ArtSea Community Arts Council is a charitable organization that works to ignite interest and appreciation for all forms of the arts, and cultural activities on the Saanich Peninsula. Activities are open to the entire community, welcoming artists at all levels, from emerging to professional artists, arts and culture groups, and community members curious about the arts.
As a registered charitable organization, ArtSea operates in accordance with the BC Societies Act.
ArtSea Vision, Mission, and Mandate
Vision: For the Saanich Peninsula to be recognized as a major art and cultural centre in British Columbia.
Mission: ArtSea supports and promotes the development of all forms of the arts and cultural activities on the Saanich Peninsula.
Mandate: To encourage public awareness of and participation in the cultural life of the Saanich Peninsula. To fulfill its mandate ArtSea will:
- Promote awareness of, and participation in, the arts.
- Serve as the cultural voice of the community, advocating on its behalf with government and industry stakeholders.
- Be the go-to place for information and resources on arts and culture.
- Work in collaboration with community partners and arts organizations in facilitating high quality and diverse artistic programming and events.
- Be a springboard of community engaged art.
ArtSea Operations
ArtSea Community Arts Council is a charitable organization that relies on support from the community in order to operate and present arts and cultural programming. ArtSea is grateful for financial support received through grants, sponsorships, and donations, as well as in-kind support from our community partners.
ArtSea has an open membership available to artists, arts and cultural groups, and residents interested in the arts. ArtSea Community Arts Council is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and achieves its goals through the valued contribution of dedicated staff and volunteers.
ArtSea History
ArtSea Community Arts Council has played an essential role in the cultural and artistic activities on the Saanich Peninsula since 1991. Formally known as the Community Arts Council for the Saanich Peninsula (CACSP), ArtSea is a registered charitable organization that offers a variety of arts and cultural programs and events throughout the year.
Dianne Cross was one of the original founders of the Society. A student scholarship, The Dianne Cross Award for the Arts, is sponsored by ArtSea each year in honour of Dianne’s remarkable contribution to arts and cultural activities on the Saanich Peninsula.
ArtSea Documentation and Information Privacy
Confidential information and materials including membership, patrons, sponsors, financial and credit card information that is not in the public domain are treated as confidential by ArtSea in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) www.priv.gc.ca.
ArtSea Organizational Documentation, such as the Constitution, Bylaws, Annual Reports, etc., are available in PDF format for the public to download or view online.
ArtSea Programs
The ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park
The ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park is situated along the beautiful waterfront walkway in Sidney, BC. There is a new artist-led exhibition almost every week; stop in regularly to see arts and culture that is happening in the community. The ArtSea Gallery is a valued attraction and community meeting point for residents and tourists visiting the Saanich Peninsula. In August 2023, the ArtSea Gallery was voted the favourite gallery on the Peninsula, according to the Peninsula News Review Reader’s Choice Awards.
Salish Sea Lantern Festival
The Salish Sea Lantern Festival is a magical celebration of light, community, and artistic expression in August, along the waterfront in Sidney, BC. This free event includes musical performances and interactive costumed characters, and culminates in a magical lantern procession.
In recent years, 1,500 – 2,000 people attend the evening festival, and many more participate in the Week of Lanterns leading up to the evening celebrations.
ArtSea Studio Tour
The ArtSea Studio Tour is one of Vancouver Island’s longest running self-guided studio tours, celebrating 30 years in 2024! . Every year, ArtSea organizes and presents a Fall Studio Tour when more than 30 artist studios open their doors to the public. Everyone is welcome to explore and experience the diverse range of talent and treasures that are available on the Saanich Peninsula.
The Sidney Seaside Sculpture Walk
The Sidney Seaside Sculpture Walk is a magnificent outdoor art gallery on display for everyone to enjoy along the waterfront walkway between Beacon Park and the ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park.
This outdoor collection of sculptures uses the majestic scenery of Mount Baker and the Salish Sea as its backdrop. Many of the pieces are for sale while others are public art, owned or commissioned by the Town of Sidney.
The ArtSea Scholarship Program
the ArtSea Scholarship Program provides $1,250 each year to support the development of young artists.
The Dianne Cross Award for the Arts was created in recognition of one of the founders of ArtSea Community Arts Council (then named, the Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula), to honour her remarkable contribution to arts and cultural activities on the Peninsula.
The Saanich Peninsula Arts and Culture Grant and Bursary Program
The Saanich Peninsula Arts and Culture Grant (SPACG) Program is a partnership between ArtSea and the municipalities on the Saanich Peninsula. We are pleased to offer grants and bursaries to support local arts and culture initiatives.
If you are an individual that resides on the Peninsula, or a group/collective that provides programs to the residents of the Peninsula, we invite you to learn more about this funding stream!
The Sidney Art Walk (Partnership with the SBIA)
The Sidney Art Walk is a partnership program presented by ArtSea and the Sidney BIA. Each sprint, the Sidney BIA invites businesses to display the work of local artist and artisans in the windows of their establishments. ArtSea puts out a call to artists to welcome local artist and artisans to display their work in the community.
This is a wonderful partnership program that benefits local artists and business, and provides an opportunity for the residents and visitors to engage with local arts and culture.
Coast Capital Art Display
The Coast Capital Art Display is a partnership program between ArtSea and Coast Capital Savings. provides a valuable opportunity for artists to showcase their work within the community. It also enriches the community’s cultural landscape, providing residents and visitors with access to large-scale original artwork produced by ArtSea Members.
ArtSea Membership Profiles
ArtSea Membership Profiles are free dedicated webspace for ArtSea Members to share their information and work online. Profile pages may include name, address, preferred media or art form, and artist Bio, and an image gallery of works. Profiles are created and maintained by each ArtSea Member. ArtSea is pleased to provide our members with supportive and affordable opportunities to show and sell their artwork, increase their client base, and develop community connections.
Interactive Arts Directory
The Interactive Arts Directory provides an opportunity to explore arts and culture practitioners and resources on the Saanich Peninsula through an online, interactive map.
Locations on the interactive map include information and images for local artists, studios, or arts and culture organizations. This is a free resources for sharing or accessing arts and culture information for the community.
ArtSea Newsletter
The ArtSea Newsletter is a monthly email distributed to more than 1000 subscribers. The Newsletter provides information and updates about ArtSea Programming, upcoming opportunities to register or get involved with local arts and culture, and information shared by ArtSea members and partners.
Support for ArtSea Community Arts Council
ArtSea Community Arts Council is a charitable organization that relies on support from the community in order to operate and present arts and cultural programming. ArtSea is grateful for financial support received through grants, sponsorships, and donations, as well as in-kind support from our community partners.
ArtSea is grateful for support from our Provincial and Municipal partners.
ArtSea is fortunate to operate within the unceded territory of the Coast Salish People – within the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation – Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout and Tseycum peoples.
