President, John Sterk, Announces His Retirement

March 2, 2020

Long-time Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival President, John Sterk, has advised the GVPAF board of directors of his decision to retire as Festival President, effective May 15, 2020.  While GVPAF will miss John’s steady hand guiding the annual Performing Arts Festival, the entire Festival organization is delighted that John and wife, Jane, will be enjoying a fun-filled retirement with family and friends in the Comox Valley.   

John joined the GVPAF board in October 2015, accepting the board’s offer to take on the role of board president.  During John’s tenure as president, the Performing Arts Festival has expanded to now supporting 21 performance disciplines, installed a high-performance online registration system, expanded our hard-working board to 15 directors, and continued to produce the largest annual performing arts festival on Vancouver Island.   Prior to joining GVPAF, John served as president of the Victoria Youth Orchestra board for 7 years and served on its board for another 9 years . After a combined 20 years of distinguished service in support of youth performing arts, John is setting aside his baton.

The GVPAF board has initiated a search to recruit a new board president, with the view of having our new Festival president in place as of the departure of Mr. Sterk or shortly thereafter.  If you would like more information about the position of GVPAF board president, where you will play a key role in nurturing artistic skills and love of performance in music, dance and theatre arts in Greater Victoria, please visit gvpaf.org/president-opportunity or contact the Festival office by email at festival@gvpaf.org or by phone at 250-386-9223.