Province Funds BC’s Artistic Ambassadors on World Stage

British Columbia artists and arts organizations will be travelling internationally to share their work and make connections, thanks to provincial government funding, part of the Province’s Creative Economy Strategy.

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, made the announcement at the Dance Centre in Vancouver on May 26 along with representatives from Ballet BC. The International Presence pilot project is funding 18 projects totalling $237,574, representing a range of artistic disciplines and tour locations in Canada, the United States and Europe.

By promoting international touring, the Province is strengthening the global presence of B.C.’s creative sector. As well as being artistic ambassadors for the province, recipients have an opportunity to expand their global exposure, build international relationships, tap into new markets, and help attract investors, collectors, patrons or presenters.

International Presence 2015-16 pilot recipients are:

Ballet BC ($100,000)
Headlining the International Dance Festival Birmingham (U.K. premiere for the company) as well as appearing at the Joyce Theater in New York City and the Canada Dance Festival in Ottawa.

Carli Kennedy (Twin Kennedy) ($2,736)
Tour through the United States for the award-winning band Twin Kennedy.

Christopher Smith (Dralms) ($3,032)
European tour of the band Dralms with a performance at the Trans Musicales festival, an important international festival within Europe that attracts audiences and industry professionals from over 26 countries.

Company 605 ($3,000)
Travelling to three major festivals in Germany

Contemporary Art Gallery ($12,000)
Solo exhibition of new and recent work by Liz Magor to France, Italy and Germany.

D. Lee Williams ($2,500)
A tour of the show “Dear Armen” to the east coast of the United States.

Don Alder ($2,620)
Touring through five states in the United States to promote his new album and to participate in the International Harp Guitar Gathering.

Eli Bennett ($2,626)
Award-winning artist touring through the United States and Canada to promote new album. First tour to the U.S.

Francois Houle ($1,751)
Tour of professional engagements in Sweden and Italy to present collaborative projects with presenters and musicians.

Green Thumb Theatre ($6,750)
North American tour of “Celestial Being.”

Kelowna Art Gallery ($4,025)
Tour of Landon Mackenzie’s work within Canada

Kidd Pivot ($16,250)
Tour of the work “Betroffenheit” through Canada, the U.S. and Europe. This piece is a collaboration between two B.C. companies (Kidd Pivot and Electric Company).

National Gallery of Canada ($50,000)
Support for Geoffrey Farmer to represent Canada at the Venice Biennale in 2017.

Peter Sandmark ($6,615)
A European tour across five countries for roots music group Slim Sandy.

Pugs and Crows ($1,115)
Juno Award-winning group performing at five international music festivals across Canada and the U.S.

Pugs and Crows ($5,000)
Support for Pugs and Crows to attend the jazzahead! conference in Bremen, Germany, which is “a meeting place for the international jazz scene.” In 2015 the conference had 929 exhibiting companies from 55 different countries.

Red Chamber ($1,054)
Concert/lecture tour to higher educational institutions and prestigious music series in Oregon and California.

Theatre Replacement ($16,500)
Presenting “Town Criers” at four festivals in Canada, Iceland and Ireland. 

“Presenting made-in-BC art on the world stage helps to increase international exposure of our creative sector," said Minister Peter Fassbender. "These artistic ambassadors raise our province’s global profile as a great place to live, work, play and invest, strengthening BC’s creative economy. BC’s artists make us proud at home and abroad. Congratulations to all of the recipients.”

More information on support BC's international presence will be available in coming months, once a review of the pilot project is completed.