We encourage you to shop local from our wide range of gift items. Our Mission
To maintain a liason with the PEI Arts Council, The Canada Council for the Arts, The Confederation Centre of the Arts, The PEI Culture, Heritage and Libraries Division, etc. To promote and advance Arts and Crafts activities already existing in West Prince
To organize various workshops in the Arts. To seek adequate funding for Arts projects and activities in West Prince. To administer and maintain a grant funding program for members of WPAC. To promote maximum usage of cultural facilities in West Prince by supporting local endeavors, as well as arranging and promoting several cultural events per year. Our Impact
The West Prince Arts Council is a regional, non-profit, volunteer based arts organization, committed to encouraging and supporting arts and cultural activities in the West prince region of Prince Edward Island
Through funding provided by the PEI Department of Education and Lifelong Learning, the WPAC offers grant funds for community-based projects in the craft, dance, theatre, visual art, and writing and publishing disciplines. The Council now has a gift shop located in Woodstock, PEI, providing a venue for artisans from West Prince to sell their work. Memberships
Active Individuals
Individual members must be involved in producing art in West Prince, has to be living in the area for at least 180 days per year. Such members shall have the privileges of voting, holding office, attending membership meetings, and may apply for grant funding and have their information included in the artist's directory and/or on the WPAC website. Active Cultural Groups
(Examples: guilds, bands, theatre, schools, clubs, arts & culture groups, etc.) Members must be actively involved in the arts in West Prince area, shall be able to attend members meetings, shall have one vote, and may have all the same rights as an active individual member. Fee is $40 annually. Patrons of the Council
Our individual members not necessarily actively involved in the arts (not necessarily living in West Prince), but must be interested in their promotion and support the WPAC programs. Such members shall be listed and receive recognition on the WPAC website. Annual fees is determined on level of patronage (Gold $250, Silver $150, Bronze $50). Honorary Life
Membership shall be given to individuals or groups who in the opinion of the Council have made a valuable outstanding contribution to the growth of the arts in West Prince area. Shall have all the privileges of an active individual member. (These members have received the John-Hunter Duvar Award). No Fee. Corporation Supporter
Need not be actively involved in the arts in West Prince, but must be interested in their promotion and support the WPAC programs. Such members shall have free advertisement on the WPAC website. Examples: Town Councils, Education Providers, Museums, Local Businesses, etc. Fee is $50 annually. Grant Programs
The funding program is available to individuals and organizations resident*in the West Prince region, living on or west of routes 128 (Harmony Line Rd) and 132 (Northam Rd) "a person living in the region for 180 consecutive days or more in any one year period. Funding is available to encourage, support and promote artists and projects in the craft, dance, drama, music, visual art and writing and publishing disciplines in West Prince. Funding is available to a maximum of $500. Successful applicants will receive a letter(s) pledging financial support. Funding cheques will not be issued until the project has been completed and final supporting paperwork has been submitted to the West Prince Arts Council. Two adjudications take place within the WPAC fiscal year (fiscal year is April 1st - March 31st) in September and February. A project can only apply for funding once within the WPAC fiscal year. Deadlines for applications are February and September. Deadlines will be posted in the Penny Saver or West Prince Graphic. Applications received after the deadline will be kept on file for the next available adjudication. Projects funded must be completed within one year of approved application. A final activity report form must be submitted by the successful applicant to the board at the end of the project. Projects will be adjudicated by the Board of the West Prince Arts Council. Projects that receive funding from the PEI Council of the Arts are not eligible for assistance fro the West Prince ARts Council Grant Program
Projects funded must give recognition to the West Prince Arts Council and the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning
Applicants cannot apply twice for the same project
Applications must have all supporting documentation and attachments requested, in order to be considered for funding. Applicants will be notified within 3 weeks following the adjudication meeting. One may apply for funding in the production of a demo CD including up to 3 selections, but not for a full length CD
One may apply for funding to publish or promote a book but not for research of material to produce the book. There are no funding to purchase equipment such as computer, technology pads, tablets or ipods, furniture, building, woodworking or other tools, etc. We will fund for website updates but not to create a new website
We will fund promotional materials such as posters, flyers, pamphlets, business cards, signs, etc, but no souvenir albums, record books, or office supplies for self use. We will help fund for shor term lessons, courses, workshops, etc to help with artists that are teaching for the art form (ex, dance lessons, courses, workshops, etc to help with artists that are ne form of brush stroe for someone teaching painting)
We do not fund salaries, contracts or legal fees. Student Bursary
The West Prince Arts Council annual bursary is awarded to a Westisle High Student graduate who will be pursuing artisitic and literary related post-secondary studies. Qualifying areas of post-secondary study include:
Fine arts
Graphic Arts
Music
Theatre Arts
Literary Studies (English major)
The council will award an amount of approximately $250 (value of award decided each year)
It has been practice to have a student referred by the principal of Westisle to the WPAC for consideration for the grant. John Hunter Duvar Award
The John Hunter-Duvar Award began in 1982 as an attempt by the West Prince Arts Council to recognize a West Prince resident who made a valuable to the Arts in the area. The annual award was named after John Hunter-Duvar (1830-1899). The only Island poet to be included in the Oxford Book of Canadian Verse prior to the arrival of the "The People's Poet", Milton Acorn, on the poetic scene. John Hunter-Duvar wrote three books of poetry, a book on archeology and a book of satirical essays. His estate was called "Hernewood" and is now the site of the Mill River Resort, Park and Golf Course. Originally the WPAC discussed placing a monument in his memory, but later decided upon this award to perpetuate his name. Some of the past winners include Gerald McNally of Brae, Paul Shea of Tignish, Verna Banks of Alberton, Claude Brisson of Mill River, Ray Sark of Lennox Island and B. Roy Dyment of Northam.
A complete listing of winners by year can be seen under the title of "List of Winners of the John-Hunter Duvar Award"
List of Winners
2023 Nora Richard
2022 Roy MacCaull
2021 Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of PEI
2020 Helping Hands Band
2019 Robert Henderson
2018 Glennis Bowser (posthumously)
2017 Ivan Ashley
2016 Victor Doucette
2015 Almedia Thibideau
2014 Skit n' Skof
2013 Ray & Roy Arsenault of Cascupec
2012 Nan Ferrier of Tyne Valley
2011 Paul Shea of Tignish
2010 B. Roy Dyment of Northam
2009 No recipient this year
2008 Claude Brisson of Mill River
2007 Elaine Wedge of St. Louis
2006 Gerald McNally of Brae
2005 Clare O'Shea of Tignish
2004 Verna Banks of Alberton
2003 Jeanette Birch of Tyne Valley area
2002 Eileen Chaisson Pendergast & Dennis Pitre
2001 The late Terry Pickens of Alberton
2000 Therese d'Amour of Alberton
1999 J. Henri Gaudet of Tignish
1998 Dr. Geoffrey Robinson and wife Dorothy and postumous award to Ray Sark
1997 Edward Fitzgerald of Woodstock
1996 John Cousins of Bloomfield
1995 David Broderick
1994 Olive O'Brien of Woodstock
1993 Blanche Rennie Crockett of Alberton
1992 Mary Graham of Alberton
1991 Don King of Cascumpec
1990 Jean Dewar of O'Leary
1989 Cletus Dunn of Brooklyn
1988 Sister Joan McNeill of Alberton
1987 Dr. George Dewar of O'Leary
1986 Jack Turner of O'Leary
1985 Allan Graham of Alberton
1984 Enid Birch of Birch Hill
1983 Pam Easter of Mill River
Artwork Submission
If you're a local artist and would like to showcase your artwork in our gallery, submit your artwork for consideration. We're always looking for new talent. Workshops Room
Our Workshop Room (lower level) is available for rental. Contact us for more information. [email protected]
