Linda's passion for children and teaching sparked her vision 35 years ago to create a hub of educational and arts-related services for families. As the President and Founder of The Arts Connection, she manages "The Arts Conservatory" and "Renaissance Academy of Learning" and oversees a staff of over 140 teachers as they work with over 800 students weekly in a 26,000 sq ft facility. She is also the owner and publisher of the "Kelly Kirby Introductory Piano Program" and continues to teach piano from her very popular studio.

For 14 years, Linda served on the City of Richmond's Childcare Development Advisory Committee, serving as Chair for 12 of those years. She has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years including being the only 3-time recipient of the Ethel Tibbits Women in Business Awards, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce "Award of Excellence", and in 2014 she was presented with the City of Richmond's Arts Education Award. In 2019 she was awarded the Richmond Chamber of Commerce "Business Leadership Award". In May 2025, Linda was presented with the City of Richmond's "Arts Award for Volunteerism" and with the National Coalition of Childcare Operators' "Community Impact Award".

In 2011 Linda kicked off the Vancouver Sun's "Adopt a School" program by developing "Reach to Teach, Immersed in the Arts". This program brings underserved youth from the downtown eastside and other lower mainland schools to her facility, where, coupled with local Richmond youth, students are able to see how, despite socio-economic differences, they can find a commonality in the arts. Through a special partnership of private business with a non-profit (CACR), this ongoing, highly successful program shows how private business and non-profits can work together to make a better community.

Linda has served on the Board of the CACR in a variety of roles for over 30 years. She currently serves as Vice-President and enjoys working alongside our small group of dedicated board members to make an impact on the Richmond community.

Linda Shirley