Five BC Arts Orgs Receive International Presence Funding From Provincial Government

Five arts organizations are receiving a combined $250,000 through the Government of British Columbia’s International Presence funding in 2016-17.

These grants will provide the opportunity for more than 70 BC artists and arts organizations to connect with more than 60 international presenters and curators from over 20 countries. This investment aims to increase international awareness of and exposure to BC artists, culture, creativity and innovation.

Recipients include:

Fascinator Management ($30,000)

Fascinator Management will represent seven BC arts organizations at 12 international industry events in the U.S., Europe and India over the next two years.

Made in BC Dance on Tour ($50,000)

A collaborative market development initiative for BC’s contemporary dance sector. Made in BC, Eponymous Management and Ballet BC will travel together to international trade shows and other market gatherings, providing a united public face for BC dance.

PuSh International Performing Arts Festival ($60,000)

PuSh will bring 30 international curators to participate in the PuSh Assembly and to see BC works. This international networking event provides opportunities for BC artists to interact and build relationships with the incoming presenters.

Theatre Replacement Society ($50,000)

For 2017 and 2018, Theatre Replacement and Company 605 will produce PushOFF, a two-day curated platform of touring works and works in development timed with the PuSh Festival in Vancouver.

Vancouver Art Gallery Association ($60,000)

Vancouver Special: Ambivalent Pleasures will be the first iteration of a new triennial series examining contemporary art practices in Vancouver. The project will introduce 40 emerging and mid-career Vancouver artists to a global network of 33 curators, programmers and critics.

This round of funding aims to develop relationships between BC’s arts and culture sector and its international counterparts through projects that expose participants to new markets and promotional opportunities; that bring international presenters and curators to the province to increase their exposure to BC artists; and that nurture long-term relationships that result in cultural and artistic exchange or unique collaborative opportunities.

“BC’s outstanding artists and arts organizations deserve a spotlight on the international stage," says Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. "By investing in key projects, we are helping artists throughout B.C. build global relationships, thereby strengthening our creative economy.”