New members appointed to the BC Arts Council

The BC Arts Council welcomes the appointment of three new members: Paula Martin, Dr. Sae-Hoon Stan Chung and Evan Klassen. Each of the new members brings a deep appreciation and strong knowledge of the arts and a wealth of experience to the BC Arts Council.

Paula Martin is Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer at Vancity Credit Union, as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Alliance for Banking on Values in The Netherlands. Previously she was Senior Vice-President of Member Engagement at Vancity. Active in her community, Ms. Martin is a member of the Board of Governors at Simon Fraser University and a Board Director at Deetken Impact. Previously she served on the boards of PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, 110 Arts Cooperative, and Kitsilano Neighbourhood House. Ms. Martin holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University and Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) accreditation.

Dr. Sae-Hoon Stan Chung is a Korean Canadian writer, academic, and consultant. Dr. Chung is a senior advisor to the Ktunaxa Nation Council and a former associate professor of communications, dean of arts and science, and vice-president academic. He has conducted research, written award-winning screenplays, and published books, reviews, and academic articles. The Kelowna Daily Courier featured his column, Global Citizen, for ten years. Dr. Chung holds a PhD from UBC. His dissertation explored neuroscience and artificial intelligence in the work of Pauline Oliveros. Dr. Chung is currently the principal of a strategic consultancy focussed on Indigenous socio-economic innovation. He is the author of peer-reviewed articles “The Courage to Be Altered: Indigenous Decolonization for Teachers” and “The Morning After Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report: Decolonisation through Hybridity, Ambivalence, and Alliance.” His books include Global Citizen: River of Love and Other Essays and I Held My Breath for a Year.

Evan R. Klassen is the Managing Director of Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops, BC and currently serves as Director, Regional Portfolio for the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres. A local arts advocate, Mr. Klassen has supported efforts towards the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, and the BC Interior Community Foundation. Previously he was Director, Artistic Operations and Production for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Active in his community, Mr. Klassen was Board Chair of Seven Oaks House Museum, Board Member of the Manitobans for the Arts and Board Member for the Winnipeg Arts Council. He also was Secretary-Treasurer of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Mr. Klassen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Winnipeg and a Certificate in Arts and Cultural Management from MacEwan University.

All three are appointed for a term effective until 31 July 2021.

BC Arts Council members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, through an open, transparent and merit-based public appointment process.

The BC Arts Council acknowledges and thanks outgoing members Derral Moriyama and Vicky Chainey Gagnon for their contributions to the Council and arts and culture in B.C.