The B.C. government is providing $75,000 to help the township of Esquimalt make local arts and culture an important part of the community's 100th anniversary celebration, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett announced today.

Vancouver's Honda Celebration of Light festival in English Bay will shine brighter thanks to significant funding from the B.C. government, announced Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Vancouver Opera has received $250,000 from the government of British Columbia, Community Sport and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong announced.

The Province extends its warmest congratulations to Victoria's Ryder Hesjedal for his historic and exhilarating victory at the Giro d'Italia this weekend, announced Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ida Chong.

The Province is supporting Victoria's bid for the 2014 Juno Awards with a $50,000 grant, announced the Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Creative celebrations and community involvement highlighted Arts and Culture Week in communities throughout British Columbia this year.

British Columbians are celebrating the 13th annual Arts and Culture Week, April 22-28, in recognition of the province's talented artists and diverse arts and cultural organizations.

Groups focusing on adult arts and sports, animal welfare and the environment are encouraged to take advantage of a special community gaming grant application intake, Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, announced.

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong congratulates Esi Edugyan and Joan MacLeod, two British Columbia-based literary artists who received major arts awards this week.