SUNSHINE COAST – New Democrat MLA Nicholas Simons says strengthened support from the BC NDP government will help local artists and art organizations on the Sunshine Coast recover from the impacts of the pandemic. 

“One of the most attractive things about the Sunshine Coast is our arts and culture scene which is so entrenched in our communities,” said MLA Simons. “We have amazing artists and renowned arts organizations up and down the Coast, and now that we’re having in-person events it’s going to be fun to get out to enjoy the shows and festivals that people have worked so hard to put together.”

12 artists and organizations on the Sunshine Coast will be benefitting from this recovery funding, including the Sunshine Coast Art Council, qathet Art Council, multiple book publishers, and multiple festivals and galleries. 

This funding to local artists and organizations comes from more than $12.4 million in one-time funding to the BC Arts Council. The BC Arts Council will distribute $7.9 million in resilience supplements to over 300 organizations currently receiving operating assistance.  These grants recognize the impact the pandemic has had on sector organizations. Grants will range from $15,000 to $60,000. Additionally, BC Arts Council will direct $4.5 million to top up the Arts Impact Grant program.  Arts Impact Grants enables applicants to prioritize what activity or activities will provide the greatest and most meaningful impact to their organization, practice and/or community. 

This grant program signals a new focus on flexibility, equity, inclusion and diversity in how the BC Arts Council supports arts and culture organizations. Funding is available to organizations and collectives with an arts and culture mandate and/or offering dedicated arts and culture programming, including non-profit organizations and Indigenous governments and community organizations. 

Learn More:  

To learn more about these grants and see the list of recipients, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022TACS0010-000473