The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts (SCFPA) is a non-profit society which aims to promote the advancement of performing arts excellence and appreciation on the Sunshine Coast, and to support community access to music and the arts.

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The SCFPA is celebrating its 44th anniversary with Festival 2017, making it the longest running Festival on the Sunshine Coast! Modelled on Vancouver’s Kiwanis Festival, the Sunshine Coast Music and Drama Festival was founded in 1973 to provide opportunities for Coast performers to receive guidance in our own community from experienced professional adjudicators who come here from all across Canada.

Aletta Gilker and Mary Brooke were founding members, along with Barbara Cattanach, Marla Chatham, George Cooper, Elizabeth Kennett, Betty and George McKee, Hilda and Stuart Mitton, Jean Reid and Margaret Webb.

This Festival has grown dramatically from its initial two days of sessions with 30 entrants, and since 2007 includes dance and music. A non-profit society with charitable status, the generous support of community donors also makes it possible for the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts to provide awards and scholarships annually to outstanding individuals and groups to encourage their ongoing development as performers. Many students pursue post-secondary education with financial assistance from Festival awards. Each year exceptional performers are selected to gain additional experience by participation in the Provincial Festival, Performing Arts BC.

www.coastfestival.com