The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) and its school of music have received a total of $2.22 million from the provincial government and the British Columbia Arts Council, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ida Chong announced.

The Province has awarded the VSO's community music school $1 million, while the BC Arts Council has granted the VSO $1.22 million for annual operating costs.

Western Canada's largest performing arts organization, the VSO offers more than 150 concerts per year in the Lower Mainland with an annual attendance in excess of 200,000 people. VSO attracts world-class artists to British Columbia.

VSO school of music began classes and lessons this September. Part of the school's programming offers the latest distance learning technology to instruct students in communities throughout the province, including rural British Columbia. VSO school of music will connect aspiring young artists across B.C. with professional musicians from the VSO and guest performers from around the globe.

The BC Arts Council - an independent agency of the Province - supports opportunities for artists, strengthens local economies and enhances quality of life for citizens in communities across British Columbia.

The Province's $2.22 million investment in the VSO and the VSO school of music includes:

• $1.22 million from BC Arts Council's first round of approved awards for 2011-12.
• $1 million from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Quotes:

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ida Chong -

"We're proud to work with the Vancouver Symphony - one of Canada's most prestigious orchestras - to help talented youth throughout British Columbia develop their musical ability."

BC Arts Council chair Stan Hamilton -

"The BC Arts Council is committed to fostering excellence in all its forms. Year after year, our independent peer review committees have recognized the VSO as one of the leading arts organizations in the province - and acknowledged its commitment to the highest-possible standards of musical performance, community involvement and outreach activities."

VSO school of music executive director Shaun Taylor -

"The VSO school of music is grateful for this support, which allows us to provide the highest-quality of music education to students of all ages and abilities - not just in Vancouver but throughout the province."

Quick Facts:

• The Vancouver Symphony, Canada's third-largest symphony orchestra, employs more than 100 people full-time.
• The organization's annual operating budget exceeds $13 million.
• The $30-million VSO school of music began programs this fall in downtown Vancouver in a newly constructed state-of-the-art 2,325 square-metre (25,000 square-foot) facility including an acoustically isolated recital hall with recording capabilities, 18 acoustically designed teaching studios, two classrooms, an ensemble room, cafe, gift shop and computer listening stations.
• Serving students of all ages (three months to seniors) and all skill levels, the VSO school of music offers lessons on all orchestral instruments, as well as piano, voice, chamber music, classical guitar, music appreciation, theory, history and world instruments such as the sitar and koto.

Learn More

For more information, visit the BC Arts Council website at: http://www.bcartscouncil.ca

Visit the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at: http://www.vancouversymphony.ca

Visit the VSO School of Music at: http://www.vsoschoolofmusic.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677
Jeff.Rud@gov.bc.ca

Chris Gudgeon
Communications Manager
BC Arts Council
250 356-8125
Chris.Gudgeon@gov.bc.ca

Jaime Moore Hirsbrunner
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
604 684-9100 ext. 266
Jaime@vancouversymphony.ca

Shaun Taylor
VSO School of Music
604 915-9300 ext. 114
shaun@vsoschoolofmusic.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Oct. 14, 2011 Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

BC Arts Council

BC Arts Council announces approved funding

The BC Arts Council's first round of approved awards for fiscal year 2011-12 will help support artists and arts and cultural organizations across British Columbia. This round represents $9,098,945 in grants - more than half of the $16.831 million provided by the Province to the BC Arts Council earlier this year.

Grants vary from $1.22 million for the Vancouver Symphony Society to awards of less than $2,000 for individual scholarships in British Columbia. Representing regions provincewide, funded organizations and individuals specialize in a range of artistic and cultural activities, including theatre, dance, ballet, opera, literary arts, First Nations arts and culture, photography and media arts.

For an updated listing of approved awards for 2011-12, visit: http://www.bcartscouncil.ca

BC Arts Council provides funding continuity

Every year, the BC Arts Council funds more than 1,000 recipients across British Columbia.

Council grants support many of British Columbia's key cultural organizations and events.

• From 2001 until March 31, 2011, the BC Arts Council granted $152 million to artists and cultural organizations in British Columbia.
• Total arts and culture support from the B.C. government exceeds half a billion dollars over the last decade.
• B.C.'s creative sector employs more than 78,000 people and contributes $5.2 billion to our provincial economy.

Making music with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

• In partnership with the BC Arts Council, the provincial government provides sustained, significant support to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
• Provincial government support for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra since 2007 exceeds $7 million.

Media Contacts:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677
Jeff.Rud@gov.bc.ca

Jaime Moore Hirsbrunner
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
604 684-9100 ext. 266
Jaime@vancouversymphony.ca

Chris Gudgeon
Communications Manager
BC Arts Council
250 356-8125
Chris.Gudgeon@gov.bc.ca

Shaun Taylor
VSO School of Music
604 915-9300 ext. 114
shaun@vsoschoolofmusic.ca