A dozen Sunshine Coast artists and organizations are set to receive a total of $300,500 in funding to help recover from the impact of the pandemic.
On April 1, MLA Nicholas Simons announced the funding for organizations, book publishers, events and galleries. More than 300 organizations are benefiting from $7.9 million the BC Arts Council is distributing in resilience supplements. The BC Arts Council has also topped up the Arts Impact Grant program with $4.5 million.
“One of the most attractive things about the Sunshine Coast is our arts and culture scene which is so entrenched in our communities,” Simons said in a press release. “We have amazing artists and renowned arts organizations up and down the Coast, and now that we're having in-person events it's going to be fun to get out to enjoy the shows and festivals that people have worked so hard to put together.”
Among the COVID-19 Resilience recipients, $25,600 is slated for Caitlin Press, $16,500 for Nightwood Editions,and $32,000 for Harbour Publishing. The Sunshine Coast Arts Council will receive $24,000, PRISMA will get $17,600, and $24,000 is set for the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts.
The Arts Impact Grant program will benefit six Sunshine Coast-based recipients to prioritize activities that will provide the greatest and most meaningful impact to their organization, practice or community. The Sunshine Coast Arts Council will receive $20,000, the Malaspine Arts Society $20,800, and $30,000 for the Sunshine Coast Dance Society. Deer Crossing the Art Farm, the Gibsons Public Art Gallery and qathet Art Council will each see $30,000 from the grant.
“We know the hardships and severe impacts artists and creative people have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, said in a press release. “This additional funding responds to a call to action to empower people to overcome challenges brought on by the pandemic. We know that this funding is crucial for B.C. artists and cultural organizations to begin their road to economic recovery and to rebuild a thriving and dynamic sector that supports our communities’ economic and social well-being throughout B.C.”
