BC Arts Budget Cut by 40%: Culture Minister Says Public is ‘Unconcerned’
POSTED BY admin | July 14th, 2009
Plank Magazine has published a report based on an Alliance for Arts and Culture press release noting that the government plans to reduce funding for the Arts Council by 40% over the next two years.
“The impact to the province will be devastating,” said Amir Ali Alibhai, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Arts & Culture. “The BC Arts Council supports a sector that employs 80,000 people and generates $5.2-billion annually. It is bigger than the forestry and fishing industries combined. At a time when the government is doing everything they can to create and retain jobs, why are they implementing measures that will trigger layoffs and cause organizations to reduce programming?
More amazing is new Culture and Tourism Minister, Kevin Krueger‘s thoughts on the matter, “I am not hearing complaints at all from the arts and cultural community,” he said. “I think people are pretty happy with what we’ve done.”
If you’re interested in letting Kevin Krueger or your local MLA know what you think about local arts funding cuts here’s a few resources to help you.
You can check out Kevin Krueger’s website here. You can email Kevin here -> kevin.krueger.mla@leg.bc.ca. And you can look up the contact details for your local MLA here.
Please send a message to Mr Krueger and let your voice be heard.
i just emailed him… so he’s heard at least one complaint.
I’ve just emailed him….so he’s heard at least two now!
What I cannot understand is its one thing to cut the budget, but what about re-allocating the funds to more revenue producing means? Tourism is down, events are down, for example an event like BC Fashion Week why not put the money into an organizaiton like that to put Vancouver on the map and a destination to really enjoy and an event to support the community, culture, and art?
Excellent questions, James. Thanks for your support. I feel the same way and I hope that the politicians do, too. Sometimes what needs to happen is that our elected officials need to hear the message loud and clear from the people whose lives they are affecting with these decisions. That’s why it’s awesome that you sent a letter. Let the Minister and your MLA know how you feel. Let them know that you’re going to hold them accountable to improving BC’s culture and tourism by investing in the talented people of this province.
But everyone who is passionate about it has to let their voice be heard. Please encourage your friends and tourism/culture lovers to send a letter.
Thanks!
Where can I get more information about the negotiations and networking that are happening in the Arts community concerning the holding back of Gaming and BC Arts Council Funds?