Alert Bay's U'mista Cultural Society will receive more than $81,000 from the latest round of BC Arts Council grants, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett announced Monday.
The funding is part of $16.8 million provided by the B.C. government to the BC Arts Council for fiscal year 2012-13. Approved grants will provide essential operating support for local museums and art galleries, as well as media arts organizations in many British Columbia communities. Council enlists input from B.C.'s arts community to
evaluate grant applications through an independent peer review process.
The U'Mista Cultural Society will receive $54,050 for operations at its museum, the U'Mista Cultural Centre, and an additional $27,500 for special projects, capacity and sustainability.
"I'm very proud of the BC Arts Council's strong commitment to deliver effective resources in a fair and timely manner on behalf of the B.C. government to help the province's talented artists and dynamic cultural organizations," said Stan Hamilton, BC Arts Council chair. "I commend council's board, staff and supporters for working together with the arts community to ensure that arts and
culture continue to develop and thrive in British Columbia."
B.C. government funding for the BC Arts Council in 2013-14 will reach a record high $24 million, including support for BC Creative Futures, a strategy to help British Columbia's creative industries continue to grow.
Established in 1995, the BC Arts Council serves as the B.C. government's key development and funding agency for the arts. Council consults with the arts and culture community to develop
policies, programs and strategic priorities for the sector. Last year, council approved more than 1,000 grants in more than 200 communities in every region of the province.