British Columbia’s diverse arts and cultural communities will benefit from a new strategic plan, the BC Arts Council has announced.

The plan sets out the council’s new commitments to enhance arts and cultural development throughout the province.

“The strategy offers renewed vision, values and strategic direction for the BC Arts Council,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “This plan will strengthen opportunities for British Columbians all across the province, to participate and thrive in the creative economy today, and in the future.”

New Foundations: Strategic Plan for the British Columbia Arts Council 2018-2022, lays out the framework for the goals and actions of the council for the next five years. Working in collaboration with arts and culture organizations around B.C., the strategy is aimed at improving delivery of arts and culture supports.

Key objectives include:

• improving sustainability and creative development;
• enhancing engagement with Indigenous arts and culture;
• increasing equity, diversity and access; and
• expanding regional arts and community arts.

“The BC Arts Council has heard a clear message that artists and cultural organizations are seeking new approaches to support sustainability and resiliency in B.C.'s arts and culture sector," said Susan Jackson, chair of the BC Arts Council. "This strategic plan reflects the council's strong commitment to renewal, artistic expression, equity and access, so that all people in British Columbia can participate in the arts and celebrate culture."

The BC Arts Council is British Columbia’s lead agency for arts funding and development in the province. Funding provided by the council is done through a peer-review adjudication process. Grant recipients represent a diverse group of artists and arts organizations from every region of the province, including Indigenous groups, scholarship students and community arts councils.

Quick Facts:

• This is the third strategic plan released by the BC Arts Council since 2009.
• The new strategic plan was the developed following a series of consultations with artists, cultural organizations and communities around the province over the past three years.
• In the 2018 Budget, the Province increased its support of the BC Arts Council by $15 million over the next three years.

Learn More:

For an online copy of the New Foundations: Strategic Plan for the British Columbia Arts Council 2018-2022, visit: http://www.bcartscouncil.ca/mediaroom/publications.htm