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VANCOUVER – British Columbians are celebrating B.C.’s vibrant arts and cultural community during this, the ninth annual Arts and Culture Week, Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Stan Hagen announced today, during a visit to Vancouver’s ArtStarts Gallery.
“Artistic endeavours have played a key role in the development of our province,” said Hagen. “This year, as we celebrate our 150th anniversary as a crown colony, Arts and Culture Week activities, like those here at the ArtStarts Gallery, showcase this sector as an essential expression of our history, heritage and identity.”
ArtStarts is the first Canadian gallery devoted
exclusively to young people’s art. The gallery displays art projects
from the Artists in Education program, an initiative that
provides children and youth a chance to collaborate with professional artists
in classroom and workshop settings. The current exhibition, 150 Years Later, in honour of BC150,
features works created by young people from across the province.
“The ArtStarts Gallery for young people’s art proudly showcases the
remarkable artistic talents of B.C.’s youth through such creative initiatives
as the Artists in Education residency program,” said Wendy Newman, executive
director of ArtStarts in Schools. “The visually striking exhibitions in this
gallery celebrate the exciting artwork that emerges when professional artists,
students and teachers work together to deepen learning, creativity and
community connections.”
Presented by the Assembly of BC Arts Councils and Arts Starts in Schools, and supported by the BC Arts Council, Arts and Culture Week (April 20-26) focuses on the important role arts and cultural activities play in the social and economic well-being of B.C.’s communities.
The 2008 Budget contains a $209-million commitment for arts and culture projects, including:
· $50 million for the expansion of the Vancouver Art Gallery;
· $9 million to restore and revitalize the Vancouver East Cultural Centre; and
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A $150-million Endowment for the creation of a new
BC150 Cultural Fund in honour of BC150.
A complete list of
events during Arts and Culture Week is available at www.bcartsweek.ca.
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Communications Manager 250 387-2799 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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