The Mission Arts Council (MAC) has revived the photo mural project proposed for the Leisure Centre.

MAC executive director Nancy Arcand picked up the phone to offer help as soon as she heard early last week the donations were to be returned and the project cancelled.

MAC has held the funding in trust since April and now it is an arts council project. Arcand says she has the support of the mural committee, including project leader Eric LeBlanc.

“I didn’t feel it should disappear,” she said. “Let’s work through the proper channels. It’s something that needs to go through.”

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One such group of people is the New Westminster Arts Council board of directors. One role they perform is to secure funding for programs and operations. Funding cuts over the past years have created an environment of survival. To counteract some of the funding shortfalls, the arts council has renewed its efforts to engage the business community, increase membership and encourage patronage.

Despite the current economic uncertainty, the Sidney Fine Art Show was an outstanding success, financially and artistically. This success, in these times of reduced and unstable funding for the arts in BC, will ensure that local programs such as the arts council’s Art-in-the-Schools program can continue.

The arts council is particularly pleased to be able to team with the Saanich school district to fund writers, musicians, theatrical experts and visual artists to give programs to students in our schools, where funding for art education has been drastically reduced over the past few years.

The facility is used both by the school and other types of shows brought forward by various groups in the Columbia Valley.

The “Enhancing Performing Arts in the Columbia Valley Project” seeks to build capacity for performing arts, education and, sports and recreation in the Columbia Valley.

“I’m thrilled,” Kirsten Schrader, regional arts-and-culture manager, said of the ISC Commission’s ruling.

Its decision allowed the arts council a small meeting room, office, and mini teaser gallery.

“CVAC needs stability,” she stated.

Lack of grants and other funds forced the cash-strapped arts council to leave its storefront Station Street arts centre by Oct. 31.

Make local support for the arts an issue in B.C.’s 2011 civic election too.

Provincial NDP arts-and-culture critic, Spencer Chandra Herbert, gave that advice to Cowichan Valley Arts Council members Monday.

“Arts groups in B.C. don’t speak in a unified voice. B.C.’s last in Canada in per-capita funding for the arts,” he said. “We have to aim to do better.”

The program allows individuals and businesses to rent paintings, photography and mixed media works by local artists for an affordable price. Meanwhile, artists gain exposure and revenue — royalties are paid semi-annually.

New works will be considered for the program on a jury day, Sunday, Nov. 14. Selected pieces will be contracted for a minimum of one year.

This is quite a positive picture compared to the bleak circumstances the arts council found itself in June 2009, says treasurer Susan O’Sullivan, who was elected president at the society’s annual meeting Oct. 18.

President Harry Jennings, who was elected treasurer at the annual meeting, says the funds will be utilized to support arts council functions that might have traditionally been funded through gaming funds.

The annual meeting was held in the new Central Cariboo Arts Centre.

“It’s only an hour,” Brayden said of the Oct. 25 meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. sharp.

Before the last election, the B.C. Liberals promised charities and non-profits that gaming grants were safe from cuts. This spring, however, deep cuts were made.

“This was a promise that was made at the outset of the gaming laws being passed here in B.C., that 33 per cent of the gaming revenue would go back to the community groups to help with the good work that they do at the community level,” Brayden said. “That money has been reduced to 10 per cent.”

Many are feeling the pinch.

The new centre, located in the old Williams Lake fire hall on Fourth Avenue was officially opened Tuesday evening with a ribbon cutting and tour of the facility.

Project partner representatives MLA Donna Barnett, Cariboo Regional District Chair Al Richmond, and City Councilor Laurie Walters, were among those on hand for the event.

But with a lineup of live music headlined by Helen Austin, a photo show by Sarah Kerr, and an exhibition by sculptor Pat Acton, this annual general meeting should prove more fun than most.

The group has been prominent in many community arts projects, including running the Muir Gallery on Anderton Avenue featuring local art exhibitions, the annual Local Colours festival of original-art banners on downtown streets, the Trash Art Challenge, studio tours, and the artfully painted Hydro boxes around town.

With the slashing of core arts funding by the provincial government and the BC Lottery Corporation, this is a critical meeting to come up with new ideas, says board president John Cronin.

Council voted 5-1 to accept a staff recommendation to accept the piano, valued at $14,000 for insurance purposes as $37,000 as a replacement value, housed in the Gibraltar Room for at least the past nine years, in lieu of an outstanding lease amount of $9,163.

“This is a win-win situation for our community,” councillor Laurie Walters said.

Councillor Tom Barr agreed.

“Not only are we trying to collect a debt, we’re helping out the arts council.”

Representing the Fort St. John Community Arts Council, Tara O’Donnell noted that the province is 13th in Canada when compared to the other provinces and territories pertaining to per capita arts funding at only $6.54 per person. The B.C. Arts Council recently had its budget slashed by $20 million and at this time has no access to provincial gaming funds. O’Donnell is calling for the budget to be restored to 2008 levels so they can continue to provide adequate services to the region.

This will be a 10 minute presentation held at 2:05pm on Monday, October 4 At the Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre.

This event is open to the public and we welcome community support!