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Gordon Hilker fonds
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- Textual record
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Fonds
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Date(s)
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1941-1980 (Creation)
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1.3 m of textual records
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Name of creator
Biographical history
John Gordon Hilker was born in Vancouver on September 19th, 1913 to Harry and Lizzie Hilker. His father owned and operated A. Hilker and Son, a dry goods store, and his mother was a music teacher. Gordon studied piano for over a decade and in 1934 he graduated with a Bachelor of Communications Studies Degree from the University of British Columbia. On February 8th, 1940, he married Betty (Elizabeth Anne Petch) a theater cashier. They had two children Michael and Judy.
Hilker was well known for bringing celebrated talent to Vancouver, most notably Martha Graham and her dancers in 1936. Shortly after, he incorporated Hilker Attractions, which presented leading artists in Vancouver and, in the later 1940's, throughout Western Canada. It continued to operate until 1950, when Hugh Pickett took over the company and re-named it Famous Artists Limited.
He negotiated with the Vancouver Parks Board for the use of Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park for a special paid-admission summer concert in 1938, paving the way for Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS). In 1940, Hilker's advice was enlisted and he subsequently produced its shows and tours until 1949.
In the 1950's, he was occupied mainly as an organizer of centennial celebrations for Kitchener-Waterloo and St. Thomas, Ontario. He then worked for the Vancouver International Festival as publicity director in 1957, and as general manager from 1958 to 1964 and again in 1968. He was also artistic director from 1964 to 1967 of the World Festival at Expo 67. He left Canada to serve as creative director of the School of Performing and Visual Arts at United States International University (USIU) in San Diego from 1968 to 1972, and continued to be associated with the school after that.
Beginning in the late 1960's, Hilker began preparations for the 1975-76 bicentennial production of “The People of 1776" for the U.S. Department of Interior and National Parks Service. The program featuring performers and craftsmen re-creating life during the Revolutionary War toured the country.
Hilker also served as an entertainment consultant for Expo 74 in Spokane, Washington; Expo 82 in Knoxville, Tennessee; and Expo 86 in Vancouver. His role included coordinating and recruiting for the expositions such talents as Sir Laurence Olivier and the Bolshoi Ballet.
During his tenure as creative director at USIU, Hilker oversaw the move of the School of Performing Arts from downtown San Diego to Scripps Ranch and brought student performances to the Theatre in Old Town and the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
Hilker retired to North Vancouver and died in 1991 at 78 years of age.
Custodial history
Scope and content
Fonds illustrates Gordon Hilker's life following his time with Vancouver's Theatre Under the Stars. His records are arranged into two series and include: correspondence, reports, programs, newsletters, and clippings.