A successful program aimed at promoting literacy and celebrating books, reading and writing has been given a financial boost after a BC150 Community Arts Grant was awarded last week.
Celebration of Authors, Books and Children (CABC), a joint initiative of the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts, the Sechelt Public Library, the Sunshine Coast Arts Council and School District No. 46, has just wrapped up its first year of activities on the Sunshine Coast.
Last week, the provincial government awarded the Festival of the Written Arts a $2,000 grant, which, according to festival producer Jane Davidson, allows the group to start planning for the fall.
"The CABC events have been just awesome," said Davidson. "We brought the program to more than 1,100 students and featured eight writers. This money allows us to plan for the fall with money in the bank, which is great."
CABC's goal is to promote literacy by bringing writers and students together to celebrate books, reading and writing. Launched in Novem-ber 2007, participating writers included Linda Bailey, Ellen Schwartz, Chris Humphreys, Richard Van Camp, Carrie Mac and Sunshine Coast writers Donna Joe, Bertha Clarke and Chieri Uegaki. CABC wrapped up at the end of May with a visit from renowned Canadian children's writer and illustrator Barbara Reid who delighted and inspired more than 600 primary students from eight elementary schools and participated in a public event at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre. CABC also brought the CANSCAIP Collection, a travelling exhibition of original children's book illustrations, to the Arts Centre in March-April. CANSCAIP is the Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers.
"The response from students, teachers, parents and the writers has been overwhelmingly positive," added Davidson. "CABC represents the first time the partner organizations have worked together to develop and deliver programming. The CABC organizing committee is thrilled with the success of the collaboration and the first year of activities."
