GRANTEE HIGHLIGHT
Recipient: The Hearth—Arts on Bowen
Project: New Website
Grant: $3,000
In September 2025, the Hearth—Bowen Theatre launched its dazzling new website with support from a Bowen Island Community Foundation Community Impact Grant. The website provides a convenient one-stop destination to browse the diverse programming at the new theatre, from community events and children’s movies to musical performances, classic films, dance, and Bowen’s own amazing theatrical productions. Each upcoming event rotates as a large-format feature in the program carousel. An integrated shopping cart allows you to buy your tickets right there and add event information to your calendar.
The Bowen Theatre opened in April 2025, and the first months—hectic at times—were spent working out all the many systems needed to get things running smoothly. When the website launched in September, it created a clear and streamlined home for event information, ticketing, and links to the Hearth’s other programs. The website makes the theatre’s programs much more accessible to everyone—locals, day-trippers, and visitors looking for something exciting to do while they’re enjoying a longer stay on-island.
One of the additions to the website design was a simple but prominent call-out on the home page for volunteers—the folks who help every event run smoothly at the front of the house: selling tickets, answering questions, serving drinks and snacks, ushering guests to their seats. When you see your neighbour working the drinks bar at the movie, you’re seeing community participation made possible by the theatre website.
The new website also provides visitors with a window onto the Hearth’s other venue, the gallery. The links from the theatre site to the Hearth’s primary website have brought many new subscribers to the Hearth’s newsletter, which keeps the community informed about all their programs and events. Those new subscribers may become new members, increasing the level of community participation in the Hearth itself.
Bowen Islanders identified Community Building as a major priority during our most recent Vital Conversations engagement, which guides the Foundation’s decisions about how to allocate resources. This Community Impact Grant enhanced the theatre’s capacity to gather us together for the arts, education, and fun. The theatre’s programming has been a huge success—already exceeding expectations in terms of the sheer number of events and the huge audience turnout. The website makes connections between all of the arts on Bowen. All ages come to programs at the theatre and volunteers of many ages work the front of house to make our movie nights more fun. The Foundation is proud to have played a role in the successful first year for the Bowen Theatre.
The new website is not only beautiful, but also easy to use. Explore the site for yourself and discover the wealth of exciting performances happening at the new Bowen Theatre.
Have art in your heart? Make a donation today to the Community Impact Fund, which has been funding arts and culture initiatives on Bowen Island for more than two decades, keeping us entertained and connected, and providing outlets for our many creative talents.
Lead Image: Angel Spendlove, photo courtesy Ballet BC Annex
