Outgoing Arts Council Founder Reflects on Success of FACES Program

Karen Brown co-founded the Arts Council for the South Shuswap in 2013 and has led it for the past decade

(photo contributed)

By Jo Boxwell

When Arts Council for the South Shuswap Executive Director Karen Brown moved to the Shuswap in 2010 with her husband, Tom, she noticed there wasn’t much available locally for kids who had an interest in the arts. Karen helped establish the Arts Council for the South Shuswap in 2013 and has been at the helm of the organization for the past decade. The Arts Council has spearheaded and supported a range of initiatives to promote arts and culture in the Shuswap during that time, from hosting Music by the Bay in Blind Bay to assisting with the development of the Shuswap Artisan Market in Sorrento, the Art on the Green event in August each year and the Small Hall Crawl during the winter months. For Karen, one of the highlights was the establishment of the Fine Arts Community Explorations in the Shuswap (FACES) program that delivers quality performing arts programs to young people in the region.

When FACES began, classes were delivered by one art teacher, one music teacher and one dance teacher, who worked with 27 students in their first year. By the 2024-2025 season, the program had grown to accommodate approximately 150 dance and music students, five dance teachers, three music teachers, two theatre instructors and a Creative Director. FACES also offers visual art workshops and musical theatre programs. Moving Theatre Performing Arts comes to Carlin Community Hall to deliver the musical theatre sessions, and most recently, 24 young people participated in a spring production of Finding Nemo.

With programs available for both young children and teenagers, FACES students predominantly come from South Shuswap communities, but some travel from Salmon Arm, Chase and the North Shuswap to attend classes. As Karen points out, “We’re the only facility in the region that offers music, dance, theatre and art under one roof.”

Originally located in the Blind Bay Marketplace, the Arts Council for the South Shuswap and FACES moved to Carlin Hall following a discussion with then Carlin Hall Community Association President, Larry Stephenson. The move significantly lowered rental costs for the arts council and also helped to provide sustainability to the community hall. Thanks to support from Community Futures Shuswap, the Arts Council transformed the lower level of Carlin Hall. “It was a $40,000 project,” resulting in two soundproof music studios, a sprung floor dance studio and an art studio, Karen explains.

Missy Morrison Charko (L), Creative Director of FACES and soon-to-be Executive Director Arts Council for the South Shuswap with senior students. (Photo credit: Katy Hersey)

FACES students participate in two recitals per year, in December and mid-May. The goal with the recitals, as with the performing arts program, is to create a space where kids can leave their comfort zone and open themselves up to being vulnerable. As incoming Executive Director Missy Morrison Charko shares, “It takes a lot of courage for anyone of any age to get up on a stage and share a piece of themselves, whether it’s through dance, music or theatre. Going through that fosters strength, growth and confidence – all traits that make for a healthy child, teen or adult.”

As a non-profit, the Arts Council for the South Shuswap applies for grants that offset the cost of tuition for FACES students, reducing financial barriers for families with children who would like to participate. At the same time, instructors are compensated fairly as they are experienced, certified professionals in their respective fields.

While Karen will soon be moving on to new adventures, she will be leaving behind a strong legacy with the Arts Council for the South Shuswap and the FACES program, as well as many young people who have found opportunities to pursue their creative passions in the South Shuswap thanks to her efforts.

She has some last words to share as she moves from the Shuswap. “Arts and culture are not just areas that involve visual art, dance, music or theatre. Culture in the Shuswap is anything from boating, hiking, a game of golf, reading a book or dragon boating. Culture IS the Shuswap way of life”. She would like to thank all of the directors, teachers and parents, musicians and artists, the grantors, community leaders and of course, the volunteers. “Without ALL of these amazing people, their collective vision, commitment and creativity, the Arts Council for the South Shuswap would simply not exist.”

For more information about the FACES program and to register for classes for the upcoming 2025-2026 season beginning in September, visit shuswaparts.com.