Spend an afternoon shopping at Coquitlam Centre, working out at Innovative Fitness or kayaking Vancouver's waters.
Those are some of the $10,000 worth of prizes available in Place des Arts' seventh annual online auction, a fundraiser that supports residents and families in need by providing arts education spots through the Maillardville facility.
The virtual auction via 32auctions.com opened this morning, Oct. 21, and will end Nov. 4 with a goal of bringing in $7,000 for registration subsidies in camps, sessions and after-school programs, as well as bursaries, supplies and equipment upgrades.
CEO Joan McCauley told the Tri-City News the online auction is an easy way to get people involved in raising funds and building awareness about the Brunette Avenue venue.
"It's a really good way to start Christmas shopping, too, while supporting the arts," McCauley said.
"The arts really does provide a benefit to individuals and the community."
"The auction is a fun way to contribute to the arts," added development co-ordinator Vishakha Uppoor, who began reaching out to donors in the spring.
Among the 50 items in the 2023 auction are:
- a two-night stay at Water's Edge in Ucluelet
- a Grizzli winery tour and tasting in Kelowna
- two 2024 tickets to a regular season Whitecaps match at BC Place
- 10 tickets to the Vancouver International Film Festival
- a $500 gift certificate to Muse + Maven
- original art by Jeff Wilson
- an art supply gift basket from Opus
- an autographed photo of Canucks captain Quinn Hughes
For cash donations, tax receipts will be issued for over $10.
Meanwhile, the popular 50–50 draws that Place des Arts held during its golden anniversary celebrations are expected to return next spring, McCauley said.
