Remembering Norman Armour

November 21, 2023

The staff and board at PuSh are devastated at the news that PuSh co-founder and longest-serving Artistic and Executive Director Norman Armour passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Norman was a central presence in our community, and we will miss him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all those who were fortunate enough to call him a friend. 

Norman co-founded PuSh with Katrina Dunn in 2005, displaying an incredible vision for Vancouver’s cultural landscape. Recognizing the need for a festival that would bridge international communities of cutting-edge creators and introduce Vancouverites to the most innovative and boundary-pushing art from around the world, Norman set the stage for what would become a transformative force in the arts in Vancouver.

Under his leadership, PuSh evolved from a modest start-up into an indispensable cultural institution on Vancouver’s calendar. Norman’s dedication and passion for connecting audiences to artists, fostering global-local collaborations, and pushing the boundaries of creative expression have left an indelible mark on our city’s cultural scene. His commitment to providing a platform for contemporary performance, cultivating partnerships, and maintaining cultural relevance was unparalleled. 

While PuSh may be the most visible legacy Norman left on the arts community in Vancouver, Canada and the World, he had so many more impacts on us all. He did so with grace and was notoriously gregarious, generous with his time and a fierce advocate for the arts. He was a mentor, a cultural connector and a trailblazer. 

We at PuSh are deeply grateful to Norman and all of the founders for the vision that created the Festival. For thirteen years, Norman and the team presented a cultural event that was a force in the city’s creative landscape. Norman continued to offer support to our staff over the past years with his characteristic passion and graciousness. We are honoured to be carrying the legacy of the Festival forward and we know we will be joined in our grief by the many people Norman touched around the world. 

If you want to hear more about Norman, a shared Google Doc is being used to collect thoughts and memories of him.

Those who knew Norman are invited to add their own memories, and add wishes for his family.