The B.C. Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development has allocated the remainder of the B.C. Spirit Festivals money to the B.C. Arts Council and the Assembly of B.C. Arts Councils.

In a news release today, Minister Stephanie Cadieux announced that of the $1.15 million left over in the $3-million program funding, $750,000 will go to the B.C. Arts Council, and $400,000 to the Assembly of B.C. Arts Councils.

Initially launched in July by former Arts Minister Kevin Krueger, the program was meant to fund festivals in February 2011 that would “renew the pride and excitement British Columbians experienced during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” and be administered by the Assembly of B.C. Arts Councils In November, $1,077,224 was distributed to local arts councils, First Nations groups, and arts associations.

It was later revealed that $525,000 had been used to provide support to other events, including the Celebration of Light, Klahowya Village in Stanley Park, Art in the Parks, the Emily Carr statue celebration in Victoria, Morfee Mountain Music Fest, and a “miners walk” in Fernie.

The $750,000 recently handed over to the B.C. Arts Council will go towards providing an additional granting program for community and professional arts festivals in B.C. throughout 2011. The Assembly of B.C. Arts Councils will use the funds to support new or existing festivals, exhibitions, and performances in Vancouver and Victoria in February, with $300,00 allocated for Vancouver and $100,000 for Victoria.

“Arts and culture played a huge role in the success of the 2010 Games and inspired pride in all British Columbians,” Cadieux said in the news release. “The legacy lives on. We also want to ensure this funding reaches as many individual artists and arts groups as possible throughout the year. Watch for new and expanded festivals, exhibitions and performances of all kinds around our province.”

In the news release, Stan Hamilton, chair of the B.C. Arts Council, said the funds would assist the agency “in achieving its strategic goals and priorities. The funding supports council’s mission of engaging all British Columbians in a healthy arts and cultural community recognized for its excellence.”

Added Junko Sakamoto, executive director of the Assembly of B.C. Arts Councils: “This funding gives the assembly a great opportunity to promote and advance community engagement in the arts.”