B.C. NDP Leadership

Video: NDP leadership candidate Nicholas Simons talks arts policy, plays Beatles

by Jessica Werb on January 24th, 2011 at 4:03 PM
    1 of 1 2 of 1

      Last Thursday, NDP leadership hopeful Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River and the Sunshine Coast, came to the Straight’s offices for an interview about his arts policy, and to take part in an impromptu session of cello duets.

      His arts policy included the restoration of gambling grants to adult arts organizations, and honouring the government’s 1999 memorandum of agreement with the B.C. Association of Charitable Gaming that pledges one-third of gambling revenues to the charitable sector.

      Simons also expressed support for an arm’s-length B.C. Arts Council and said its budget should be restored to its 2008-2009 level of $19 million.

      As for his musical selections, Simons opted for Beatles favourite "When I’m Sixty-Four", and an aria by George Frederick Handel.

      Click here to report a typo.

      Jessica Werb

      @jwerb
      Jessica Werb is a staff writer with the Georgia Straight, covering the arts with the occasional foray into movies and health. When she's not stressing out over deadlines, she can be found noodling on her cello, surfing the internet, hanging out at the toddler gym with her young son, and feeling...Go to profile

      Comments

      3 Comments

      Big fan

      Jan 24, 2011 at 5:26pm

      Werb - you are a star!!!

      artsworker

      Jan 24, 2011 at 9:09pm

      k...i'm gonna vote for this guy...

      jessica....you rock that cello and are a hottie too!

      jansumi

      Jan 25, 2011 at 12:37am

      Seems like all the artists - musicians and others - in the community could pull together to create an amazing PR campaign for Simons - co-opt or overshadow the mainstream media completely. Yes?