British Columbians are celebrating the 12th annual Arts and Culture Week, April 10-16, in recognition of the province's richly talented artists and amazingly diverse arts and cultural organizations.

Events in every region across the province will help British Columbians celebrate Arts and Culture Week this year. Performances, art walks, exhibitions and public art projects, featuring work by over 20,000 B.C. artists will inspire provincewide celebrations of the arts for British Columbians of all ages to enjoy.

The BC Arts Council initiated Arts and Culture Week in 1999 to raise the profile of B.C. artists and arts organizations. Arts and Culture Week highlights the social, cultural and economic value of the arts to communities across the province, helps connect artists with existing audiences and fosters opportunity in the arts for a new generation of British Columbians.

The council works closely with partners, ArtsBC and ArtStarts in Schools, to deliver the week-long awareness campaign.

The BC Arts Council is an independent organization that supports the arts across the province by consulting with the arts and cultural community to develop cultural policy and a long-term strategy for the development of the creative sector.

Quotes:

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong -

"From the ancient traditions of First Nations art to the creativity displayed during the 2010 Cultural Olympiad, British Columbia has inspired an ongoing, outstanding tradition of arts and culture. It's a tradition that will continue to flourish into the future, enriching the lives of British Columbians in communities in every corner of the province."

Stan Hamilton, chair of the BC Arts Council board -

"Arts and Culture Week is one more opportunity to celebrate the significant contributions of the arts sector while acknowledging the cultural and economic value of the arts to families and communities across the province."

Contact:

Jeff Rud

Communications Director

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

250 953-3677

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect