The Arts: New Opportunities For Arts Funding

By January 15, 2013Arts

Submitted. The B.C. government is investing $1.5 million in two new arts programs to help cultural organizations continue to provide quality arts experiences in communities throughout British Columbia, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett said today.

Funding for BC Creative Spaces and BC Creative Communities comes from

the 2010 Sport and Arts Legacy, created by the B.C. government to

carry on the spirit of community celebration that played such a major

role in the cultural success of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and

Paralympic Winter Games.

<blockquote>”In communities large and small, urban and rural, throughout British

Columbia, local arts and cultural organizations do an amazing job

year after year providing quality arts experiences for local

families, residents and visitors. These organizations, as varied as

the B.C. communities they serve so well, establish vibrant centres

for the arts in local theatres and art galleries – as well as

creating great arts programs and organizing wonderful festivals.” – Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett
</blockquote>

Eligible applicants include B.C. non-profit arts and/or cultural

organizations, First Nations band councils or friendship centres. The

application deadline is Feb. 15, 2013. The British Columbia Ministry

of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, with help from other

public agencies, will assess applications and recommend funding.

<strong>For more information, visit: </strong>

<a href=”http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/arts_culture/index.htm”><strong>http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/arts_culture/index.htm</strong></a>

or email: <a href=”mailto:BCCreativeSpaces@gov.bc.ca”><strong>BCCreativeSpaces@gov.bc.ca</strong></a> and

<a href=”mailto:BCCreativeCommunities@gov.bc.ca”><strong>BCCreativeCommunities@gov.bc.ca</strong></a>

<strong>BC Creative Spaces: </strong>

* Total program funding: up to $1 million.

* Individual grants: up to $50,000.

* Supports construction and specialized equipment purchases.

* Addresses a demonstrated need for capital development or

acquisition.

* Engages underserved groups, including rural and remote communities.

* Involves partnerships and/or collaboration.

* Includes environmentally sensitive practices.

* Requires projects to secure other sources of support.

* Examples: Renovating and upgrading a community theatre with new

lighting; installing a wheelchair lift at an arts centre.

BC Creative Communities:

* Total program funding: up to $500,000.

* Individual grants: up to $25,000.

* Implements new or expands existing community arts engagement

projects and programs.

* Engages underserved groups, including rural and remote communities.

* Develops community partnerships and/or collaborations.

* Requires projects to secure other sources of support.

* Examples: Organizing a community event that engages an artist to

celebrate a milestone anniversary; creating a map of all cultural

resources in a community.

<strong>Quick Facts: </strong>

* Again this year, the B.C. government is providing over $53 million

in stable funding for arts and culture organizations, as well as

individual artists, in communities throughout British Columbia.

* The B.C. government established the $60-million 2010 Sport and Arts

Legacy to help celebrate the pride and spirit shown by British

Columbians during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter

Games – and the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad.

* 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.

<strong>Learn More: </strong>

* Check out the provincial government’s role in supporting sport,

arts and culture through the Ministry of Community, Sport and

Cultural Development at: <a href=”http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd”><strong>http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd</strong></a>