Hundreds of arts organizations benefit from BC Arts Council support

Editor's Note -- the following groups in the Cariboo-Chilcotin have received funding from the BC Arts Council from January-July 2018:

100 Mile House -- 100 Mile/District Arts Council ($5,033)
Williams Lake -- Community Arts Council ($9,870)
Quesnel -- Community Arts Council ($9,943)
Wells -- Island Mountain Arts Society ($33,000) & Sunset Theatre Society ($17,500)

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Artists in communities around the province are getting support, thanks to BC Arts Council grants.

“B.C.’s arts community is part of a creative and sustainable economy that works for people. This funding means B.C.’s creators can help develop the arts in communities throughout the province,” said the Hon. Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “Investing in creative thinking and skills development through the arts is incredibly important to our province’s future. Congratulations to all of the BC Arts Council grant recipients.”

The BC Arts Council grants are part of the Province’s commitment to supporting B.C.’s arts sector.

Nearly $17 million in grants were awarded by the Province’s lead arts funding agency from January through July of 2018. Grant recipients were determined through the BC Arts Council’s independent peer-review process.

“We are pleased to provide these arts and cultural grants through the B.C. government’s investment in the BC Arts Council,” said Susan Jackson, BC Arts Council chair. “There is tremendous depth of artistic activity throughout British Columbia, and it is very gratifying to help artists and arts organizations thrive.”

BC Arts Council grant recipients represent a diverse group of artists and arts organizations from every region of the province. More than 700 grants have been approved so far this year, providing much-needed funding to local arts councils and artists, museums, orchestras, dance troupes and many other organizations. Arts and culture organizations bring a range of benefits to their communities, including fostering creativity, stimulating thought and artistic inspiration, as well as supporting education.

In Budget 2018, the Province increased its support of the BC Arts Council by $15 million over the next three years. This investment gives the BC Arts Council a total of $29 million in 2018-19, to help artists and cultural organizations flourish in more than 200 communities throughout the province.

Quick Facts:

B.C. has more working artists per capita than any other province.

The United Nations has identified the creative economy as one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors for income generation, job creation and export earnings.

Culture activities in B.C. contributed about $7.2 billion to the provincial gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016.

Learn More:

For a list of BC Arts Council grant recipients from January to July 2018, visit: http://www.bcartscouncil.ca/mediaroom/recipients.htm

For more information about the BC Arts Council and to apply for grants, visit: http://www.bcartscouncil.ca