Stephen Oshea

Background

About Stephen Oshea

Stephen is an arts administrator and educator with a strong track record of community-relevant program coordination. He has devoted his twenty-year career to creating culturally enriching experiences, communities, and infrastructure. Having worked in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, Stephen is skilled at connecting the broader community with vibrant arts scenes. He is an engaging and versatile community builder who creates strong linkages between a diverse range of artistic disciplines and arts audiences. Stephen served as the Executive Director of the Arts Council of New Westminster from March 2015 to June 2022. In August 2022, he became the Program Coordinator at the New Media Gallery in New Westminster. Before working with the Arts Council, Stephen was the program director with the Devon Clifford Music Foundation (2012-2014) and the Artistic Director of the Jam in Jubilee summer concert series in Abbotsford (2011-2014). He has also served as the Chair of the City of New Westminster's Public Art Advisory Committee, Secretary on the Board of Directors of Tourism New Westminster, and a member of the City of New Westminster's Arts Commission. In 2018, Stephen was recognized as "Citizen of the Year" by the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce at the Platinum Awards. In addition to his work as an arts administrator, Stephen is an award-winning minimal sound artist and songwriter. As a co-founder of the new-wave band You Say Party (formerly You Say Party! We Say Die!), he has toured across three continents, playing hundreds of shows in dive bars, all-ages spaces, and music festivals. He is now focusing on exploring new avenues of songwriting closer to home. In 2019, Stephen released EXPANSE, an audio-visual composition created with Montreal-based artist Daniel Ross. The work was nominated for two categories (Electronic, Experimental) at the 2019 Fraser Valley Music Awards and won in the Electronic category. His newest endeavour is a 120-minute time-based project entitled DECADE, which releases one minute of music per month for ten years. Stephen continues to develop new songs, collaborate on public art film projects, and play bass in The Sylvia Platters.