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Media Contacts

Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 208-4309

Backgrounders

Provincial relief, recovery support for B.C. arts and culture

The Province has provided a range of relief and recovery support to artists and arts and culture organizations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, the provincial government is providing $35 million in targeted recovery funding through the BC Arts Council, including:

  • $14 million in supplemental funding in March 2021 to 588 organizations that receive annual funding or project grants to help keep their lights on;
  • $15.7 million in supplemental funding in fall 2020 to 556 organizations that receive annual funding or project grants to help keep their lights on; and
  • $5.3 million to help 155 arts and culture organizations adapt to the challenges of the pandemic through the Pivot Program.

In addition to this targeted funding, the B.C. government, through the BC Arts Council, has provided or is providing:

  • $1.3 million to help professional artists adapt to the challenges of the pandemic in the new Pivot for Individuals program;
  • a $3-million supplement to arts and culture organizations in spring 2020;
  • $15 million in accelerated 2020-21 operating funding to BC Arts Council clients to help with their cash flow;
  • $4 million to 97 arts and culture organizations to improve their existing arts spaces and buy special equipment through the council’s new Arts Infrastructure program;
  • $150,000 in micro grants to 108 artists to help them adapt to changes in the sector (in partnership with Yosef Wosk Family Foundation and City of Vancouver);
  • $200,000 to the Vancouver Foundation to support its Community Response Fund; and
  • $123,000 to the BC Museums Association for micro grants to 49 small and medium-sized museums to help them meet their immediate needs.

The BC Arts Council has also extended grant deadlines and changed reporting requirements to make it easier for grant recipients during the pandemic.