Paul Larocque Rejoins Arts Umbrella as President & CEO

Arts Umbrella welcomes back Paul Larocque as its president and CEO. Laroque previously held senior managements positions at the organization in the late 1990s and early 2000s and has more than three decades of active involvement in the cultural sector.

Prior to his return to Arts Umbrella, Laroque was associate director at the Vancouver Art Gallery for more than a decade. His portfolio included administration, fundraising, government relations, strategic planning, education, and the Gallery’s relocation efforts. He is an active member of Vancouver’s cultural community, serving on various boards including Volumes Project, Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, and Boca del Lupo.

“Arts Umbrella is at a pivotal time in its 37 year history. Paul has extensive fundraising, strategic planning, and educational expertise. He will lead Arts Umbrella in its next steps forward as an impactful, community arts organization, growing access to creativity and the arts for children and youth across Metro Vancouver,” said Michael Lee, Arts Umbrella Association board chair, in a press release.

“The leaders of the future will draw heavily on creativity as a major resource,” said Larocque. “Research shows that nurturing creativity must start from an early age and Arts Umbrella programs help a wide range of young people from throughout Metro Vancouver to explore creative thinking, expand artistic expression, and grow self-confidence.”

Arts Umbrella delivers high-quality performing, visual, and media arts programs to kids ages 2 to 19. The organization, now in its 37th year, reaches more than 20,000 children and youth annually; more than half of the students participate at little to no cost to their families. For more information about Arts Umbrella and its programs, visit artsumbrella.com.