Vancouver Island Symphony ED Honoured With National Award For Arts Leadership

Margot Holmes, executive director of the Vancouver Island Symphony, has been named the recipient of the 2014 National Cultural Champion Award: Arts Leadership. 

Holmes will be honoured by Business for the Arts (BFTA) at the Canadian Arts and Business Awards, being held in the new Aga Khan Museum in Toronto on November 14. The award is presented to an arts individual who has shown exceptional leadership by engaging the business community in support of arts and culture. 

As executive director of the Vancouver Island Symphony for 16 years, Holmes has been a driving force in elevating the symphony to new heights. She has worked tirelessly to increase the appreciation of live classical music among residents, politicians and business communities in the region. The symphony is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary season. 

“I am honoured to receive this award," says Holmes. "It was a lovely surprise. I feel privileged to do the creative work that I do e day to allow people to experience the arts - LIVE!"

BFTA is a national organization of leading business CEOs across the country who recognize that "any nation lives by its creative minds." BFTA encourages strong relationships between business and arts in order to strengthen cultural assets in Canada, to support artists and improve quality of life for all.

To learn more about the Vancouver Island Symphony, visit vancouverislandsymphony.com.