Announcing the New Artistic Director of the Vancouver Poetry House: Joesph Dandurand

The Board of Directors of the Vancouver Poetry House is happy to announce that Joesph Dandurand will join us as our new Artistic Director. Dandurand will be bringing his wealth of experience as a Kwantlen storyteller, poet, playwright, researcher, archaeologist and father to Vancouver Poetry House. Joesph is the Director of the Kwantlen Cultural Center. He also produces plays and writes books for adults and children. As an experienced educator and cultural leader, Joesph will bring valuable guidance to our community.

Holden Wall, Vancouver Poetry House Board President, “We are thrilled to welcome Joesph to help lead Vancouver Poetry House in supporting our growing spoken word community.”

Joseph Dandurand, ”I am excited to get started. This is going to be an important year for VPH with the ten year anniversary of Verses Festival of Words and finding new ways to support spoken word programming for youth.”

Joseph A. Dandurand is a member of Kwantlen First Nation located on the Fraser River about 20 minutes east of Vancouver. He lives there with his 3 children Danessa, Marlysse, and Jace. Joseph is the Director of the Kwantlen Cultural Center. Joseph received a Diploma in Performing Arts from Algonquin College and studied Theatre and Direction at the University of Ottawa. He has just completed his residency as the Storyteller in Residence at the Vancouver Public Library. He sits on a committee for the Canadian Museum of History and is tasked with consulting on the redesign of the new Children’s Museum. He has published 13 books of poetry and the latest are: I WANT by Leaf Press (2015) and HEAR AND FORETELL by BookLand Press (2015) The Rumour (2018) by BookLand Press in (2018) SH:LAM (the doctor) Mawenzi Press (2019) The Corrupted by Guernica Press (2020) his children’s play: Th’owixiya: the hungry Feast dish by Playwrights Press Canada (2019) his book of short stories and short plays for children: The Sasquatch, the fire, and the cedar basket will be published by Nightwood Press along with his poetry manuscript: Here we come (2020-21) He also is very busy Storytelling at many events and Schools.