On August 28, 2025, City staff presented to the Build Kamloops Select Committee a proposed operating model for the Kamloops Centre for the Arts.

In January 2025, the City’s Cultural Services and Events Manager toured 18 arts centres across southern BC, gathering insights through surveys, site visits, and follow-up discussions. This research, combined with the 2019 business case, informed the proposed governance model for the Kamloops Centre for the Arts.

The recommended structure is a City-owned facility operated by an independent not-for-profit society registered under the Societies Act. The City would retain responsibility for the building envelope and major systems, while the society would manage day-to-day operations and theatre equipment through a service agreement. The society would remain independent of any programming organizations, ensuring neutrality and broad community engagement. The Build Kamloops Select Committee recommends that Council:

• Endorse the proposed governance and operating model;
• Direct staff to establish the not-for-profit society and recruit a board of directors with community partners;
• Request staff to return with detailed plans for board composition, governance timelines, financial considerations, and funding strategies.

This model promotes transparency, community involvement, and financial sustainability, while transferring operational risk from the City to the society. A diverse board will guide strategic direction and appoint an executive director to oversee operations. Read the full report here.