstanding tradition of adjudicated festivals.

He was also the founding president of Intrepid Theatre Company, host of the Victoria Fringe festival.

In 2001, as ED for the BC Museums Association, Harding undertook a province-wide rejuvenation of programming and membership, increasing member Museum and Art Gallery ranks from 1-in-5 to 4-in-5 over his tenure.

He oversaw the coordination of the annual BCMA conference and administered the joint Heritage Tourism Alliance initiative with Tourism BC on behalf of BC’s “History and Heritage” marketing sector.