BC Arts Council
Last-minute funding reprieve for B.C. publishers
Following a barrage of criticism in response to recent cuts to the arts, the B.C. government has restored partial funding to the B.C. Arts Council, the provincial body that disperses monies to cultural organizations. The announcement comes as a welcome surprise to B.C. publishers, many of which expected to see their provincial funding cut by [...]
BC Arts Council receives additional funding
The British Columbia Arts Council will administer $7 million in funding provided through the B.C. government’s 2010 Sports and Arts Legacy to support their strategic plan, Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts announced. “I am confident in the council’s strategic plan to deliver on the Legacy’s goals through its work with B.C.’s [...]
B.C. arts community “galvanized” over funding cuts
Jane Danzo’s resignation last week from her position as chair of the B.C. Arts Council and her ensuing criticism of provincial cuts to the arts have prompted a wave of other individuals and groups to go public with their calls for reform. “We need champions and advocates in our community,” said Kevin McKeown, spokesperson for [...]
Cultural consumer: Arts funding debate flares up
Thanks to the resignation of Jane Danzo, cuts to arts and culture funding in B.C. is once again back in the news. Danzo was the chairwoman of the B.C. Arts Council, a supposedly arms-length organization that doled out money to arts groups without political interference. Her resignation called into question that immunity and prompted a [...]
Tom Durrie asks Assembly of B.C. Arts Councils to refuse to disperse spirit festival funding
Former B.C. Arts Council member Tom Durrie has written an open letter to the president of the Assembly of B.C. Arts Councils. Durrie wants Joan Richoz to refuse to disperse funds for B.C. spirit festivals to be held in the month of February. To read the letter: http://www.straight.com/article-339897/vancouver/tom-durrie-asks-assembly-bc-arts-councils-oppose-kevin-kruegers-spirit-festivals
Cranbrook: Arts Council funding cuts hurting local artists
A massive 50 per cent cut in BC Arts Council funding and the channelling of Arts Council funding into a special legacy fund to promote the spirit of the Winter Olympic Games is being criticized around the province and in Cranbrook. But the Liberal government is also defending the cuts, saying it has poured half [...]
Former B.C. Arts Council chair Jane Danzo did the premier a favour by quitting in August
It’s easy to understand why Jane Danzo quit her position as chair of the B.C. Arts Council. This year, the B.C. Liberal government seriously slashed funding to the arms-length council, leaving Danzo hanging. In the last budget, Finance Minister Colin Hansen also announced $30 million in new arts-legacy funding over three years. “Even after the announcement, the [...]
A better role needed for B.C. arts council
The B.C. Arts Council’s 15 members are supposed to provide support for arts and culture, representing all the regions, cultural diversity and artistic communities The council’s role includes reviewing and approving funding awards — a job that has not been pleasant for the past few years as the provincial government has been trying to squeeze [...]
B.C. arts cuts called ‘strategic error’
The board of governors of the Canadian Conference of the Arts says British Columbia is making a “strategic error” in cutting spending in the arts sector. Kathleen Sharpe, the president of the national arts organization, has written to B.C. Culture Minister Kevin Krueger on behalf of the CCA expressing concern over the cuts and over [...]
Province offers explanation for arts funding cuts
The sudden resignation of B.C. Arts Council chair –Jane Danzo– has Finance Minister Colin Hansen defending his government’s elimination of numerous grants. The money was cut back so more funding could be dedicated to keeping the 2010 Olympic spirit alive. “Spirit week has actually been going on for many years in B.C.,” Hansen said. “It [...]
Canadian Conference for the Arts president rips into B.C. arts cuts and praises Jane Danzo
The president of a national arts-advocacy group has written to Premier Gordon Campbell to express “deep concerns about the devastating cuts of provincial support to the arts and culture communities of British Columbia, as well as about the resignation of the widely respected BC Arts Council Chair, Ms. Jane Danzo”. In the letter dated August [...]
Who needs a BC arts council when we have the Liberals?
Jane Danzo, in her letter of resignation as Chair of the BC Arts Council and in various exit interviews that followed, has confirmed what most of us already suspected: that the Liberal government now sees itself as arbiter of all things cultural in the province. At last, we can begin to see the future. In her [...]
Former B.C. Arts Council chair Jane Danzo speaks out
The former chair of the B.C. Arts Council has slammed the government for provincial cuts that are hobbling arts groups. She is also speaking out about the Liberals’ lack of support for the council. Jane Danzo, who left her post on August 11, told the Straight she resigned the position she held for a year to [...]
Interim Chair of BC Arts Council named
Dr. Stanley Hamilton has been named interim chair of the BC Arts Council. Hamilton’s appointment follows the resignation of former chair Jane Danzo, announced Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. “I would like to thank Jane for her contributions to the council,” said Krueger. “Her dedication and professionalism and years of service [...]
BC Arts Council: Chair’s Communique August 2010
Dear BCAC Grants Recipient: While the BC Arts Council Board is grateful that Government has seen the value of continuing to support the arts in its recent appropriation, especially in these challenging economic times, we recognize the hardship both individuals and organizations face due to the reduction to our budget. There is no question this [...]
