Eleven arts organizations throughout the province are receiving up to $50,000 each to renovate their spaces or purchase specialized equipment, which will result in stronger partnerships, increased innovation and a more robust creative economy.

The 2015-16 Collaborative Spaces pilot project is funding targeted projects as part of the Province’s new Creative Economy Strategy. Investing in B.C.’s creative clusters – i.e., mixed-use, flexible arts spaces and shared resources – will help promote artistic creation, increase shared resources and facilitate collaboration. These projects will enhance accessibility for artists and audiences throughout British Columbia.

The Collaborative Spaces pilot project builds on the Province’s commitment to promote the value of creativity and encourage co-operation, while at the same time, driving innovation, productivity and entrepreneurship.

Highlights of investments made through the Collaborative Spaces pilot project include:

• $20,000 for the Presentation House Theatre Society in North Vancouver, a performing arts space used collectively by five resident organizations, as well as many community partners. Funding will support specialized equipment for a new performance and creation space, increasing the ability to showcase new works by B.C. artists and generate additional revenue.
• $27,500 for the En’owkin Centre in Penticton, a leading Indigenous creative hub that promotes creation, presentation, language revitalization and business development. Funding will help upgrade space and equipment to further the organization’s artistic objectives and contribution to the local creative economy.
• $50,000 for the Wachiay Friendship Centre in Courtenay, a social enterprise for Indigenous artists located in the Comox Valley. Funding will create a new digital media facility, generate new business opportunities for local artists and expand youth engagement and mentorship.

To help build this sector, the Creative Economy Strategy will target $1.5 million toward collaborative arts spaces over three years.

Further details about the 2016-17 Collaborative Spaces program will be released in June 2016. This program will include an open call for applications to qualifying not-for-profit arts and culture groups throughout the province.

For a full list of recipients, visit: http://ow.ly/4ndx9x

Quote:

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender –

“Collaborative arts spaces enrich B.C.’s creative landscape by increasing resources for artists, improving access for audiences, and supporting the creative people who drive the BC Jobs Plan. These facilities are a key resource for our province’s growing creative economy, and we are proud to target $1.5 million over three years toward collaborative arts spaces through the Creative Economy Strategy. Congratulations to all the recipients.”

Quick Facts:

• Launched in February 2016, the three-year Creative Economy Strategy will help grow the creative sector.
• The strategy focuses on four key areas:
  • Leveraging talent and creative clusters.
  • Accessing new markets.
  • Maximizing investment.
  • Enriching communities.
• The United Nations has identified the creative economy as one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors for income generation, job creation and export earnings.
• With 24,800 artists, B.C. has more artists per capita than any other province.
• The B.C. government is spending more than $60 million on artists, arts and culture organizations in 2016-17, including $24 million for the BC Arts Council and about $17.5 million in community gaming grants.

Learn More:

For more information about the Creative Economy Strategy, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/creativeeconomy

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