BC Government Retracts Arts Funding Cuts

Arts Groups Get $12 Million Above Promised 20

On Monday August 31, 2009, arts communities, networks and organizations around the province were told that they would be short $20 million in promised funding from the BC government.

Like the Janus mask, tragedy turned to comedy, when the government reversed its decision two days later with a generous re-awarding of the original amount plus an additional $12 million.

Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman said Wednesday that he read over a document pertaining to funding agreements Tuesday night and concluded that, "if you read the letter, and if you're a lay person in a non-profit group in B.C., you think you've got three-year funding and I think that was a valid argument." (Vancouver Sun 02/09/09). Apparently, there will be no cuts due to a technicality.

The Alliance for Arts and Culture website, previously on high alert, now issues a cautious "sigh of relief" half expecting some new twist in a plot that has come to a surprisingly sudden and happy--or at least happier--end.

On Wednesday the Sun also reported "B.C. to run record-breaking, $2.8-billion deficit this year". The argument could be made that by investing in culture a society strengthens its community of citizens at large, not only the networks connecting artists, associations and industries that produce literature, theatre, music and a myriad of other forms of expression and imagination. Art's creative force can guide citizenry and politicians attempting to resolve economic issues present and future.

As Frank Zappa says, "Art is making something out of nothing and selling it," a skill that never goes out of fashion.