The Creative Heartbeat of
Maple Ridge and
Pitt Meadows
Arts On is where community and culture converge in fresh, engaging ways. Art brings people together, sparks conversation, and creates meaningful shared experiences. It highlights diverse voices and perspectives, encourages exploration and experimentation, and celebrates creativity in all its forms. Through performances, exhibitions, and programs, Arts On connects people with ideas, stories, and moments that inspire, challenge, and entertain, enriching the cultural life of the community.
Art as a Shared Experience
As the arts council for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, Arts On offers something for everyone: from youth programs that plant the seeds of creativity to professional performances and exhibitions that bring communities closer to the arts.
The work is hands-on, human, and live. In a world often dominated by screens, these experiences create moments of wonder, surprise, and delight, nurturing the creative spirit across generations.
Mission, Vision & Values
Arts On encourages creativity and helps the community connect with the arts through programs and events guided by its mission, vision, values, and programming goals.
Mission
To connect and inspire the communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows through the development, promotion, and celebration of the arts.
Vision
To help foster a vibrant Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows where the arts are an essential and accessible part of everyday life for everyone.
Values
Leadership, Collaboration, Integrity, Diversity, Accessibility, Innovation, Enjoyment
1970s - 1990s
In 1970, the Community Arts Council of Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows was founded on the rich artistic talents of the area. In 1971, the council incorporated as the Community Arts Council of T’Lagunna, a First Nations word for “Golden Ears,” which is the colloquial name for the mountain peaks that define both communities. Through the 1980s, the Arts Council continued to grow and evolved into the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council (MRPMAC), reflecting its consistent service to both communities. In 1982, the Maple Ridge Art Gallery was founded, operating independently with the MRPMAC. Funding for the Gallery came through city agreements, grants, community donations, fundraising activities, and Gallery Shop sales. Since the 1990s, the Arts Council has partnered with the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Parks and Leisure Services Commission to deliver arts programs to the community.
The Maple Ridge –Pitt Meadows Arts Council had moved into the brickyard office building in 1989 but eventually moved uptown to the ACT after 13 years in Port Haney. The Museum took over the building in 2002 and moved most of the community archives into that structure.
2003 - 2005
In 2003, the MRPMAC took on management of The ACT Arts Centre and Theatre, becoming the key presenter in the region and bringing diverse performing artists to local audiences. That same year, the ACT Art Gallery moved within the operations of MRPMAC, taking over from Maple Ridge Art Gallery Society.
The Gallery’s mission is to present stimulating and diverse exhibitions of local, regional, and national artists, complemented by talks, workshops, and presentations to enrich public understanding of visual culture.
2015
Extensive consultation with a broad range of stakeholders took place in 2015, in order to gain knowledge of the community’s understanding of the Arts Council and the Arts Centre. It was found that the many functions and activities developed over forty-five years could be unified under the brand of The ACT Arts Centre, with the byline “Serving Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows,” used to better reflect the organization’s funding and regional focus. This consolidation of the public identity as a society and facility allows for the operations of The ACT Arts Centre to be considered as a whole, rather than as a sum of its parts.
Additionally, it builds on the strength of the already established name in common public use.
2025
In 2025, the MRPMAC and the ACT Arts Centre underwent significant renovations and rebranded as Arts On. The renovations ensured a safe and welcoming environment for all of our members and participants.
Similarly, rebranding to Arts On fulfills our purpose to reflect both the growing needs of the community and the evolving role the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Arts Council plays in community life.