At Van Dop + Associates, we believe in the power of collaboration. Our team is made up of a dynamic group of contractors—each bringing their expertise and passion—to connect culture seekers with culture makers in British Columbia’s #supercultural landscape. United by a shared vision, we work together to amplify the voices of artists, creatives, and cultural organizations, fostering meaningful connections that celebrate and sustain the arts in our province.
Trudy Van Dop
Founder, Publisher + Cultural Entrepreneur
Trudy Van Dop: Champion of British Columbia’s Arts and Culture
With over 35 years dedicated to British Columbia’s arts and cultural sector, Trudy Van Dop has established herself as a leading cultural entrepreneur and advocate for arts and cultural visibility. As the CEO of Van Dop & Associates, based in New Westminster, BC, Trudy has been the visionary in producing BC’s Guide to Arts + Culture, the BC Cultural Crawl, the New West Cultural Crawl, and managing the Van Dop Gallery—a unique art space showcasing contemporary Canadian fine art since 1996.
Trudy’s passion for the arts led her to create one of Western Canada’s most distinctive art galleries, located within her own home and garden. This intimate setting features installations from over 80 artists across Canada, offering visitors a personalized art viewing experience.
Beyond the gallery, Trudy’s commitment to promoting local talent is evident through her publishing endeavors, including BC’s Guide to Arts & Culture, and the development of Art-BC.com, an online platform celebrating the province’s rich cultural landscape.
Throughout her career, Trudy has held various leadership roles, such as President of the Crafts Association of BC and Cultural Program Director for the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival. She has also been a founding member of initiatives like Design Vancouver and the Arts and Cultural Highway, consistently working to elevate the arts community in BC.
Trudy’s exceptional contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the 2008 Best Tourism Marketing Campaign Award from Tourism BC and the Bernie Legge Community Cultural Award in both 2010 and 2014.
In 2023, she was honored with the Community Arts Builder Award by Arts New West, acknowledging her long-term dedication to the arts in New Westminster.
Through her extensive experience and unwavering dedication, Trudy Van Dop continues to be a pivotal figure in connecting culture seekers with culture makers, enriching British Columbia’s vibrant arts scene.
The Team @ Van Dop + Associates
Kahla Yzerman
Creative Director + Communications
Kahla is an artist, educator, and communications professional with 15 years of experience at Van Dop + Associates. An alumna of Emily Carr University majoring in Critical and Cultural Theory and a visual artist, Kahla brings her passion for arts and culture to her role, where she excels in designing, writing, editing and providing creative direction for BC’s Guide to Arts & Culture and the Van Dop Gallery.
