Province of BC Announces New Recovery Support for Arts + Culture Sector

Image: Flickr.com.

More than $12.4 million in one-time funding to the BC Arts Council will support a strong recovery for B.C. artists and organizations as the Province continues to build back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know the hardships and severe impacts artists and creative people have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “This additional funding responds to a call to action to empower people to overcome challenges brought on by the pandemic. We know that this funding is crucial for B.C. artists and cultural organizations to begin their road to economic recovery and to rebuild a thriving and dynamic sector that supports our communities’ economic and social well-being throughout B.C.”

From this funding, the BC Arts Council will distribute $7.9 million in resilience supplements to more than 300 organizations currently receiving operating assistance. The average grant amount is $25,000.

Additionally, BC Arts Council has allocated $4.5 million to top up the Arts Impact Grant program, which closed its intake in January 2022. The Arts Impact Grant program enables applicants to prioritize activities that provide the greatest and most meaningful impact to their organization, practice or community. The next intake of this program is anticipated for winter 2023.

“I am proud of the actions our government has taken in making available this substantial investment in funding for the arts and culture sector,” said Bob D’Eith, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film. “This funding is vital in setting B.C. up for recovery and meets the needs of the sector to increase flexibility in grant funding criteria that better reflects the diversity of the arts sector, which is a central part of the Arts Impact Grant program.”