On behalf of Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender, Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness congratulates the Hope and District Arts Council for receiving $40,000 as part of the 2016-17 Collaborative Spaces program, which encourages co-operation between arts organizations through the sharing of space and specialized equipment.

This funding will support a renovation to create program space for the Art Machine community arts program. It will help with site planning and preparation, moving a modular building to house the program, sprinkler installation and electrical and plumbing upgrades.

Collaborative arts spaces are an important contributor to British Columbia’s growing creative economy. These creative clusters, or ‘hubs’, are mixed-use, flexible spaces that blend educational, recreational and cultural engagement uses.

By investing in arts and culture spaces, the Collaborative Spaces program generates new artistic opportunities, facilitates collaboration, enhances accessibility for artists and audiences, and strengthens local economies throughout B.C.

The Government of British Columbia is investing approximately $60 million in arts and culture in 2016-17 to support a thriving creative economy. As part of the Creative Economy Strategy, Government is targeting $1.5 million towards collaborative spaces over three years.

Quotes:

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

“Cultural infrastructure is the foundation of a thriving creative sector. By investing in space and equipment for B.C. artists, and encouraging collaboration amongst artists to maximize the benefits of these resources, our government is supporting cultural activity that leads to healthy, vibrant communities and a strong creative economy.”

Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope –

“The arts play an integral role in our society and enrich our lives. Programs like the Art Machine help bring the arts within reach for many members of our community. Thank you to the Hope and District Arts Council for the work you do.”

Quick Facts:

• The Collaborative Spaces program is investing $499,500 in 13 arts organizations in 2016-17. The 2015-16 Collaborative Spaces pilot project invested $436,300 in 11 arts organizations.
• 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.

Learn More:

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