Non-profit cultural organizations, First Nations and friendship centres are sharing $804,000 in B.C. government grants to improve local arts infrastructure, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes said today.

The BC Creative Spaces program has awarded 41 grants to help arts and cultural organizations in communities throughout the province develop new spaces, improve existing facilities, and purchase or upgrade specialized equipment.

Approved projects include:

• Wachiay Friendship Centre Society (Comox) $34,500
• Evergreen Cultural Centre Society (Coquitlam) $24,000
• Island Mountain Arts Society (Wells) $21,000
• Stage North Theatre Society (Fort St. John) $15,000
• Okanagan Symphony Society $13,000

Improved cultural facilities help make B.C. communities continue to be vibrant and engaging places to live, visit, work and raise a family. Projects funded under BC Creative Spaces also benefit local contractors and businesses.

Quotes:

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes -

"Arts and culture organizations add vitality and expression to community life. Arts infrastructure funding will enable great local organizations and First Nations communities to expand, renovate and improve their creative spaces. These practical investments will help British Columbia’s vibrant cultural life continue to flourish.”

Quick Facts:

• Again this year, the B.C. government is investing over $60 million in British Columbia’s artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions in 2014-15.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has provided more than half a billion dollars for arts and culture in British Columbia, more than any other government in the province’s history.

Learn More:

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

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 888-1462