BURNABY – New Democrat MLAs Raj Chouhan, Anne Kang, Katrina Chen and Janet Routledge say more people in Burnaby will benefit from improved arts spaces and facilities thanks to the BC New Democrat government’s continued support of artists throughout B.C.
“Places like Nikkei National Museum are what make Burnaby such a wonderful community to live in,” says Raj Chouhan, MLA Burnaby-Edmonds. “As people come from near and far, supporting local arts and culture organizations is one of the ways we can strengthen communities across B.C.”
Nikkei National Museum in Burnaby will be benefitting from this Arts Infrastructure funding, receiving $25,000.
“Arts and culture organizations have provided strength to so many people through these challenging times,” says Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake. “I’m pleased our government is supporting these organizations, whose work makes our communities such vibrant places to live.”
Through the Arts Infrastructure Program a total of 84 arts and cultural organizations will share in $4 million in grant funding. The program provides grants to arts and cultural organizations to develop and enhance spaces that support B.C.’s arts and cultural practitioners. Eligible activities include planning and consultation and capital improvements, such as improving safety features; increasing accessibility; or purchasing specialized equipment.
In April, the BC Arts Council introduced its Extending Foundations: Action Plan 2022-2024 which marked a shift in focus in the way the council provides funding to respond to calls to action for reconciliation, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
In alignment with these commitments, 50 per cent of grants in this recent round of Arts infrastructure funding was distributed to organizations from rural or remote communities or those led by or rooted in Indigenous and equity-deserving communities.
QUOTES:
“Arts and culture organizations are pillars of communities,” says Janet Routledge, MLA for Burnaby North. “I know we are all looking forward to visiting them in the coming months, and the Arts Infrastructure Program will support these organizations in continuing their work.”
“From using this funding to upgrade spaces or to address safety features and increase accessibility, the Arts Infrastructure Program is designed to help arts and culture organizations thrive,” says Katrina Chen, MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed. “This funding is just one of steps our government is taking to build back this sector stronger than ever.”
Learn More:
To learn more about these grants and see the list of recipients, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/26762