News Release
NEW ARTS FUNDING TO SUPPORT INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY
VICTORIA – The BC Arts Council board has approved a number of programs supporting innovation, commissioning, capacity building, sustainability and mentorship following the allocation of $7 million in additional funding, board chair Dr. Stanley Hamilton announced today.
“The council is responding in a prudent but prompt manner to ensure that these additional funds get into the hands of artists and arts organizations,” Hamilton said. “Collectively, the board wants to ensure that the additional funding will be used to support the varied needs of our clients as set out in our strategic plan.”
The council board held a special meeting Friday, September 3, 2010 to review plans for allocating an additional $7 million in provincial funding, which increased the council’s budget to just over $16 million for the current fiscal year. This additional funding has come from the 2010 Sports and Arts Legacy, a program designed, in part, to enhance opportunities in the arts for all British Columbians.
Council staff are finalizing guidelines and application forms for a number of programs made possible with this additional funding. The programs include:
- An Innovation & Commissioning program that provides support for the commissioning, creation, development and production of new works. The application deadline is January 17, 2011.
- A Capacity and Sustainability program, built on the successful pilot program offered last year. Deadline for applying to this program is December 17, 2010.
- A program providing organizations with support so that they can hire co-op students for professional work experience, with a deadline of November 1, 2010. The program is focusing on co-op placements this year, but will expand its scope in the coming years.
As well, a portion of the funding will go to support the existing Artists in Education program and provide additional support to council operating clients, including those clients who were adjudicated last spring. The council is also finalizing details for other programs for this year and details will be announced as soon as possible.
“These have been difficult times for B.C.’s arts community, and I know that this additional funding is appreciated,” Hamilton said. “The council board continues to work hard on behalf of all our clients and advocate directly to government to ensure that the voice of the arts community is heard.”
The BC Arts Council is an independent agency that supports a range of activities including funding for professional artists and arts organizations, community initiatives and public education. Its funding decisions reflect recommendations that come out of a peer-review process.
Guidelines and application forms for the new programs will be posted on the council’s website six weeks before the specific deadline.
Media inquiries, please contact Chris Gudgeon, Communications Manager, Chris.Gudgeon@gov.bc.ca or 250-356-8125.