The Kamloops-Thompson School Board has thrown its support behind a new Kamloops Centre for the Arts.

Board Chair Kathleen Karpuk says the school owns Sagebrush theatre and books it for 100 days of the year which is a lot of time being taken away from other groups. “But, we’d actually like to get more days in the Sagebrush Theatre so that we can have more opportunities for our students to be exposed to the arts. And we’d like them to be exposed to a greater variety of arts and that’s where our support for the Performing Arts Centre comes in.”

Karpuk says a new facility would allow also expose students to a bigger variety of art forms and provide a better space for graduation ceremonies. “It would allow us to have more time in the theatre and for our students to be able to use it. It would give them more exposure to a greater variety of arts like theatre productions and music productions. A possible venue for graduations. Right now we’re doing graduations in a hockey arena which is not always the best venue.”

Karpuk says when students are exposed to a robust arts experience, they do better in school. “To give you an idea, school’s in session for approximately 184 days of the year. So, if we were able to use that theatre even a few days more, then we would probably be in there almost every day of the week if we could.”

Karpuk says a new arts centre would also be capable of attracting new and different exhibits and performances that wouldn’t otherwise come to Kamloops which would provide new educational opportunities.