How to Support

None at this time.

As many of you will no doubt be aware, the past two years have been a difficult time for non-profit organizations across the country, as funding support both from private donors and foundations and from various levels of government becomes increasingly restricted and competition intensifies for a dwindling resource.We, the Board of Directors and the co-founders of the Tir-na-nOg Theatre School, hold fast to a vision that has inspired and guided twenty-four years of continuous work toward the establishment of a dedicated – and affordable – place in which the young people of Bowen Island can embrace the Art of Theatre as a vehicle for self-discovery and expression.  The place is here.  The young people are, even now, passionately, imaginatively, tenaciously engaged in the adventure.

Once the mortgage on the School building’s construction cost is paid (only $477,991 to go!), the School’s expense for its facility will be $1 per month for the duration of its ninety-nine year lease. Thenthe goal of affordability toward which we, the stewards of Tir-na-nOg, labour – with every expectation of success – will be a manifest reality.Tir-na-nOg was born on Bowen, rooted in the fertile soil of Island life, and through these past twenty-four years has grown its unique program of Theatre Arts in direct response to the effervescent enthusiasm, imagination and spirit of local young people. Working through a Laban-based approach to classical stage training ~ ‘acting from the inside out’ ~ in contrast to the ‘star syndrome’ which currently dominates popular culture, the School places a traditional emphasis on group awareness and co-operative action ~ not single stars, but galaxies brightly shining.In addition to its public performances, which many members of the surrounding community regularly attend, special performances for all of the local schools ensure that all local children have access to live theatre performances by their contemporaries. We believe that this focus of activity is essential, not only for those creatively practicing it, but also for the Community as a whole.
Tir-na-nOg is a working theatre school, and its primary mandate is to support the needs of young people. It adheres to a strict policy of inclusiveness ~ no child has ever been turned away for lack of the ability to pay tuition.  In fact, the number of young people on bursaries is greater this year than ever before. ~ In short, it’s for the kids!  During the past two years, the Theatre School has experienced the diminuation of external sources of financial support to the point that, with the recent and unforeseen cessation of grants from a primary funding foundation, a sum equivalent to 42% of its former total budget has melted into air ~. Clearly, the crisis this represents for the Theatre School necessitates immediate action in order to weather the near term while seeking a sustainable solution to its funding deficit.
To that end, we present these facts in prelude to this invitation to become a supporter of the Tir-na-nOg Theatre School Society, either through a contribution to its daily operation, or by working with us to find a long-term and stable solution. (As the Society is a registered charity, all donations will be acknowledged with a tax-valid receipt.) Donations can be made by credit card through this website (look for the CanadaHelps button at the top of this page), or by mailing a cheque to the Society at:

585 Rivendell Drive
Bowen Island, BC
V0N 1G2

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discuss a potential donation, or if you would like to view the facility and discuss the work we do with the Island’s young people. We will be grateful to receive your questions, thoughts, suggestions or fund-raising ideas.  The possibilities for a positive outcome are many, and, as we feel that this work with young people is sufficiently important to merit all of the energy that we can direct toward it, so are we confident of a successful realization of the vision of Tir-na-nOg. In that spirit we invite you to join with us in this great adventure.

Sincerely,

Allice Bernards, Amy Nosek, Paul Stewart, Megan Nosek and Sharon MacGuigan
Board of Directors for the Tir-na-nOg Theatre School Society
& Tir-na-nOg Co-founders and Artistic Directors: Julie Tetzner and Jack Headley

If you would like to discuss channels for contributions , offer other suggestions or fund-raising ideas ~ or for more detailed information concerning the Theatre School Society’s financial situation or its lease on the Tir-na-nOg Building ~ please contact us through the telephone number or email address below:

604 947 9507 tirnanog@telus.net