Jane Danzo: B.C. Arts Council continues to operate according to normal procedures
By Jane Danzo
There has been a lot of misinformation about the B.C. Arts Council circulating in the media lately, and I would like to take this opportunity to offer some clarification.
As the chair of the B.C. Arts Council, I can report that the council continues to operate according to normal procedures, providing financial and other support for artists and arts organizations across the province.
Its important to keep in mind that the council is an independent agency of the province of British Columbia, created in 1995 by the Arts Council Act and that the council is usually funded through an annual legislative appropriation.
These are difficult times for B.C.'s arts and cultural community. Throughout the global economic turmoil, however, the province has demonstrated a commitment to the council and its clients. In March 2009, the province provided $7 million in supplementary funding to provide stability during the economic downturn. The council distributed this funding to 247 operating clients throughout B.C. to help cover anticipated budget constraints in the current fiscal.
Last month, the province decided the budget for council programs, in 2009-10, will be provided through the Community Gaming Grants program. As a result, the current Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts budget does not include an appropriation for grants distributed by the council, a point which has created some confusion.
Regardless of where the provincial funding comes from, the council is operating as usual, with a budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year of approximately $11 million. As always, all of the council's decisions regarding grants will be based on the independent peer review process.
The arts council does recognize that due to the reduction of direct access support from gaming, many artists and arts organizations face difficult decisions. The council will continue to consult with the arts community, staff, and the province to explore all avenues to augment the grants budget.
For more details and updated information, please visit the council's Web site.
Jane Danzo is the chair of the B.C. Arts Council.
Comments
1 Comments
Spencer Herbert
Sep 30, 2009 at 9:43am
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank Ms. Danzo for her comments, but also say that I am disappointed in what she has chosen to share with us. I would have hoped the chair of an 'independent agency' that is supposed to stand up for arts and culture in BC would have used less government spin, and provided more straight up facts. She is right - it is difficult times for artists. Why? Because of a government who has decided to take an axe to arts and culture. There are no two ways around it.
I am not sure what she is referring to when she speaks of misinformation about the BC Arts Council being reported. This seems to be a similar talking point to the one Arts and Culture Minister Kevin Krueger is using when he sends letters out to artists, and arts lovers assuring them that the rumours are false and the BC Arts Council still exists today, so no one need worry. It's a straw man argument, which conveniently ignores the real truth.
According to the BC Liberal budget the facts show that there will be zero dollars for investment in 2010/2011 from the BC Arts Council because of the BC Liberal's 90% cuts next year. Ms. Danzo, and the staff of the BC Arts Council confirmed this at a public meeting two weeks ago, but the Chair seems to have neglected to mention in it in her editorial. A rather important point to make I would think, for an organization fighting for its survival.
Yes technically Ms. Danzo, and Minister Krueger are correct it still exists, but having zero funds to invest in arts and culture, and only being able to keep the lights on next year isn't really much of an arts council I'd argue.
She also writes that the government has shown its committment to the arts council by providing 'supplementary funding'. This is also spin. The government cut the funding, and then replaced it in February right before the election. This was not supplementary funding. It was giving back what the government took. This is not a committment, this is a charade.
Ms. Danzo writes that regardless of where the funding for the arts council is coming from its there, so basically we should all be happy. It does matter where the funding comes from. The re-direction of provincial gaming money to the arts council this year has made it so hundreds of arts and culture organizations who used to receive gaming money are now getting nothing. This matters. Nearly 50% of all gaming money that went to arts, culture, and heritage organizations has been cut. Next year based on what the BC Liberal's have stated that figure may very well climb to 100%.
I hope Ms. Danzo will stand up for BC arts and culture in a stronger way, and with more facts than government spin in the future. The arts and culture community have shown me they are willing to stand up and fight for the soul, and economic well being of our province. I would hope the Chair of the BC Arts Council would do so as well.
Spencer Herbert
Official Opposition Critic for Tourism, Culture, and the Arts
MLA
Vancouver West End