Celebrate or Demonstrate, February 21

On February 20, the provincial government will release its budget for the next fiscal year. The BC Alliance for Arts + Culture and SFU Woodward's request your presence at a meeting from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on February 21 at the Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema at SFU's Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 W. Hastings St.), to help us formulate a timely response to the provincial budget allocation for BC’s creative sector.

As you’re likely aware, the elected NDP government pledged to significantly increase their investment in arts and culture over the next four years in their election campaign, in their mandate letter to Minister Beare and in the budget recommendations put forward by the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services – which are listed below. 

We need to show our support for our sector regardless of the budget outcomes. If the news is positive, we will celebrate together and send a message of appreciation and gratitude to the government and the public. If the budget does not reflect an increased investment to our sector, we will need to strategize to demonstrate that we are an important part of the growing BC economy and provide valuable social and intrinsic benefits that make the lives of British Columbians better. 

So MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND BE THERE TO SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY! Register to attend this event here.

If you're outside the Lower Mainland, or are otherwise unable to attend this meeting in person, the BC Alliance is pleased to offer live online video access for this event. To join us digitally, select the livestream option on the registration form below, and keep an eye on your inbox for further details.

We are pleased to offer ASL interpretation for this event. Please indicate on the registration form whether you will need this service.

RECOMMENDATIONS 

The Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services recommends to the Legislative Assembly that the provincial government: 

• Double investment in the BC Arts Council over four years to ensure that funding for core operations and programming is provided across the province. 
• Increase funding to Creative BC in order to expand the BC Film Commission’s capacity, renew the BC Music fund, and provide programs to support BC’s domestic film, television, digital and other creative industries. 
• Increase funding to small museums, Indigenous cultural centres, and organizations in the heritage sector throughout the province in order to protect and conserve BC’s historical and cultural legacies.
• Create a capital arts infrastructure fund to provide cultural facilities and museums throughout the province, and to enable communities to leverage investment opportunities offered by federal and municipal governments, and private sector supporters.

This event is held in partnership with: