Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons has indicated that support from the BC government will help local artists and art organizations 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,” stated Simons in a media release. “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.”
Simons stated that 12 artists and organizations will benefit from this recovery funding, including qathet Arts Council, book publishers, and multiple festivals and galleries.
The release stated that this funding comes from more than $12.4 million in one-time funding to the BC Arts Council, which will distribute $7.9 million in resilience supplements to more than 300 organizations currently receiving operating assistance.
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 enable applicants to prioritize what activity or activities will provide the greatest and most meaningful impact to their organization, practice and/or community, according to the release.
This grant program signals a new focus on flexibility, equity, inclusion and diversity in how the BC Arts Council supports arts and culture organizations, the release stated. Funding is available to organizations and collectives with an arts and culture mandate and/or offering dedicated arts and culture programming, including nonprofit organizations and Indigenous governments and community organizations.
COVID-19 resilience recipients include Pacific Region International Summer Music Association (PRISMA), which will receive $17,600. Arts impact grant program recipients include qathet Arts Council, which will be receiving $30,000, and Malaspina Art Society, which will be receiving $20,800.
