the
Trail & District Arts Council
Fostering the arts in Greater Trail for over 40 years. We thank our sponsors, volunteers and patrons for their continued support, dedication and passion for the arts in our community.
Our Story & Mission
The Trail and District Arts Council (TDAC) is a non-profit organization that manages the Bailey Theatre and presents over 50 events annually!
Our vision is to be the arts hub for our region, to be a place where artists love to play, where staff are challenged, inspired and rewarded, where affiliates can get support and where there is something for every community member to discover and enjoy.
Our mission is to enrich Greater Trail by championing accessible, inclusive, and diverse arts experiences, supporting local artists and cultural organizations, and serving as a collaborative hub that inspires creativity, learning, and community connection. Running the Bailey Theatre operations, we present professional and emerging artists in and around Greater Trail.
For full details on our values please read this document.
DEANNA
Marketing & Rentals
Amelia
BEN
Our Staff
Artistic & Exec. Director: Amelia Ewart
Box Office Manager: Deanna Peters
Marketing and Rentals: Vicky Jones
Technical Director: Ben Walker
Finance: Nicole Marbach
Our Directors & Board
President: Adrian Schilke
Vice-President/Treasurer: TBA
Secretary: TBA
Board of Directors: Carolyn Amantea, Carole Bonin, and Peter Katountas.
Are you a local artist or cultural organization?
Looking for some support to launch your next project? Read on!
We currently have three grant opportunities available, Including the Trail & District Arts Council Adult Arts Training Grants, Trail & District Arts Council Youth Arts Training Grants, and the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance grants. View all grants programs.
Looking to make a difference as a volunteer?
So many of you have given back to our community by volunteering with us and we thank you deeply, we could not operate without your help. If you’d like to help us promote the arts in Trail, please review our volunteer opportunities & benefits!
Collaboration Opportunities Through Affiliate Membership
The Trail and District Arts Council serves as a central organization for over 20 affiliated groups, offering collaboration, administrative support, technical assistance, grants, and leadership in advocating for community arts programming.
TRAIL & DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL ARTS TRAINING GRANTS
Grants are now closed and will reopen in early 2027.
TRAIL & DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL ARTS YOUTH TRAINING GRANTS
Grants are now closed and will reopen in early 2027.
COLUMBIA KOOTENAY CULTURE ALLIANCE GRANTS (CKCA) GRANTS
NOW CLOSED. Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) has funding programs for artists and cultural organizations in all disciplines! Several different programs are open for application for each year’s funding cycle starting January 12, 2026.
Please check each program for the application deadline. Please read the program description, criteria and deadlines carefully.
– Funding Policies click here.
– Access, Diversity, and Inclusion click here.
– Frequently Asked Questions click here.
– To begin an application click here.
If you’re unsure where to start, here’s a two-minute video to walk you through each program.
Applications for Community Grants must be received by 5 pm on Friday, February 20, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. All other grant program submissions are due by 5 pm on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Please note, Heritage organizations should investigate alternate funding streams through Columbia Basin Trust and Heritage BC.
Community Grants (formerly called Arts Funding to Communities)
Community Arts Councils, including Trail & District Arts Council, assist CKCA with the application and selection process for the Community Grants program. Each Arts Council is allocated about $6,000 to distribute to artists and arts organizations in their community.
Program guidelines for all programs, including the Community Grant, may be found HERE.
Generally, Community Grant projects receive between $500 and $2,500. Applicants are encouraged to submit a reasonable and realistic budget in order to complete the proposed project. The local arts council adjudicating committee makes recommendations about which projects to support based on the strength and quality of the application. The CKCA Steering committee reviews all recommended applications and makes the final funding decision.
Applications for Community Grants must be received by 5 pm on Friday, February 20, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
Please note: all applications are now online including the “COMMUNITY GRANTS” program.
Please contact the CKCA office at least 10 days prior to the deadline for assistance. If you have questions or need help contact them here.
Please note: all application deadlines are “received by” deadlines, so if you are mailing a hard copy the application must be received by the closing date.
The Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) delivers the Arts and Culture Program on behalf of Columbia Basin Trust. CKCA managed grant programs are focused on arts & culture.
Affiliate Membership
The Trail and District Arts Council serves as a central organization for over 20 affiliated groups, offering collaboration, administrative support, technical assistance, grants, and leadership in advocating for community arts programming.
The Trail and District Arts Council offers the opportunity of membership which is open to any arts organizations of Greater Trail. With your membership, we will keep you informed about what is happening with the arts and artists in our community and you will be demonstrating your support of the arts in our region.
AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
- Eligible for annual project based and operational grant funding (due by 5 pm on March 20, 2026). Members may apply by downloading and filling in the form. Please return the form to info@trail-arts.com.
- Discount on Electronic Message Board Listings
- $35/week (regular $50)
- $105/monthly (regular $150)
- Use of Box office and online ticket services for your events at other venues in the community (general seating only – $3 admin fee per ticket applies)
- Post event posters on our designated indoor and outdoor Regional Arts Events poster boards
- Invaluable amount of local/regional/provincial arts and culture resources including funding opportunities
- Arts Advocacy
- Invitations to special events and openings
- Voting and reporting opportunity at the AGM (1 vote per organization)
- Promotional support on Facebook and distribution of your event details in our weekly e-newsletter. Email info (who, what, where, when, how with a jpeg. image) to marketing@trail-arts.com.
***VISUAL ARTISTS – please also visit VISAC Gallery for community support.
Cost $25 + GST
Valid June 1-May 31
To become a member please fill out the form and drop it into us at 1501 Cedar Ave., or email it to us at info@trail-arts.com.
EDGE Memberships and more!
Be on the EDGE of Your Seat.
“Get the advantEDGE. Support the excitement of performance at The Bailey. Be a member.”
We have a range of levels of membership for you to make the most of all our shows!
From $30 to $100 get there’s something for everyone!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in becoming a sponsor of one of our exciting events or series? Contact us to get more details at 250-364-3003 or email info@trail-arts.com.
HOW CAN I HELP?
Here’s some of our many exciting volunteer opportunities:
- Event set-up and clean-up: You help make everyone else’s jobs easier. When helping with set-up and clean-up for events you will be required to lift chairs and tables, and help setting up the concession and bar for the show. This role requires physical work and is usually a 1-hour commitment before or after the show.
- Ticket takers/ushers: As an usher you are the face of the theatre, and will work welcoming guests and taking their tickets on the door of the Muriel Griffiths Room events. You will also show guests to their seats and answer any questions they may have about the show or the facilities (washroom, bar, concession). This role will require a commitment of 2- 4 hours in length, depending upon the show.
- Bar tending, concession or water station: Working on refreshments means that everyone is happy to see you, so return the favour. These positions require money handling and working with the public, often in a busy environment. If you work at the bar you must have a valid “Serving It Right” certification. You will be required to set-up your area and clear it away once finished, including counting stock. This role will require a commitment of 2 hours in length, depending upon the show.
- Atmosphere agent: The “Atmosphere agent” adds a personal touch to each of our shows through arranging décor. You may put as much time as you want into this position, working on a series (E2, Family or Jazz) or all our shows (up to 20).
- Artist Hospitality: You make the artist happy by filling their ‘hospitality rider’, which may include anything from getting their meals, drinks, and snacks to arranging for the delivery of special gifts or planning their reception. Commitment varies with each show.
- Audience Engagement Strategy: You get to make the performance even more special by working with the Guest Services Manager to make each event more fun, social, memorable and more informative. This is a creative job that requires a strategic plan.
- Community Liaison: You are the face of the Theatre in the community. By developing relationships with different business and community organizations you arrange for us to purchase door prizes at cost (+10%) for our shows. You also help to spread the word about our shows at the same time!
BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING
Besides being invited to the annual Volunteer appreciation party, volunteering:
- Provides the opportunity to make a difference in your community.
- Gives you the opportunity to meet new people with the same passion for the performing arts.
- Makes you a part of a much-loved venue and arts organization.
- Allows you to use your skills in a new way or keep them active when you’re not working.
- Teaches you new skills from fundraising to planning live events.
- Adds to your quality of life as well as those who come to the shows.
- Lets you see shows for free!
In addition to the above, we have volunteer opportunities in our Board of Directors as well as our Committees.
- Board of Directors: The Arts Council is always looking for members of the community who care about culture to join our Governance Board. This includes overseeing the Arts Council’s finances and completing an annual fundraising project.
- Committees: Have a passion for storytelling? Join the White Buffalo event organization team.
To volunteer, please either drop into the Bailey Theatre and fill in a form, or call us at 250-364-3003.
we thank our sponsors
