B.C. government letter now hints at how it will hand out other Legacy funds to arts groups
Arts groups are starting to receive letters from the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism saying some Legacy funding will be made available to the B.C. Arts Council's "annual operating clients". But to be eligible, their events must meet certain requirements and "reflect the vision of the Legacy", according to the letter.
The letter, signed by Minister of Arts, Culture and Tourism Kevin Krueger, says the move is being made because B.C.'s cultural community "has faced considerable uncertainty caused by the global economic recession".
Until now, it's been unclear whether established arts groups would be able to access any of the $10 million Legacy fund announced in the last budget.
Because the fund was announced at a time core arts funding and gaming funding had been cut by about 50 percent, the cultural community had been calling for the entire amount to go to the B.C. Arts Council to help make up for the amounts axed.
Earlier today, the ministry confirmed in a press release that $3 million of the fund would go to set up new province-wide B.C. Spirit Festivals run by local arts councils in February.
The new letter describes the Legacy values that eligible groups must demonstrate: "The vision for the Arts portion of the Legacy is to bring our artists, cultural organizations, creative industries, and communities together with the public in celebration of the unique and vibrant culture that reflects the spirit of British Columbia. British Columbians were thrilled to see this happen during the Cultural Olympiad, and we wish to continually renew, refresh, and invigorate this spirit."
Projects must also fall into one of the following categories: participation in B.C. Spirit Festivals or Signature Celebration events; engaging Artists in Residency; and/or featuring emerging British Columbian artists.
The letter asks groups to confirm their wish to "participate in Legacy activities" by September 30, with funds dispersed by October 31.
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Comments
Get down on your knees, artists, and kiss Big Daddy's ass.
The legacy fund was supposed to create permanent, stable and secure funding for the arts in BC -- at arm's length from government interference and safe from cutbacks. Instead, the Liberals cut all the other funding they used to have in place and are now reaching into the legacy fund to finance what used to be base funding projects.
They did the same thing when the Feds increased scholarships for Graduate Students at Universities -- they just cut their other funding by an equivalent amount.
The spirit festivals are a joke -- and Kreuger clearly does not understand what proper process is in the administration of government funding. This is not his private slush fund, and he is not qualified to judge how best to spend arts money.
Perhaps, when the Premiers’ have their annual meeting next week, Gordon Campbell can ask his colleagues Jean Charest, Darrell Dexter, Robert Ghiz, Shawn Graham, Dalton McGunity, Greg Selinger, Brad Wall and/or Danny Williams how their provinces have weathered the global economic recession while not making draconian and decimating cuts to the arts sector.
However, wishing that Gordon Campbell would have "culture" on his lips when he meets the other premiers is to dream a little dream. The arts and cultural sector is like a house-fly to Campbell - a minor annoyance that is best addressed with a rolled-up newspaper. ThhhWack! Although it makes perfect sense to any thinking person that the cultural sector should be on the annual Premiers' conference agenda, it's just not the stuff of "serious discussions" by these guys. There are no votes in art and culture, no powerful lobby, no reason to pay attention.
"What? You still here? Where's my rolled-up newspaper?"