The BC Arts Council (BCAC) last week announced that $1.86 million in grants was being forwarded to 116 artists and arts organizations around the province, in the latest round of grant adjudications.

The bulk of the funds are going to the Lower Mainland, with the Columbia Valley Arts Council the only regional organization set to receive funds – $2,093 for ‘capacity and sustainability – performing arts.’

The funding is being provided for arts-based community development initiatives as well as professional development, innovation, touring initiatives, capacity and sustainability in the performing arts and studio arts fields.

These most recent awards are a result of applications examined by the BC Arts Council’s independent peer-review process between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31.

The funding is part of the $24 million provided to the BC Arts Council by the Government of British Columbia to support the province’s arts and culture sector in 2014-15.

“The Government of British Columbia recognizes the important contribution the arts sector makes to both our economy and to vibrant, healthy communities,” said Coralee Oakes, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister.

“The BC Arts Council is able to support our outstanding artistic talent, thanks to funding from the Government of British Columbia and the invaluable contributions made by dedicated participants of the independent peer-review process,” stated BC Arts Council chair Stan Hamilton.

The recently-approved grants were awarded to individual artists in addition to community and professional arts organizations in 25 B.C. communities from Atlin and Skidegate to Vancouver and Vernon.

For a full list of recent recipients.

Established in 1995, the BC Arts Council consults with the arts and culture community to develop policies, programs and strategic priorities for the sector.

Last year, the council approved in excess of 1,000 grants in more than 200 communities in every region of the province.

Funding recipients represent British Columbia’s amazing diversity of artists and cultural organizations in urban and rural communities.

Since 2001, the Government of British Columbia has invested almost $234 million through the BC Arts Council to support B.C.’s artists, arts and cultural organizations – including an all-time high of $24 million during each of the past two fiscal years.

Since 2001, the Government of British Columbia has provided more than half a billion dollars for arts and culture in B.C., more than any other government in the province’s history, according to a Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development press release.

Lead image: Columbia Valley Arts Council’s home, Pynelogs Cultural Centre in Invermere.

e-KNOW

Article Share