Jan 10, 2022
Vancouver, BC – Faculty Emerita Jane Heyman was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for ‘her long-lasting contributions to Vancouver’s cultural landscape through her various roles within the theatre sector’.
The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest civilian honours. Its Companions, Officers, and Members take to heart the motto of the Order: Desiderantes meliorem patriam ("They desire a better country").
Jane Heyman is a Jessie-award winning director who worked as a full-time member of the Theatre Arts faculty between 1985 and 2005. She served as the department’s first Associate Director from 1991 until her retirement, and was instrumental in building Studio 58 into a nationally renowned program. Jane remains deeply connected to the department, as a member of the Theatre Arts Advisory Committee, and periodic director of student productions, including February 2016’s The Train Carr. In 2016, she received an Emeritum Award, an honourary title given to retiring or retired faculty or staff to recognize their outstanding contribution to teaching, research, service, or leadership at the College.
After retirement, she created the Jane Heyman Fund for Creative Collaboration, and co-chaired the Studio 58 Legacy Fund. Jane continues to work professionally as a director, dramaturg and educator. She also co-founded Vancouver’s Performing Arts Lodge (PAL), a unique social housing and theatre complex in Coal Harbour that provides an affordable home – and much-needed creative opportunities – for senior performing arts professionals.
She is honoured to have received the YWCA Woman of Distinction for Arts and Culture; Alliance for Arts & Culture, Arts Board Member of the Year; GVPTA Career Achievement Jessie Richardson Award; UBCP Sam Payne Award for humanity, integrity, and encouragement of young talent and the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association Larry McCance Award.
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, announced 135 appointments to the Order of Canada on December 29, 2021. The new appointees include two Companions (C.C.), 39 Officers (O.C.), one honourary Member, and 93 Members (C.M.).
About the Order of Canada
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. More than 7,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order. Those who bear the Order’s iconic snowflake insignia have changed our nation’s measure of success and, through the sum of their accomplishments, have helped us build a better Canada. Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.
About snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College
Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 23,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as snəw̓eyəɬ leləm 'house of teachings', a name given to it by Musqueam, on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located.
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Mark Dawson
Manager, Public Affairs
Langara College
mdawson@langara.ca
