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

NEW WESTMINSTER – New Democrat MLAs Jennifer Whiteside and Aman Singh say strengthened support from the BC New Democrat government will help local artists and art organizations in New Westminster recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

“Our government is committed to supporting the arts and culture sector as they rebuild from the challenges brought by the pandemic,” says Jennifer Whiteside, MLA for New Westminster. “This funding will support organizations like Savage Production Society here in New West in the important work they do.”

Four organizations in New Westminster will be benefitting from this recovery funding, including:

  • Arts Council of New Westminster, $15,000
  • EVENT, $15,000
  • New Westminster Museum and Archives, $24,000
  • Savage Production Society, $24,000

“Arts and culture organizations enhance the lives of so many people across the province, whether it’s through joining a local theatre group or spending an afternoon at the museum,” says Aman Singh, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough. “Part of building back better means supporting our arts and culture sectors, so they can keep inspiring, teaching, and bringing people together.”

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, the 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 provincewide list of recipients, visit: news.gov.bc.ca/26517