arts funding cuts
Editorial: Spirit fests and arts cuts in B.C.
Arts groups in British Columbia, still trying to cope with government funding cuts over the past year, must be doubly frustrated to see that the government has plenty of money for a new, untested series of cultural events. These government-sponsored community festivals next February will be designed, the government says, to recapture the spirit of [...]
Skyscrapers and Streetscapes: Why Art Funding Murder Kills More Than Just the Artist
There are many ways to help the less fortunate. Clothing drives, canned food, a friendly smile, or just a simple conversation when there’s something to talk about. Personally, I don’t have much to give away — but I can hold a conversation, and I can write stories. I play to my strengths. Sharon Kallis is [...]
Olympic party stays alive with annual ‘spirit festivals’: B.C. government to fund local music, arts and theatre events in communities across the province in February
In a bid to keep the Olympic spirit flowing, the provincial government plans to fund arts-centric festivals, dubbed “spirit festivals,” throughout B.C. in February. Building on the success of the Cultural Olympiad, the festivals will showcase local music, art and theatre in individual communities across the province, said Kevin Krueger, minister of tourism, culture and [...]
Hilary Peach: B.C. government “hijacks” $10 million from cultural community
This originally appeared on the Poetry Gabriola blog. Way back when we learned that the BC Liberal government was planning to cut arts funding in B.C. by up to 92 percent (they settled for around 80 percent) all kinds of weird things were going on. Among them, Gaming was supposed to be administrating the B.C. [...]
Festivals will help arts groups get over cuts, minister says: Culture groups describe idea as a poor substitute
A series of government-sponsored community festivals to retap the spirit of the 2010 Olympics is a way for cultural organizations to get over recent cutbacks in their funding, according to Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Kevin Krueger. “We do think it’s important that these groups find new ways to build their sustainability. This is a new [...]
B.C. arts groups blast funding cuts: Questions raised over money to be spent on ‘Spirit Festivals’
Even as the provincial government slashed funding and grants to arts and cultural groups across B.C., there was still the promise of a $10-million fund earmarked in the spring budget for a new “2010 Sports and Arts Legacy Fund.” Now, it appears that a large chunk of the money will not go directly to the [...]
Bulk of $10-million arts legacy fund going to B.C. Spirit Festival Days, NDP MLA says
The bulk of the new $10-million arts legacy fund that B.C. Liberals promised in its March budget is earmarked for a new B.C. Spirit Festival Days, NDP MLA and culture critic Spencer Chandra Herbert says he has discovered. Chandra Herbert said Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Kevin Krueger made reference to the new event at the [...]
Final Exit show a reflection of the plight faced by Cowichan Valley Arts Council
Themes of life, death and dying — reflecting the arts council’s dire financial condition — are explored in the current Final Exit show downtown. About 20 artists of various media are displaying an array of pieces symbolizing the dilemma of reality and the potential of the hereafter in the Cowichan Valley Arts Council’s bold exhibit. [...]
Harrison:Festivals deserve support
We love the Harrison Festival of the Arts. Love, in the strongest sense of the word. All the arts and culture gathered in one small spot feeds our minds and souls, and kicks off the summer in grand style. It also is a major boost to the local economy, undoubtedly. But its funding is dwindling [...]
Arts minds meet at Arts Summit 2010 conference
The recent Arts Summit 2010 conference provided a forum for debate on a range of pressing issues, says Amir Ali Alibhai, executive director of the Alliance for Arts and Culture. “It’s a healthy gathering because we don’t have everyone just nodding their heads. We’re being challenged on some of our assumptions that we might have,” [...]
More Cuts in B.C. Arts Funding: Even minor cuts to provincial funding can be devastating to grassroots groups that are the lifeblood of arts in B.C
In October 2009, Vancouver’s Helen Pitt art gallery was forced to close its doors. After losing its $32,000 gaming grant from the provincial government – nearly 40 per cent of its estimated annual revenue of $87,000 – the 35-year-old artist-run gallery had to give up its Gastown space. “We were no longer able to pay [...]
Arts and culture community hears call to work together on government lobbying
Arts and culture groups must balance their individual needs with those of the entire sector to better lobby for B.C. government support, says the manager of a Vancouver drama company. “We need to act and speak together,” said Ivan Habel of Green Thumb Theatre. Habel called for a more co-ordinated approach to advocacy in an address [...]
Funding cuts force arts organizations to get creative about raising money
B.C. arts organizations are being forced to think creatively about how to raise money as they grapple with provincial government cuts to B.C. Arts Council and gambling grants. The Vancouver International Jazz Festival, which launched June 25, is bracing for a $100,000 drop in B.C. government funding resulting from a reduction to those grants. According to [...]
Courtenay: CVAG appeals for funding
The Comox Valley Art Gallery, in the midst of difficult financial times, has appealed to the Comox Valley Regional District for financial assistance. Despite gift shop revenue and fundraising efforts, the gallery is looking at a $50,000 shortfall this year, says CVAG president Roger Albert, who, along with curator Anh Le, spoke Tuesday at the [...]
Maple Ridge: 11 groups get arts council grants
Eleven arts organization got grants and four students received scholarships from the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council this year, despite deep cuts to its own funding. “It is vital for the health of the community in this region that the arts council continue to support our grassroots community arts organizations to the best of [...]
