Founded in 1977, the Italian Cultural Centre’s mission is “to promote Italian language, culture and heritage and to share these with other communities”. Created by volunteers, the Centre serves as a vital reference and focal point for the Lower Mainland’s Italian Canadian Community. The Italian Cultural Centre’s (il Centro) programs and activities include: an Italian language school, a heritage museum and art gallery, a library and resource Centre, performing arts presentations, film screenings, literary events, public lecture series, banquet and catering services, wine tastings, cooking classes, and other culinary events.

Il Centro has operated for 40 years and presents a broad spectrum of cultural programming, events and activities on an annual basis. In addition, to our cultural program and activities, Il Centro also houses 30 member associations (representing Italian regions, activities, and cities), a resident Montessori School (Westside Montessori Academy, grades: K to 7), a tenant restaurant (La Piazza Dario’s Ristorante Italiano), and has developed two separate housing complexes; Casa Serena, a seniors housing complex, and Villa Carital an assisted living centre for seniors.

With roots in Valpolicella Classica, Masi produces and distributes Amarone and other premium wines inspired by the values of the Venetian territories. The use of native grapes and autochthonous methods, and the research and experimentation carried out by its Technical Group, make it one of the most famous producers of high-quality Italian wines in the world. The Masi story began in 1772, when the Boscaini family acquired prestigious vineyards in the small valley called “Vaio dei Masi”, which is the origin of the company’s name. After more than 200 years of passionate winemaking the company is still in family hands, run by the sixth and seventh generations. A benchmark in the art of producing Amarone at a world level, Masi constantly innovates and passes on its expertise in the Appassimento method, which has been practised since the time of the Ancient Romans.

For more than forty years, Masi has carried out an ambitious project of development for historic wineries, collaborating with:

Conti Serego Alighieri, descendants of the poet Dante and owners of the Valpolicella estate with the longest history and tradition Conti Bossi Fedrigotti, the prestigious brand from Trentino Canevel, producers of top-quality sparkling wines in Valdobbiadene Masi also owns the organically run estates of Poderi del Bello Ovile in Tuscany and Masi Tupungato in Argentina. The Group makes wines that are recognized and appreciated in more than 120 countries. Masi is also a partner in groups and associations that promote high quality Italian products internationally, such as: Fondazione Altagamma, Comitato Leonardo, Istituto Grandi Marchi, and Amarone Families.

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City of Vancouver’s Cultural Services — Supporting artists and arts, cultural and creative organizations through culture policy, grants, awards and cultural spaces. Commissioning and restoring public artworks. Developing and stewarding civic cultural spaces. Leading negotiations, oversight and monitoring of non-market cultural facility leases on City land.

In 2019, the Creative City Strategy, Making Space for Arts and Culture, and the Vancouver Music Strategy will provide direction on ways the City can maintain the high level of satisfaction residents currently enjoy as well as make its investments more equitable, reflect the diversity of the city, increase accessibility and reduce barriers to participation, and address affordability of spaces for artists and cultural workers.

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