NDP MLAs say grants will support local artistic talent in Nanaimo and North Cowichan

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NANAIMO – New Democrat MLAs Doug Routley and Sheila Malcolmson say that people in Nanaimo and North Cowichan will continue to enjoy a diverse and inclusive local arts scene as BC Arts Council grants are awarded to individual artists and arts organizations in the community.

“Arts add soul to communities across B.C., including ours,” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “We’re supporting an inclusive and equitable local arts scene through these scholarships and grants.”

In Nanaimo and North Cowichan, the following individuals are receiving BC Arts Council grants this year:

  • Charless Hartnell, $6,000
  • Shae Jones, $6,000
  • Zara Paredis, $6,000
  • Nadia Sertic, $6,000
  • Shaemus Swets $6,000

“Artists enrich our community and our province,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “That’s why we’re giving five outstanding Nanaimo-area artists scholarships, to support them creating and sharing their art.”

The BC Arts Council is working to build a more diverse and equitable funding structure to support the arts and culture community. Priority was given to equity-deserving organizations and artists as well as to communities outside of the capital region and Greater Vancouver.

This funding includes scholarships, project assistance for performing artists and professional organizations, and arts-based community development. This year, more than 250 individual artists and arts organizations throughout B.C. are benefitting from over $2.7 million in BC Arts Council grant funding.

Learn More:  https://news.gov.bc.ca/27969