Performing arts presenters throughout British Columbia are receiving $331,500 in grants to engage professional touring artists and enhance programming activity.

Through the Community Presenters Assistance program, the BC Touring Council is investing in 46 arts groups representing 43 communities.

The Community Presenters Assistance program supports non-profit community-based performing arts presenters outside the cities of Victoria and Vancouver. Funding, provided by the Government of B.C. through the BC Arts Council, supports artistically diverse programming featuring professional Canadian touring artists. By supporting community presenters, this program strengthens B.C.’s touring network and helps establish “hubs” for the presentation of touring artists in a geographic region.

Examples of grant recipients include:

• Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam – $15,000
• Haida Gwaii Arts Council, Queen Charlotte – $2,314
• Kicking Horse Culture, Golden – $14,671
• Osoyoos & District Arts Council, Osoyoos – $3,905
• Quesnel Live Arts, Quesnel – $7,976

For a full list of recipients, visit: https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/mediaroom/recipients.htm

Projects funded through the Community Presenter Assistance program take place between July 2016 and June 2017.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development –

“British Columbia’s thriving creative economy will continue to grow through this investment in the Community Presenters Assistance program as it enables non-profit community organizations to present Canadian touring acts. Through this program, audiences throughout our province gain access to and experience high-quality, professional performing arts.”

Merla Beckerman, chair, BC Arts Council –

“This successful partnership between the BC Arts Council and the BC Touring Council offers extraordinary opportunities for our professional performing artists to showcase their work. These outreach touring events provide meaningful employment for the talented participating artists, and also deliver an inspiring taste of B.C. arts and culture to appreciative audiences in smaller or more rural communities, as well as some of our larger centres. We all benefit.”

Joanna Maratta, executive director, BC Touring Council –

“The impact of the Community Presenters Assistance program for artists, presenters and communities has many benefits. CPA funding supports professional touring fees, which is good for artists. It allows community organizations to improve their presenting skills and to share their love of music, theatre, dance and other performing arts with their communities while growing their audiences. Performing arts experiences promote wellness, community pride and are a positive impact for the local economy.”

Colleen Brines, chair, Quesnel Live Arts –

“Quesnel Live Arts, with the support of the Community Presenters Assistance grant, has been able to increase the number and quality of concerts, as well as commit to long-range plans. Local sponsorship has increased and community commitment to the series is evident. Our thanks certainly go to the BC Arts Council and the BC Touring Council for this support.”

Quick Facts:

• Incorporated as a not-for-profit in 1976, the BC Touring Council exists for successful and sustainable touring and presenting of the performing arts in British Columbia. It provides professional development and online services to more than 300 members, including presenters, artists, artistic companies and agents/managers.
• In partnership with the BC Arts Council, the BC Touring Council delivers the Community Presenters Assistance, Community Presenter Youth Engagement and Aspiring and Emerging Artists Touring and Training Initiative programs.
• The Government of British Columbia is spending more than $60 million on artists, arts and culture organizations in 2016-17, including approximately $17.5 million in community gaming grants.
• In 2016-17, the Government of British Columbia is providing the BC Arts Council with $24 million to help artists and cultural organizations flourish in more than 200 communities throughout the province.
• Launched in February 2016, the Government of British Columbia’s three-year Creative Economy Strategy is supporting and growing the creative sector. This 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.

Learn More:

BC Touring Council: http://bctouring.org

BC Arts Council: http://www.bcartscouncil.ca

Creative Economy: http://www.gov.bc.ca/creativeeconomy