Denis Simpson Fund
Supporting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
The idea for this fund came out of many internal Arts Club discussions throughout 2020 centered around how to best institute long-term, sustainable, systemic change. This endowment, which will help support ongoing apprenticeships, commissions, internships, and much more, will be put exclusively towards supporting the continued decolonization of the institution.
The Denis Simpson Fund is endowed in the Arts Club's Foundation, which means that the principal amount put into the fund will be invested and continue to grow over time. It's the gift that keeps on giving!
To read the Arts Club's Statement of Actions, click here.
GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
Denis Simpson was a wonderfully gifted actor, singer, writer, director, and choreographer. He was also a true, consummate entertainer. From Ain't Misbehavin’ to Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Denis’s unique presence graced the Arts Club’s stages for 25 years in over 20 productions.
Two of the many highlights of Denis’s career include writing, directing, and starring in his one-man show Denis Anyone? (Revue Stage, 1995–1996)—which described his experience growing up Black in Canada and earned him a Jessie Richardson Theatre Award—and co-writing and directing the musical Wang Dang Doodle (Granville Island Stage, 1999–2000).
Born in Jamaica, Denis arrived in Canada at the age of 8, spending his early years in Toronto. His career began at the age of 19 when he performed in the original Canadian production of Hair at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre. His face and talent became nationally known in 1978 when he was the host of the popular children’s TV series Polka Dot Door and an original member of the a cappella singing group The Nylons. Simpson appeared on screen many times, but his love was always the theatre.
He selflessly gave his time to countless charitable activities, including raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic and supporting fundraisers to benefit the cultural community of Greater Vancouver and Canada as a whole.
Denis is an inductee of the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame. His sudden passing on October 22, 2010, deeply impacted those around him, including his fellow artists, colleagues, fans, and family.
His sister Gloria Reuben stated, "Everyone who loves Denis knows he would be thrilled and humbled that this very special fund at the Arts Club is being established in his name."
2024–2025
Johnny Trinh — Cambodian Rock Band Assistant Director
“Since arriving in Vancouver, and for all the same reasons I left Toronto, I found it so hard to "get in the room" as an artist. From the moment that I sent my letter of intent, the whole process in which the Arts Club, and this ensemble of creatives and cast has brought me in… has been life changing.
I was welcomed into the community, and I am moved by the realization that there are so so so many important, relevant, revenue-generating works created by Asian artists. It's galvanizing. I feel so privileged to be part of the tapestry. And I also know that it wouldn't exist without organizations like Arts Club doing the work to curate this work- giving it what it needed to succeed.”
2023–2024
Nicole Laurent — Guys & Dolls Assistant Choreographer
“The Denis Simpson Fund is a great support. I think it gives the artist the opportunity to start establishing themselves while being financially supported. Keep supporting the Arts, you don’t know how many dreams you make possible. Your contribution supports the future of theatre. When you donate, you give emerging artists access to vital professional experience.”
2022–2023
Carley Ishii — Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Assistant Choreographer
"In this industry it can sometimes be the same group of people getting hired, because you want to work with people you trust and who have experience. But then that can mean that emerging artists, and especially BIPOC artists who it feels like have even fewer opportunities and aren't as represented in this industry, are not being given those same chances. This fund is really helping to open that door for artists like myself, so we can gain real-world experience and build these important relationships."
Desirée Leverenz — Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Assistant Director
“I think that these opportunities are important, because in order to create learning for all members of the company, it is important that it is not top down; instead, the learning must be in the spirit of reciprocity, and care. Paying a living salary to artists is one way to do that. These opportunities are vital to the healthy ecology of theatre, and should not just be one off opportunities, but should instead be woven into the fabric of each and every project.”
2021–2022
Adonis Critter King — Kinky Boots Assistant Director
"It's been such an incredible opportunity to get my foot in the door and learn from all these incredible people in this space. The future of theatre really depends on opportunities like these to help bring in new voices and spaces and I'm so grateful to be here and keep growing in my field."
Tina Chang — Kinky Boots Assistant Musical Director
“I don't know if I've ever come across an opportunity like the one that the Denis Simpson Fund has provided. Being able to work with Ken Cormier through all the various duties that he as a music director does has allowed me to really expand my knowledge on the responsibilities and skills in the world of musical theatre. Without it, I think there would be many surprises and a steeper learning curve as I continue to hone and foster my skills as a musician. Without donors who fund these programs, my continuing education as an artist would not be as well-rounded as it could be."
What is the Arts Club Foundation?
The Arts Club Foundation is a public foundation which was formed to solicit and receive legacies, gifts, grants, settlements, bequests, endowments, funds, and property of any kind and distribute funds and property. The Arts Club Society is the beneficiary of the Foundation.
The Foundation disburses income to the Society each year to be used for a variety of initiatives like the Denis Simpson Fund, Bill Millerd Artist Fund, Silver Commissions, and more.
What is an endowment?
An endowment fund is a permanent fund used as a way to ensure a consistent stream of income that can be used to support the Arts Club’s mission for years to come. Because the capital is invested and the principal investment is never drawn down, the fund provides stability and commitment for our future.
All funds designated to the Denis Simpson Fund are placed in the Arts Club Foundation’s endowment as a permanent investment. Over the past two years we’ve put almost $100,000 into this fund. The intention of the fund is to generate enough income annually to provide funding for apprenticeships, commissions, and other projects that provide greater representation for BIPOC theatre workers. The more money fundraised for the Denis Simpson Fund, the more funding we’ll have to create opportunities.
Since the principal in an endowment is protected, the fund will be able to generate income in perpetuity. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Who is in charge of the Arts Club Foundation?
Like the Arts Club Society, the Arts Club Foundation is managed by a volunteer board of directors. The Arts Club Board of Directors serve for a maximum of 6 years and meet quarterly.
How often will you be offering apprenticeships?
At the end of the season in August, we will review how the Foundation’s investments performed over the past year. With this information, the artistic team, along with our finance department, will then determine how many internships and apprenticeships will be possible in the coming year.
Who is receiving this money?
Prior to every season, the artistic team and EDIA officers at the Arts Club will seek to identify projects, as well as artists from equity-seeking groups, that would mutually benefit from a Denis Simpson Fund apprenticeship.