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MAJOR INVESTMENT ANNOUNCED FOR B.C. ARTS AND
CULTURE |
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VANCOUVER – The Province will seek legislative approval for a $25-million grant to the Vancouver Foundation to help strengthen and secure the long-term future of the arts and culture sector across B.C. with the establishment of the B.C. Arts Renaissance Fund, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
“Arts and culture play a critical role in defining and enriching our communities, our unique B.C. identity, and the lives of all of us wherever we live,” Campbell said. “The arts are also important contributors to our economy as well as to our society. This funding is intended to help ensure a thriving arts community across B.C. as we prepare to welcome the world in 2010 and for generations to come.”
The Vancouver Foundation will use the proposed $25-million grant to establish an endowment and development fund to support the arts in all regions of the province. The B.C. Arts Renaissance Fund will leverage funding from the private sector to establish additional endowments, creating long-term sustainability for B.C.’s arts community, and enabling smaller organizations to access new opportunities for growth.
“This money will provide lasting benefits to arts and culture organizations, and to the communities they serve,” said Vancouver Foundation chair, Gerald McGavin. “The Vancouver Foundation believes in this long term approach to community development and appreciates the willingness of the province to help in building a better British Columbia.”
An independent advisory board will be established to provide advice on criteria for approving applications to the B.C. Arts Renaissance Fund. The founding chair will be long-time supporter of B.C.’s arts community Michael Audain. B.C. Arts Council chair Donald Shumka has also been asked to serve on the founding board. The Vancouver Foundation will appoint additional members.
“Strong, creative communities are known to attract business, tourists and industry, bringing employment opportunities and additional wealth to the community,” said John Les, Minister of Small Business and Economic Development. “People are attracted to communities, regardless of geography, that actively support arts and culture.”
The Vancouver Foundation is the largest community foundation in Canada. The Foundation has significant experience in fund and program management and currently manages more than 800 separate funds including a number established by provincial funding.
If approved by the legislature, the proposed funding will come from supplementary estimates for the 2004/2005 fiscal year for the Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development. The funding for the B.C. Arts Renaissance Fund builds on the Province’s previous commitments to support the arts, including:
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$20 million for the
Spirit of B.C. Arts Fund to support community arts and cultural opportunities
in preparation for hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
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$12 million for ArtsNow program,
overseen by 2010 LegaciesNow.
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The new B.C. Creative
Achievement Awards, recognizing outstanding B.C. applied artists and designers.
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The new $25,000 B.C.
Award for Canadian Non-Fiction.
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contact: |
Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218 |
Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development 250 952-0152 |
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Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
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