Cultural Catalyst
A prominent figure in the development of BC cultural events and organizations since 1982, Sal is truly a cultural catalyst. He has organized, promoted, directed, and managed multiple local, provincial, national and international events. He has advised cultural funding organizations on funding, assessment, equity and artistic policy, and has successfully advocated for the expansion and delivery of cultural funding.
Sal has participated on numerous radio and TV interviews, conferences and forums, on the subjects of culture, world music, artistic diversity and most notably on rhythm for English, Spanish, and French language shows.
Within his cultural work, Sal has been, and is, actively involved with a variety of organizations as a member of:
- Arts Umbrella Board of Directors, since 2009;
- Rosario Ancer Flamenco Arts Society Board of Directors, since 2015;
- Vancouver Foundation Arts Advisory, from 2009 – 2013;
- British Columbia Arts Council, from 2002 – 2008;
- The cultural advisory committee for the Vancouver/Whistler Olympic Bid Committee from 2002 – 2003;
- and was Chair of the World Music Committee for the Percussive Arts Society in 2001 – 2004.
In 2014, Sal was a speaker at TEDxKPU, you can watch his talk here.
Here is a summary of his production credits, and events from over the past 30 years.
Artistic & Creative Director
- Repercussion: Vancouver, International Bhangra Celebration 2009/2010
- Multiple events in BC Scene at the National Arts Centre, Ottawa 2009
- Drum Song, video for BC/Canada House Beijing Summer Olympics 2008
- Listen Up Festival Vancouver East Cultural Centre, 2001-2006
- Vancouver International Writers Festival Literary Cabaret, 1988-
- Vancouver Folk Music Festival, 1994-1995
- Drum Heat Percussion Festival, 1986-
- International Talent Victoria Commonwealth Games, 1994
- Midsummer’s Night Gala for Queen Elizabeth II Victoria, 1994
- Music 91 Gala Canada Place Convention Centre
- Assistant Director: World Drum Festival Expo 86 Vancouver, Expo 88 Brisbane, Australia, Calgary Olympic Festival 1988, Expo 98 Lisbon, Portugal and Expo 2000 Hanover, Germany.
Producer
- Global Beats Soundstreams Cool Drummings Festival Toronto 2007 and 2008
- Aboriginal Music Lab, Vancouver Community College, Vancouver 2007, 2008
- Choral Riffs Celebration 2010 for Vancouver’s Olympic Bid 2003
- Open House, Commodore Ballroom events and workshops, MusicFest Vancouver (multiple years from 2000 – 2008)
- World Music/World Myth Vancouver Symphony Orchestra 1996
- Symphonic Salsa Vancouver Symphony Orchestra 1998
Cultural Programs
- Aboriginal Human Resource Council, 2009
Success Story – Salvador Ferreras, PhD - Coordinator of World Percussion Sessions Percussive Arts Society International Conferences in Columbus, Ohio 2002 and Nashville, Tennessee 2001.
- Programme Director of Simon Fraser’s Summer World Percussion Intensive 1993-1999
- Project Manager: AfroCubanismo 1996 Banff School of Fine Arts
- Project Consultant: AfroCubanismo 1994 Banff School of Fine Arts
Broadcasting and Public Speaking Engagements
- Culture Days Keynote Address City of Surrey, BC. Fall 2014
- Sam Sullivan Public Salon Vancouver Playhouse Theatre September 2010
- Latin American Festival Scholar’s presentation University of Central Florida, Orlando, Spring, 2007
- Keynote Speaker Arts Umbrella Professional Development Day, Vancouver, September 2008
- Keynote Speaker, College Music Society Northwest Chapter, February, 2007
- Scholar’s presentation at Creative Music Institute Symposium in Vancouver, June 2005
- Scholar’s presentation Society for Ethnomusicology International Conference in Tucson, Arizona, Fall 2004
- Scholar’s presentation Society for Ethnomusicology International Conference in Estes Park, Colorado Fall 2002
- Keynote Speaker: International Baccalaureate Conference Vancouver 1997, 2003
- Host: CBC National Network Victoria Day special music from the Rain Coast 1996
- Host: CBC National Radio Network eight part series Out of this World June-July 1992
- Guest commentator CBC Radio’s The Entertainers series on the Rumba 1991
Canada Council for the Arts: Juror
- Stand Firm Equity Office, 2002
- Sound Recordings Grants, 1990, 2002
- Cultural Diversity Adjudications, 1998
- Touring Office Advisory, 1992-1994
- Small Ensembles, 1992
- Explorations, 1990-1992
- Short Term Grants, 1991
Board Member & Advisor
- Ontario Arts Council, 1995, 2007
- Chalmers Award, 1996
- Juno Awards, 1998
- Member, Board o Governors Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation 1997 – 1999
- Advisor – Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Project 2001 – 2004
- Consultant – Canada’s Year of Asia Pacific 1995
- Member, Music Advisory to the British Columbia Arts Council, 1992-95, 1997-2000
Learn more about the Canada Council for the Arts here.