ICA offers services for newcomers including settlement and integration counseling, translation and interpretation, English classes, mentoring and volunteer matching, and peer support groups. We also provide outreach and education in the community with workshops on anti-racism, multiculturalism, diversity awareness, immigration, and human rights.

ICA’s arts programs celebrate the worth and potential of a culturally diverse community through artistic expression. Founded in 1971 as an organization to produce the long-running multicultural arts festival FolkFest, ICA has evolved over the years to encompass many different strategies for the creation and support of a welcoming community for newcomers to Canada. The Luminara Community Lantern Festival takes place every summer in Beacon Hill Park and St. Ann's Academy grounds.

Mission Statement

The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria is a non-profit society that:

Encourages sensitivity, appreciation and respect for individuals of all cultures in our changing community

Assists newcomers to settle in the Greater Victoria area and facilitates their inclusion and full participation in the community

Advocates for the human rights of people of all cultures

Animates cultural awareness by promoting public multicultural events within Greater Victoria

Funding

• The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, British Columbia Anti-racism and Multiculturalism Program, Embrace BC
• The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, British Columbia Settlement and Adaptation Program
• The Department of Canadian Heritage
• The City of Victoria
• The BC Gaming Commission (Playtime Bingo)
• The United Way of Greater Victoria
• Fees for some services, like English classes, interpretation and translation, and workshops
• Sponsorships from corporations and businesses
• Foundations
• Raffles
• Donations from individuals who support our work

History

The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria was founded in 1971 to mount the inaugural FolkFest. Several ethnic groups came together to share their cultural heritage with the community at large. Approached by Immigration Canada to aid refugees, ICA adopted a mandate to promote cultural understanding and alleviate racism, developing a broad range of services to immigrants including citizenship and ESL classes, counseling, orientation, workshops and a host family program. Today, ICA advocates for the human rights of people from all ethnocultural backgrounds and maintains Luminara as one of its most visible means to promote cultural awareness.