A Response to Arts Funding Cuts

A Response to Arts Funding Cuts

Excerpt:

We are the land of Glenn Gould and Nickelback, Jon Vickers and kd lang, Margaret Atwood and Doug Coupland, Luminato and The Fringe — and every kind of art in between.

Where does the government imagine these artists come from? Do they wander in off the street, fully-prepared to perform? Of course not. They are trained, educated, given apprenticeships and innumerable opportunities to perform. They are given forums like festivals and films and much more, and they are given the means to make art.

Some philistines argue that the arts should pay their own way. This is aberrant nonsense. Canadian art is more than arenas full of visiting American rockers. Canadian art is who we are as a people.

Money is NOT the measure of merit. It is a means of supporting merit.

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GVPTA | Vancouver Live Theatre News

GVPTA | Vancouver Live Theatre News

EXCERPT:

Kevin Krueger, BC’s Minister of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts, recently announced that this $10M (curiously similar to the amount missing from the BC Arts Council operating budget) will be allocated to 2010 Sports and Arts Legacy Fund and the creation of “Spirit Festivals.” There are still no details regarding these festivals. Minister Krueger says “[The Spirit Festivals] are intended to build on the phenomenal success of the Cultural Olympiad.” (Read the coverage here or here.)

You know what would be a perfect way to build on the success of the Cultural Olympiad? Not cutting core funding to the professional arts organizations that actually made it happen. Call me crazy.

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Bulk of $10-million arts legacy fund going to B.C. Spirit Festival Days, NDP MLA says | Vancouver, Canada | Straight.com

Bulk of $10-million arts legacy fund going to B.C. Spirit Festival Days, NDP MLA says | Vancouver, Canada | Straight.com

Excerpt:

“They’ve eviscerated the B.C. Arts Council by cutting them by 50 percent, they’ve decimated gaming funding. People just want stable funding for the arts, distributed by a jury process,” Chandra Herbert said.

“I hope these are not going to be government propaganda festivals,” he added, pointing out the festival will run in the three years that lead up to the next election.

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Terrace: Art gallery future uncertain after losing gaming grants

Terrace: Art gallery future uncertain after losing gaming grants

EXCERPT:

Members called the gaming commission while filling out grant papers in early April and were told they no longer qualified because the program had changed and only youth oriented groups would be receiving money, said Irving.

The art gallery has been here for 29 years and was free to visit.

About 6,250 visitors come to the gallery every year and about 22 classes have come through the gallery this past school year.

“The loss of the gallery would be a serious blow to local artists,” said Irving.

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The Face of BC Arts Cuts « The Art of the Business

The Face of BC Arts Cuts « The Art of the Business

EXCERPT:

Recently, the City of Vancouver decided to close the Blodel Conservatory and the petting zoo at Stanley Park. It is my belief that this is because the Olympics are causing huge cost overruns, and the City has to figure out some way to make up that deficit. The Blodel Conservatory costs only about $400,000 to keep open. And closing the Blodel will have an effect on another young company that I work with: ITSAZOO Productions. Their biggest show of the year for the past two years is an annual, outdoor, promenade-style show that regularly sells out because it’s fun and takes advantage of a beautiful park setting in the middle of the summer.

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Liberal-arts cuts are bad for B.C.’s economy -Peter Ladner

www.bivinteractive.com - At Large: Peter Ladner

EXCERPT:

The arts are the infrastructure for a creative economy. Why would we be lowering taxes to attract new businesses and mobile employees, especially in the burgeoning new- media industries, while we undermine the performing artists and organizations that feed those industries and pull creative people into this province?

Recommendation from the Finance Committee to Restore Arts Funding! « Stop the BC Arts Cuts

Recommendation from the Finance Committee to Restore Arts Funding! « Stop the BC Arts Cuts

EXCERPT:

· Restore the budgets of both the BC Arts Council and the arts and cultural community component of the Community Gaming Grants Program to at least the level of 2008/09 to allow the arts community to begin to build upon the legacy of the 2010 Olympics. The 2010 Olympics provide our province with such a wonderful “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to showcase not only the athletes, but the breadth and depth of arts and cultural activities that make British Columbia such a great place to live, work and visit. Without at least the level of funding provided in 2008/09 it will be next to impossible for the arts and cultural community to seize the opportunities presented by the 2010 Olympics.

· Develop and announce a long term strategy to strengthen the support for the arts and cultural community of British Columbia as the province works it way out of the current fiscal difficulties. The BC150 Cultural Fund has provided a valuable foundation, and we are very grateful for this long term support, even as present rates of return have diminished the current impact of this source. At the same time many private donors have
reduced their support for all not-for-profit organizations, only compounding the financial issues facing most arts organizations. The arts community is looking for a more positive attitude and increased visible support from government.” (Jane Danzo, B.C. Arts Council, Written submission 670)

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