A Message from Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
I have tremendous respect for British Columbia's arts and culture community—both for the beauty and significance of what it creates, and for the important economic generator that it represents.
Our creative industries, which include everything from television and film production to music and fine arts, generate $5.2 billion each year and employs 78,000 British Columbians.
In my hometown of Kamloops we have a vital and flourishing arts community. With support, in part, from the BC Arts Council, Kamloops is home to numerous galleries, arts festivals, music and theatre groups, and a thriving arts council (one of roughly 100 community arts councils across the province).
The BC Arts Council is at the heart of the province’s cultural and artistic renaissance. By providing financial support to artists and arts groups and strategic direction to government, celebrating B.C.’s distinctive artistic and cultural achievements, the Council helps enrich the lives of British Columbians and spreads the message that B.C. really is The Best Place on Earth.
Arts and culture play a key role in making B.C. such an attractive place to live, work and visit. Having a strong and vibrant arts sector greatly enhances our province’s ability to attract business, industry and tourism.