VICTORIA – Local MLAs Carole James, Rob Fleming, Mitzi Dean, and Lana Popham are welcoming $154,400 through the province’s BC Arts Council Grant Program which will support arts and culture organizations in Greater Victoria.
From Greater Victoria, 24 organizations and individual artists are receiving grants in the latest round of funding. These investments will support community festivals, visual artists, and youth engagement programs in the region. A link to the full list of grant recipients is included below.
The BC Arts Council is the provincial government’s lead agency for arts funding and development. Budget 2019 increased the BC Arts Council funding by an additional $15 million over three years, bringing the annual budget to $34 million. The new funding is in addition to the $15 million increase over three years in Budget 2018, and a component of the new funding is to make the arts more accessible to everyone.
The New Democrat government is committed to enhancing opportunities for British Columbians to succeed in their creative careers, and to increasing equity and access so that all people in British Columbia can participate in the arts and celebrate culture.
Quotes:
“Our increased investment in the BC Arts Council will make a huge difference in supporting local artists and making arts and culture more accessible for everyone.” – Carole James, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill
“Victoria is home to a vibrant and diverse arts and culture scene. This funding will provide a boost to our local artists, writers, and creators so that they can continue to inspire, educate and engage us all.” – Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake
“The organizations receiving funding today contribute not only to a thriving arts scene, but to the strength and vibrancy of our communities overall. Congratulations to all the recipients, and thank you for all the work you do.” – Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin
“Artists breathe life into our community and play an important role in our local economy. That’s why it gives me great pleasure to welcome this funding to support our local creators.” – Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South
Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019TAC0032-000798