Ten arts and culture groups in the Kootenays and the Thompson Okanagan are getting more than $317,000 help to improve their spaces or buy equipment.

“Arts and culture groups operate vitally important spaces of belonging in communities throughout B.C., and this funding will help enhance their facilities so they can come back strong after the pandemic,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “We’re supporting arts groups to upgrade their spaces, improve safety features, increase accessibility or buy equipment so they can continue to offer virtual programming and contribute to B.C.’s economic recovery.”

As the first recipients of the BC Arts Council’s new program, arts and culture groups in the Interior are getting dedicated funding to improve arts infrastructure and buy special equipment. For example, Capitol Theatre Restoration Society in Nelson received $16,914 to install support beams to rig the theatre’s new speakers and sound system to the fly above the stage. Hanging the speakers will increase the usable stage area and expand the types of productions the theatre can bring to audiences.

In total, 50 arts and culture organizations across B.C. received nearly $2 million in grants to help improve arts and culture spaces and support the sector’s resilience.

Quotes:

Bob D’Eith, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film –

“These are grants that make a big impact in our communities. This program shows that the B.C. government is listening and responding to the needs of arts and culture groups. I look forward to continuing to work with the arts and culture sector as our economy recovers.”

Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston –

“Arts are a large part of what makes the Kootenays so special. So, it’s great to see organizations like the Capitol Theatre getting the support they need to upgrade their spaces and keep our communities vibrant.”

Stephanie Fischer, executive director, Capitol Theatre –

“Thank you to the Province for making these dedicated funds available. The Capitol Theatre was built in 1927 and beautifully restored in the 1980s. Since 2014, we’ve been working on renovations and equipment upgrades to bring the theatre up to date. This grant helps us complete a vital step. With these upgrades we’re excited to welcome audiences back once it’s safe to do so.”

Quick Facts:

• Through the Arts Infrastructure Program, arts and cultural organizations can get grants of up to:
  • $75,000 to improve arts and culture spaces; and
  • $40,000 to buy special equipment to support art programming.
• The BC Arts Council administers the Arts Infrastructure Program. A peer committee reviewed the funding applications.
• As part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, the Province is providing $21 million to support arts and culture organizations’ recovery through the BC Arts Council.

Learn More:

To see a full list of recipients, visit: https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/funding/recipients/