Four arts and culture groups in the North are getting more than $200,000 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 North are getting dedicated funding to improve arts infrastructure and buy special equipment. For example, the Smithers Art Gallery received $11,850 to buy and install moveable walls. These new walls will double space to hang art in the gallery while preserving the heritage building. This project will also help the gallery expand the types of installations it can host.

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.”

Nathan Cullen, MLA for Stikine –

“The arts and culture groups in the northwest represent the very best of who we are. Our government is spending $200,000 for programs across our region to better help tell our stories and connect our communities. This new support for the Smithers Art Gallery will help make it better able to do just that.”

Nicole Chernish, manager, Smithers Art Gallery –

“Having additional hanging space is something we’ve wanted for a long time. Thanks to this new program we had a way to access dedicated funding for arts spaces. We’re excited to order and install the new moveable walls to offer larger, more diverse and dynamic exhibitions.”

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/