How we handle photos, names, and other identifying information.
These policies are subject to ongoing review by the board. If you need to update consent today, email vpafestival@gmail.com.
Effective date: April 27, 2026.
The Vernon Performing Arts Festival (VPAF) celebrates the achievements of its participants. To share these moments with the community, promote the festival, and create a historical archive, we have the following policies regarding photography, video, and audio recording.
Local and national media representatives, including those from social media, radio, television, newspapers, and magazines, may be invited to attend the Vernon Performing Arts Festival. Media personnel may record comments, take photographs, and videotape or live stream performances or interviews for use in news programs, documentaries, and feature segments.
VPAF staff or contracted personnel (including festival photographers) may also take photographs, videotape, or live stream festival performances for archival, promotional, or educational purposes related to VPAF activities.
By registering for the festival, participants (or their parent or guardian, if under 19) grant royalty-free permission to VPAF to make such recordings and to authorize related media coverage, unless VPAF is notified in writing in advance that consent is withheld.
All personal information, including images and recordings, is managed in accordance with the British Columbia Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
VPAF cannot control or be held responsible for how external media outlets use content they record independently during public events.
How to withhold consent
If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please notify VPAF in writing at vpafestival@gmail.com before the festival begins. We will note your preference and share it with our photographers and media partners. We will also make reasonable efforts to ensure your performance is not included in promotional or archival materials going forward.
How we display names of minors
For performers under 16, the default public display on our website is "first name, last initial." Parents may opt up to a full-name display at registration. Performers 16 and older may consent to full-name display themselves.
Restriction on photography during classes
Individuals attending the festival are not permitted to photograph, video record, or otherwise capture any performers, performances, or adjudications while a class is in session. This restriction helps ensure the privacy, comfort, and concentration of all participants.
Guests are welcome to take photographs of their own performer before or after a class.
Photo and video providers
VPAF works with several professional photographers to document the festival, including Amie Roussel Photography, Lianne Viau Photography, and Ruby Blu Photographic Arts.
Adjudicator comments
Adjudicator comments are not published publicly without explicit student and parent consent.
Withdrawing consent
You may withdraw consent at any time by emailing vpafestival@gmail.com. Withdrawing consent applies to future use of your image, recording, or name. We cannot retroactively recall material that has already been published or distributed.
Contact
For questions about this policy, email vpafestival@gmail.com.