The B.C. government is launching BC Creative Futures, a three-part strategy to support sustainable, long-term success for the province’s creative sector, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett said Jan. 31.

BC Creative Futures supports the provincial economy by helping to foster a creative workforce through more arts opportunities for young British Columbians, by building a comprehensive, sector-wide vision to support the development and growth of B.C.’s creative industries and by expanding capacity at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

Bennett, Kootenay East MLA, said the three-part strategy will foster ongoing stability and growth for the creative arts community in the province.

“In British Columbia, we often celebrate our good fortune in being blessed with a wealth of abundant natural resources. Today, our government is celebrating our most abundant, precious natural resource, the wealth of imagination and creativity of our citizens. We are blessed by internationally renowned artists and successful cultural organizations – as well as a range of dynamic creative industries, including strong digital media, television, film and video game production. This three-part strategy will provide a launching point for the continued growth and success of British Columbians and the creative economy they fuel,” he stated.

Part One: Arts Engagement for Creativity – BC Arts Council

By encouraging young British Columbians to think creatively through greater engagement with the arts, BC Creative Futures will nurture emerging creative leaders and help develop a future workforce of collaborative, innovative thinkers. The BC Arts Council (BCAC), an independent agency supporting artists and cultural organizations throughout the province, and the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development (MCSCD) will deliver a $6.25-million package of new and expanded existing programs to support the strategy, including:

·         Creative Youth Initiatives – $2 million (BCAC)

·         After School Sport and Arts Initiative – $1 million (MCSCD)

·         Artists in Education Program – $1 million (BCAC)

·         Co-op Placement Program – $1 million (BCAC)

·         Scholarship Program – $750,000 (BCAC)

·         Artists in the Classroom Program – $500,000 (BCAC)

BCAC’s $5.25-million share of the funding, plus additional financing from MCSCD, will increase council’s support from the B.C. government from $16.8 million in 2012-13 to a record level of $24 million in 2013-14.

Part Two: Strategic Vision – Creative BC

Supported by the B.C. government, Creative BC will work with creative industries in the province to develop and implement a broad strategy capitalizing on the sector’s strengths and identifying new opportunities for the future. Creative BC will work with film and TV, digital media, music, publishing and other components of the creative economy.

MCSCD will provide $1 million to Creative BC for research, development and international marketing.

As an independent, non-profit society combining services previously available through separate agencies, Creative BC will engage government and the creative industries in a fresh partnership. Creative BC will begin operations in April 2013.

Part Three: Support for Expansion at Emily Carr University of Art + Design

The B.C. government’s recent announcement to help build a new visual, media and design facility at Emily Carr University of Art + Design’s Great Northern Way Campus also supports the BC Creative Futures strategy for a strong creative economy in British Columbia.

The BC Arts Council is pleased with the government’s support.

“Inspiration links art and creativity. The arts play a key role in inspiring and developing well-rounded people with capabilities and sensitivities essential for a future in the creative economy. The BC Arts Council is proud to play a strategic role in helping artists make their contributions to the creative communities of British Columbia,” stated BC Arts Council chair Stan Hamilton.

BC Producers’ Branch, Canadian Media Production Association chair Brian Hamilton added, “Creative BC will build on existing government and industry partnerships in the creative sector. The adoption of this cross-sectoral approach will encourage growth by creating a climate for business development and sustainability. We look forward to working closely with our industry partners to maximize the potential of B.C.’s creative economy.”

Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC chair Peter Leitch said, “We are pleased the B.C. government recognizes the importance of the creative industries in the province’s economic mix. Our 30 years of success in motion picture production is the cornerstone of a $4-billion creative economy that employs more than 85,000 people. We are poised for even greater success with a creative industries strategy moving us forward in the global economy.”

While BC Film + Media chair Michael Francis noted, “The creative industries need diversification of markets and new sources of investment. This is just as true in traditional publishing as computer animation. By centralizing the expertise in Creative BC, we are making ourselves more competitive. Step one is having good programs. Delivering those programs in a convenient cost-effective manner will drive continued industry growth.”

Marcus Youssef, Artistic Director of the Neworld Theatre and chair of the City of Vancouver Arts and Culture Policy Council, in a Jan. 31 letter to Bennett stated, “While I disagree with your government’s decision not to match jurisdictional tax credits for the film and TV sector, I hugely applaud your decision to begin to right the culture investment imbalance that exists between B.C. and our provincial colleagues in Ontario, Quebec, and virtually every other jurisdiction in Canada, and for using the BC Arts Council as the mechanism to do that. As you know, the BC Arts Council is an arm’s length agency and so is able to make investments without any perception of political interference.

Youssef said the funding will help. “And I promise you our community will make the most of the investment. It will leverage growth and help develop new revenue streams. More importantly, it will help artists, teacher and cultural workers make our own culture(s) more central to our day-to-day lives, through shows and events they see, and  – increasingly – programs they get to do. It is this investment I am most excited about.”

Quick facts

·  PricewaterhouseCoopers has forecasted global spending of $1.9 trillion in entertainment and media markets by 2015.

· British Columbia’s technology industry revenues grew from $12.1 billion to $18.9 billion between 2001 and 2009.

·  British Columbia is well positioned to develop creative talent through post-secondary programs at Capilano University, the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the BC Institute of Technology and Emily Carr University of Art + Design’s Centre for Digital Media.

·  Since 2001, the B.C. government has provided more than $2.6 billion in support for arts and culture in British Columbia, including the screen-based entertainment industry.

·         For more details about BC Creative Futures, visit: https://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/arts_culture/bccf.htm

·         For more information about the BC Arts Council, visit:  https://www.bcartscouncil.ca

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