The Vancouver International Film Festival, Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, and Arts Club are among the long-running West Coast arts groups that will benefit from nearly $3 million in funding officially announced today by the federal government.

At a press conference at the VIFF Centre, Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan (Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) noted 14 groups projects in total will be bolstered by the funding.

The $2.9 million allocated through the Tourism Relief Fund will provide jobs, with an emphasis on hiring women, Indigenous people, youth, and visible minorities.

Over $155,000 has been earmarked for the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival, with the money going towards the purchase of new boats. Coastal Jazz and Blues, which had to scale back its long-running Vancouver International Jazz Festival thanks to pandemic losses and the loss of its corporate sponsor TD, will receive $250,000. And the Arts Club will get $99,999 to help renovate its Granville Island Stage.

The Vancouver International Film Festival, among the many arts groups hit hard by the pandemic, receives $500,000, and the Little Mountain Gallery Community Arts Performance Association, which is currently in the process of setting up a new space in Gastown, will have $163,807 to put towards the project.

Here’s a full list of the projects that will benefit from the funding:

Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society 

$156,028

Funding will go towards purchasing 18 dragon boats for the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival. 

Destination BC Corp. 

$836,000

Funding will help local communities and businesses develop strategic tourism plans to attract more visitors to B.C. The project will deliver workshops, online resources and toolkits to support the creation of new and unique tourism experiences throughout the province.

FlyOver Canada

$99,999

Funding will go towards producing an immersive film experience featuring the Canadian Rockies. 

Gastown Business Improvement Society 

$50,000

Funding will go towards establishing more welcoming outdoor spaces for visitors to Gastown, including the installation of lighting, furniture, and an interactive art display.

Go2 Productions Inc.

$99,999

Funding will help expand an augmented reality exhibit in downtown Vancouver. 

Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society 

$500,000

Funding will help deliver the annual Vancouver International Film Festival, which attracts visitors during the city’s shoulder season and promotes B.C.’s film and television industry. The event includes film screenings, conferences, live performances, and free outdoor programming. 

Latincouver Cultural and Business Society 

$355,000

Funding will help expand Latin American Heritage Month celebrations in Vancouver by hosting public events featuring live music, dance, literature, art, food, and workshops. 

Little Mountain Gallery Community Arts Performance Association 

$163,807

Funding will go towards developing a comedy arts venue in Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood. 

Punjabi Market Collective Society

$100,000

Funding will support the revitalization of Vancouver’s historic Punjabi Market neighbourhood by creating a tourism development plan and establishing two local cultural events.

The Arts Club of Vancouver Theatre Society

$99,999

Funding will support renovating and relaunching the Granville Island Stage in Vancouver. Project work includes enhancing the visitor experience and refurbishing the lobby and lounge. 

The Coastal Jazz and Blues Society 

$250,000

Funding will help revitalize the Vancouver International Jazz Festival following a hiatus during the pandemic. Work will include event planning and setup and securing artists. 

Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia 

$37,500

Funding will support the development of presentation materials and videos for destination management organizations to prepare them for success in the tourism industry. 

Vancouver Fringe Theatre Society 

$100,000

Funding will help revitalize the Vancouver Fringe Festival on Granville Island, which attracts visitors during Vancouver’s shoulder season. The Festival features a wide variety of performances from theatre to dance to spoken word. 

Vancouver Native Housing Society

$100,000

Funding will be used to revitalize Skwachàys Lodge in Vancouver.