Today at the VSO School of Music’s Pyatt Hall, the Vancouver Symphony Society and Poly Culture North America signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-operate with each other by exploring the potential to work together in a number of areas of mutual interest, including concert co- presentations, promotion of Chinese performance arts and artists, building creative content together suitable for both the Canadian and China markets, and creating two-way musical education opportunities that will help students from both Poly Culture North America and the VSO to excel in their respective communities.
The signing event was attended by Senator Yuen Pau Woo; Regional Director General, Western Region, Department of Canadian Heritage, Erica Tao; Deputy Minister, BC Ministry of International Trade, Clark Roberts; Executive Director, East Asia Branch, BC Ministry of International Trade, Paul Irwin; Acting Consul General of China, Kong Weiwei; Consul for Culture Affairs, Hu Xiao; Poly Culture Group CEO Jiang Yingchun; Vice-President, Poly Culture Group, Ren Wei; Executive Director, Business Development, HQ Vancouver, Kenny Zhang; Vice-President, HQ Vancouver, John McDonald; VSO Board Chair, Fred Withers; Poly Culture North America CEO, Yi Chen; VSO President, Kelly Tweeddale; VSO School of Music board member, Fiona Lin; VSO School of Music Executive Director, Curtis Pendleton.
Building on a successful co-presentation of the China Philharmonic Orchestra on November 30th of 2016 at the Chan Centre, a concert that served as Poly Culture’s North American launch event, and recognizing the importance of the existing relationship, Poly Culture North America and the VSO are proud to continue their relationship with this agreement to pursue potential further collaborations.
Poly Culture North America’s CEO Yi Chen, said “Poly Culture North America is committed to establishing a platform to promote cultural exchanges between China and North America. Poly Culture has enjoyed a long history with VSO since VSO toured China and performed in Poly theatres in 2008. As one of Canada’s most active and successful performing arts institutions, VSO is definitely our first choice to explore cross cultural exchanges together.”
VSO President Kelly Tweeddale remarked, “The VSO has a strong history in reflecting our community at home and abroad. Our strategic plan calls for us to research and experiment with innovative programming, build our capacity by expanding our network of relationships, expand the VSO’s reputation through touring and collaboration, and increase the diversity and experiences of our ever-changing audience. Today’s MOU with Poly Culture North America represents a great strategic opportunity for the VSO and aligns well with international trade objectives of our region.”
About Poly Culture North America
Poly Culture North America has been established by Poly Culture Group to expand business across North America and to build cultural ties between China and Canada. Poly Gallery, located at 905 West Pender Street, also opened in November of 2016.
About Poly Culture Group
Poly Culture Group, a subsidiary of China Poly Group Corporation, is China’s largest arts and cultural company. Poly Culture Group offers performance and theatre management, art business and auction, cinema investment and management, and plays a leading role in the Chinese market. Poly Culture Group’s business also covers art education, cultural tourism, artwork, and finance.
About the VSO
Founded in 1919, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada’s most active and successful performing arts institutions. It is the largest arts organization in western Canada and the third largest symphony in the country. Led by Music Director Bramwell Tovey, the VSO’s purpose is to enrich and transform lives through music by presenting high-quality performances of classical, popular and culturally diverse music; meaningful engagement with audiences of all ages and backgrounds; and development of inspirational education and community programs. The VSO performs more than 150 concerts each season in 16 venues throughout Metro Vancouver, for a total annual attendance of 250,000 patrons, including 50,000 children and young adults.
Feature image:
Group shot, Standing L-R:
Consul for Culture Affairs, Hu Xiao;
VSO Vice President, Alan Gove;
VSO School of Music Executive Director, Curtis Pendleton.
VSO Board Chair, Fred Withers;
Vice-President, Poly Culture Group, Ren Wei;
VSO School of Music board member, Fiona Lin;
Acting Consul General of China, Kong Weiwei;
Poly Culture Group CEO Jiang Yingchun;
Deputy Minister, BC Ministry of International Trade, Clark Roberts;
Senator Yuen Pau Woo;
Regional Director General, Western Region, Department of Canadian Heritage, Erica Tao;
Executive Director, East Asia Branch, BC Ministry of International Trade, Paul Irwin;
Executive Director, Business Development, HQ Vancouver, Kenny Zhang;
Vice-President, HQ Vancouver, John McDonald;
Translator Jiang Yue
Project Manager, Poly Culture North America John Liu
Seated L-R
VSO President, Kelly Tweeddale; (seated)
Poly Culture North America CEO, Yi Chen; (seated)
(credit: VSO)
