NDP MLAs say strengthened recovery funding will help support local artists and organizations in Burnaby

 BURNABY – New Democrat MLAs Janet Routledge, Raj Chouhan, Katrina Chen, and Anne Kang say strengthened support from the BC New Democrat government will help local artists and art organizations in Burnaby recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

“Local arts and culture organizations bring so much vibrancy to our communities,” says Janet Routledge, MLA for Burnaby North. “As these organizations begin to rebuild after a challenging two years, I know that people across the province will be ready to greet them.”

Seven artists and organizations in Burnaby will be benefitting from this recovery funding, including:

  • DOC BC, $10,000
  • Moving Images Distribution, $30,000
  • OURO Collective, $30,000
  • Canadian Women and Art Society, $30,000
  • Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, $60,000
  • Burnaby Arts Council, $15,000
  • Burnaby Arts Gallery, $30,000

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.

QUOTES                                  

Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds:

“The pandemic has reminded us of how important it is for people to stay connected to their communities. When we invest in the arts and culture sector, we are supporting organizations in delivering events and experiences that bring people together.”

Katrina Chen, MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed:

“The arts and culture sector was hit hard by the pandemic and I am so proud of their resiliency through these challenging times. Organizations like the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre will be able to use this funding to recover and come back stronger, and I look forward to visiting them soon.”

Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake:

“As we stayed close to home throughout the pandemic, I know many people stepped up to support their local theatres, museums, and art studios. As we begin to explore communities near and far, our government is supporting art and culture organizations across the province in delivering exciting opportunities that will welcome all visitors.”

Learn More: 

To learn more about these grants and see the provincewide list of recipients, visit: news.gov.bc.ca/26517