The BC Arts Council is distributing more than $7 million to 313 artists and arts organizations, including seven regional and nearby groups, throughout the province as part of a recent round of grant adjudications.

This investment supports a thriving creative economy in British Columbia, with recipients representing 93 B.C. communities. The awards are the result of applications examined through the BC Arts Council’s independent peer-review process between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2015.

Regional groups getting funds are: Cranbrook & District Arts Council $11,068; Community Arts Council of Creston $6,925; Creston & District Historical & Museum Society $10,000; Elkford Arts Council Society $4,935; Fernie & District Arts Council $15,705; Fernie & District Historical Society $5,000; Golden District Arts Council $13,570; Kimberley Arts Council $14,104.

“People working in the creative sector are one of the drivers of the BC Jobs Plan and contribute to healthy and vibrant communities. Investing in artists and arts organizations throughout the province strengthens our creative economy and helps make British Columbia a great place to live, work and play. Congratulations to the award recipients, and thank you for your role in our province’s overall prosperity,” stated Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender.

“A healthy arts sector is made up of a rich spectrum of creative endeavour, and the artistic excellence demonstrated by the talented and diverse BC Arts Council recipients is most impressive. Thank you to the award juries for their conscientious adjudication, and congratulations to all the recipients,” added BC Arts Council chair Merla Beckerman.

See the full list of recent grant recipients.

Lead image: Fernie & District Arts Council’s The Arts Station.

e-KNOW

Article Share