Thanks to significantly increased funding, the BC Arts Council Scholarship Program can offer more opportunities for young British Columbians to study the arts, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett said today.

The B.C. government is increasing support for the scholarship program from $150,000 to $750,000 this year. As a result, the number of scholarships granted to British Columbians studying the arts could more than triple, from about 50 to as high as 175. The new funding increases the maximum value of the scholarships from $4,000 to $6,000.

The BC Arts Council, government's key development and funding agency for the arts, grants scholarships to help B.C. students attend prestigious art schools and universities in the province, across Canada and worldwide. British Columbia residents entering a full-time degree or diploma program in a range of disciplines can apply for a scholarship. The application deadline is April 30, 2013.

For more information about qualifications and how to apply, visit: http://www.bcartscouncil.ca/guidelines/artists/youth/scholarship_awards.html

Scholarship recipients from previous years have achieved success and acclaim in the arts, including:

• Esi Edugyan - novelist (Giller Prize winner)

• Atom Egoyan - filmmaker

• Jon Kimura Parker - classical pianist

• Steven Shearer - visual artist

• Jillian Vanstone - dancer (National Ballet of Canada)

• Ann Marie Fleming - animator

• Heather Redfern - theatre director

• Alex Wong - "So You Think You Can Dance" All Star.

B.C. government funding for the BC Arts Council in 2013-14 will reach a record high of $24 million - up from $16.8 million last year. More arts scholarships will support BC Creative Futures, the B.C. government's strategy to foster creativity and help British Columbia's creative industries continue to grow.

Quotes:

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett -

"By establishing more opportunities for artistically gifted young people to maximize their talents, we are helping B.C.'s emerging creative leaders bring fresh energy and ideas to the creative industries in our province. The scholarship program will help the arts continue to play a dynamic role in British Columbia's economy and community life."

BC Arts Council chair Stan Hamilton -

"The BC Arts Council Scholarship Program has helped many young, talented British Columbians benefit from studying at the best arts schools and universities in the world. The outstanding success of our scholarship recipients over the years shows the significant contribution this program makes to arts and culture in British Columbia. I encourage B.C.'s young artists to take advantage of the program's increased capacity and consider applying for a scholarship."

Quick Facts:

• Every year, the BC Arts Council approves about 1,000 grants for arts and culture organizations, as well as individual artists, in over 200 British Columbia communities.

• Council enlists input from B.C.'s arts community to evaluate grant applications through an independent peer review process.

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested almost $210 million through the BC Arts Council to support British Columbia's artists, arts and cultural organizations.

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has provided more than $2.6 billion in support for arts and culture in British Columbia, including the screen-based entertainment industry.

Learn More:

For a list of all recipients included in the latest round of BC Arts Council grants, visit: http://www.bcartscouncil.ca/mediaroom/recipients.htm

Check out the provincial government's role in supporting sport, arts and culture through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd

Learn about BC Creative Futures at: http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/arts_culture/bccf.htm

Contact:

Matt Gordon
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 896-4923 (cell)