The following article was contributed by Krista Edwardson, Marketing Services Coordinator at Tourism Vancouver.

On October 6th the Mayor’s Arts Awards were held at the Caprice Night Club in the heart of the Granville entertainment district. It was a fitting location to celebrate the Arts with the buzz of the Vancouver International Film Festival filling the neon lit street. The Mayor’s Arts Awards recognize established and emerging artists – from Literary to Culinary Arts, and Visual to Performing arts – as well as four unique awards for contributions to our community.

The evening was hosted by writer and broadcaster Bill Richardson, who at times had the audience in stitches with his witty and off-the-cuff remarks. Mayor Gregor Robertson shared his experience real time with his twitter followers @mayorgregor “Honouring extraordinary artists of Vancouver + supporters @ Mayor’s arts awards http://ow.ly/1ydFVB”

So much talent and inspiration was present at this year’s event. Christopher Gaze, founding Artistic Director of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival , former Tourism Vancouver board member and the 2011 Mayor’s Arts Award recipient for Theatre, spoke about the vision for our beautiful city. He eloquently stated he would like to see Vancouver become the cultural capital of Canada and a worldwide destination for Arts and Culture lovers.

Marlie Oden, Board president of Vancouver TheatreSports, was honoured with the Mayor’s Arts Award for “Board Member of the Year” for her work and contribution to the arts community. Jay Ono, Vancouver TheatreSports League’s executive director said, “We could not have opened The Improv Centre without Marlie’s determination and leadership. We offer her a round of applause.”

The Alliance for Arts and Culture, the voice of Metro Vancouver’s arts, culture and heritage community played an integral role as co-producers of this annual event. They also provide support and services to over 350 members, strengthening our creative and artistic visions for the future.

This celebration was reminiscent of Tourism Vancouver’s 108th Annual AGM when Howard Jang, executive director of the Arts Club Theatre Company became the first arts and culture representative to chair the Tourism Vancouver board. Howard declared the next ten years to be the “decade of arts and culture” in Vancouver. It looks like these plans are full steam ahead.