Jane is a retired Cultural Administrator from the City of Richmond. Since 1998 until her retirement she served as the Manager, then inaugural Director of the Department of Arts, Culture and Heritage Services where she oversaw the creation of three Art Strategies, the Arts Awards, several major festivals including the Children’s Arts Festival and Maritime Festival, developer provided Artist Residential Tenancy units and work only studios, and the prominent inclusion of arts and heritage in the Official Community Plan. She was a founding member and past president of the Creative City Network, a national organization of municipal cultural administrators. Jane is currently on the board of the Gateway Theatre Society.
Of particular area of interest is art in City and community building; art in the public realm; and increasing the amount and quality of creation, performance and exhibition spaces. She is an avid dance performance attender.
I am an accounting student at KPU, taking a post-baccalaureate diploma. I have taken Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting courses, as well as general business, software, and economics courses. I have a background in non-profit work. From 2009 to 2013, I worked in volunteer and staff positions with Options Clinics. I also worked with Vancouver Coastal Health as a medical office assistant.
I have always been creative and was definitely an “art kid” growing up. I largely focused on writing, collage, graphic design, and desktop publishing, but also did some painting and a lot of knitting. Since 2016, I have been home fulltime with my young kids. From 2016 to 2020, I wrote a blog on motherhood and mental health. During the pandemic, I really found comfort in creating visual art again. I have taken up watercolours, ceramics, and embroidery. I am hoping to develop a more distinct artistic voice and try my hand at mosaics and murals.
Sarah Glen is a Richmond-based communications professional and illustrator with a passion for collaborative, community projects involving arts and heritage. She has extensive experience in marketing, fundraising and events, and has worked in the charitable sector for over 20+ years. A BSc graduate of the Interactive Arts program at Simon Fraser University’s School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Sarah is fascinated with how audiences engage and interact with new media. She employs a user-focused design approach to create solutions for the challenges that come up in her everyday work. Sarah has also completed her certificate in Non-Profit Management at SFU.
In her past role as the Executive Director for the Steveston Historical Society, she especially enjoyed working alongside the Richmond Arts Coalition Board on various initiatives; particular highlights include the Fishermen’s Park Mural, Walking Tour Vignettes, and Songs in the Snow.
On weekends, Sarah enjoys canoe adventures with her family where she finds inspiration (and materials) for her whimsical mixed-media art projects.
Victor Naing is a finance and SAP technology professional with over 17 years of experience supporting SMEs, large enterprises and non-profit organizations across Asia and North America in implementing digital transformation initiatives in corporate financial management. He holds an MBA from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia and is an award-winning sessional faculty member at University Canada West, where he teaches MBA-level courses in financial management and digital transformation. Victor has been actively involved in Richmond local arts community. As a resident of Richmond over 15 years, Victor’s family is passionate about visual, performing and musical arts.
Cindy Gong, immigrated from China to Canada in 2006. She graduated from UBC Sauder Business School MBA program in 2010. Professionally, she is a Senior Financial Executive with extensive experience in strategy management, risk management, financial planning and reporting. She worked in several multi-national organizations in finance leadership roles in North America and Asia Pacific, such as ADM, SNC-Lavalin, Alstom etc, currently working for Thrive Food Group, a world leading freeze dry manufacturer as Business Controller. Beyond her career, she has deep passion for art, with interests spanning painting, Chinese calligraphy, music, and dancing.
Jimmy Ho is a public policy professional with a background in sociology and policy analysis, bringing experience in strategic planning, governance, and community-based initiatives. A long-time Richmond resident, he is committed to supporting the growth of the local arts and culture sector as a vital contributor to community well-being and social connection.
Jimmy has worked with nonprofit organizations and public sector partners to advance inclusive, community-driven initiatives. He recognizes the role of the arts in strengthening social bonds, amplifying diverse voices, and fostering dialogue across communities. Drawing on his policy expertise, he supports the development of sustainable strategies that enhance access to arts and culture and contribute to a vibrant, resilient local ecosystem.
Artistic Director & Content Creator with CircusWest / Nonesuch.
Bharti Jain is a long-time resident of Richmond with a background in interior design, real estate, and visual arts. Her passion for art has given her a deep appreciation of its vital role in supporting mental well-being and fostering connection across diverse communities. With prior experience as a board member and an active leader in community groups, Bharti brings strong organizational skills, expertise in coordinating community events, and a solid understanding of the arts.
Jill Raymond has worked internationally as a performer and creator, with contracts spanning three continents over the last 20+ years.. In 2018 she founded the award-winning theatre company, Direct Theatre Collective in Richmond, where she remains the Artistic Director. Jill has also worked extensively with theatre artists and companies in roles spanning communications, arts administration, marketing and press relations. In every instance of her professional life she has taken every challenge and created opportunity, and proven her breadth and versatility as an artist – and – ARTrepreneur. She is passionate about the RACs advocacy for arts in Richmond, and supporting Richmond-based artists to enhance the artistic community here.
A Steveston resident of over 30 years, Julian is a retired civil engineer, having practiced engineering as a consultant in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Ontario. Julian has been involved in Richmond community as a member of the Richmond Photo Club (RPC), where he is the current president and treasurer. Julian has volunteered many hours documenting in photography various events in Richmond for Thompson Community Association, Richmond Arts Coalition (RAC), Community Arts Council of Richmond (CACR), London Farm Historical Society and Richmond Public Library.
June is an artist, worker, and student who has called Richmond home for the past two years. He is currently an Urban Studies Student through UBC’s geography department. His passion for healthy, creative, empowered communities is a driving force behind much of his study and research. From volunteering at local arts festivals, hosting shows, building places for play, and creating murals to working as a stagehand on concerts for pop stars and composers, his passion for the arts and the people who are part of it drives much of his time with others.
As a card-carrying Baby Boomer, after a formal arts education, Ralph apprenticed as a stair maker. As an artisan, he was able to build movie sets, homes in Japan, and be accepted for numerous large public space projects specializing with architectural concrete. He was approached by CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) and completed 24 assignments all over the planet. As Senior Consultant, his job was to assist and develop artists and art communities. Any exceptional artists, he could bring to Canada to show at various trade fairs. Furniture, he could take to the trade show in New York City. COVID abruptly ended that career. He shifted to small scale found pieces using only recycled materials in his own studio. Ralph’s work has been shown at: the Vancouver Art Gallery, Pendulum Gallery, and currently Outsiders and Others Gallery on Howe Street.
ABOUT RICHMOND ARTS COALITION
The City of Richmond Parks, Recreation and Culture department completed a Master Plan and Arts Strategy for the City of Richmond. These plans identified the need for an organization to bring artists and arts organizations together to discuss issues and advocate with one voice. The Richmond Arts Coalition meets that need.
RAC continues to build a strong, united, member-driven organization that serves the interests of artists and arts and culture organizations in Richmond. The membership elected a steering committee made up of representatives from the artistic community. RAC is making steady progress towards our membership’s goals and our community’s aspirations; thank you to our members for your continued support and confidence.
The Richmond Arts Coalition is your ArtsVoice for the arts and artists of Richmond.
V – a Volunteer-led organization, we
O – Offer opportunities for artists and the arts within Richmond,
I – Inform artists and assist with innovative ideas,
C – Connect artists, businesses, and audiences, and
E – Engage and advocate for the arts community
We are a welcoming and inclusive member-driven association that supports and celebrates culture and arts activity in Richmond.
We aspire to create support for a diversity of cultural and arts experiences by ensuring that artists, arts organizations and arts supporters can contribute to the quality of life in Richmond. We:
- Advocate for arts and culture to all levels of government
- Work with other coalitions for arts and culture
- Provide a communications platform for culture and the arts
- Advocate for a new cultural and performing arts facility in Richmond
- Ensure that Richmond arts and culture are represented at major events in Richmond
- Support local artists