Abbotsford arts groups attract strategic investments to encourage business partnerships.
Submitted. Four Abbotsford arts, culture and heritage groups have attracted $23,500 in matching incentive funding that could leverage as much as five times that amount in business partnerships.
The program, supported by a range of private and public sector funders, including the Government of British Columbia, has proved very successful in communities in various regions across B.C. artsVest has already helped almost 150 small to mid-sized B.C. arts groups acquire skills and make alliances that will help them continue to make their communities great places to live, work, visit and build a future. In 2013/14, artsVest BC communities raised from three to six times their matching grants, from local businesses.
“As an important part of healthy communities, arts and culture organizations need strong community support to remain sustainable,” said Michael de Jong, Abbotsford West MLA. “The artsVest program helps cultural groups build positive relationships with local businesses to increase funding and build sustainability for the future. Congratulations to all participants.”
The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford appreciates working collaboratively with artsVest BC to develop vibrant and relevant programming for the communities of the Fraser Valley,” said Ingrid Epp, Director of Development, the Reach Gallery Museum. “The support of artVest BC has been integral to The Reach’s success in transforming relationship building with local businesses into firm win-win partnerships.”
“Cultural organizations need to be successful financially as well as artistically,” said Darryl Plecas, Abbotsford South MLA. “The artsVest program is helping arts groups in the Abbotsford area strengthen their fundraising and building positive relations with the local business community.”
“Business leaders have welcomed the opportunity to strategically leverage their community investment for a higher net gain in benefit of the entire community,” continued Ms Epp. “ The Reach looks forward to working with artsVest BC in the future because creative, thinking and diverse communities are strong communities.”
“The artsVest program is helping cultural organizations and arts groups in the community build positive relationships with local businesses,” said Simon Gibson, Abbotsford-Mission MLA. “The artsVest program is resulting in a more sustainable arts and culture sector.”
This year a total of 63 organizations located in Prince George, the Cariboo Chilcotin, Thompson/ North Okanagan, Kelowna, the Fraser Valley and Nanaimo have qualified to participate in the artsVest BC program. Abbotsford groups participating in 2014/15 are:
- Abbotsford Arts Council
- Abbotsford Children’s Theatre Society
- Abbotsford Cultural Centre operating as The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford
- Gallery 7 Theatre and Performing Arts Society
artsVest™ was developed by Business for the Arts and expanded across Canada in 2011. It is currently also operating in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Toronto.
About Business for the Arts
Founded in 1974, Business for the Arts is Canada’s only national charitable organization of business members who support the arts. Our vision is to inspire Canada’s business community to partner with the arts to ensure a thriving cultural sector. We connect, educate and invest to bridge the gap between business and the arts.
For more national information, visit www.businessforthearts.org
For more BC information please contact:
Kathleen Speakman
Program Manager
250 927 4360
www.artsvest.com