Young people from throughout British Columbia will have an opportunity again this year to participate in the Democracy in Action conference, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes said.

The Provincial government is expanding its successful After School Sport and Arts Initiative (ASSAI) with up to $150,000 in annual funding for children shared by three new communities.

British Columbia residents attending a full-time arts degree or diploma program this fall are eligible to apply for up to $6,000 per person through the BC Arts Council's scholarship program. Professional half-day dance programs in conjunction with high school are also eligible.

Parent Advisory Committees (PACs) that provide support for extracurricular sports, arts, class trips and other school activities will share $11,334,300 in community gaming grants this funded by the B.C. government.

Independent media artists can now apply for project grants from the BC Arts Council.

Schools and school districts can now apply for $1.5 million in grants to help bring artists into classrooms.

Applications are now being accepted for B.C. government grants supporting school-based extracurricular activities.

British Columbians are reminded of upcoming dates for applications to the BC Arts Council for grants for professional project assistance in the areas of music, dance, theatre, literary arts, and training.

Are you a B.C. resident attending a full-time fine arts degree or diploma program this fall? The BC Arts Council Scholarship program is ready to receive applications now from young British Columbians seeking world-class opportunities to study the arts.