Volunteering with the Arts Council feels important and meaningful to me. Having an Arts Centre in our small community matters because it provides a shared space for creativity, connection, and expression. It brings people together, supports local artists, and helps ensure that the arts remain accessible to everyone. In a community our size, an Arts Centre relies heavily on volunteers, and I feel a responsibility to be part of that volunteer base to help sustain it.
I volunteer as a curator because I genuinely love shaping and curating spaces, whether that is in my home, garden or gallery space. Creating welcoming, engaging environments and promoting artists, whether they are well established or just beginning is something I find rewarding. Supporting artists by helping their work be seen and appreciated by the community is a meaningful part of why I do this work.
As an educator, the Arts Centre is also an important resource for my students. I regularly take my Visual Art classes to the gallery so they can experience the work of the various artists on display. Experiencing art firsthand is a vital part of an arts curriculum, as it exposes students to diverse perspectives, ideas, and creative processes they might not otherwise encounter.
On a personal level, volunteering with the Arts Council strengthens my sense of belonging within the community. Being involved supports my mental well-being while also allowing me to give back in a meaningful way. I love the arts and value the supportive, inspiring group of people that make up the Arts Council.
~ Shannon Dunn