ArtsBC

Weathering the Storm – Economic Impact Survey

Almost every charity has been impacted in one way or another by the economy. However, certain organizations – smaller charities, arts and culture and environmental non-profits – were the most negatively impacted by decreases in their revenue in 2009.

Arts and Culture organizations were the biggest group in the lower end operating budgets, with 44% running on budgets under $250,000. Another 36% had budgets between $250,000 to $1 million.

Environmental groups were the next group to operate with budgets on the lower end of the scale with 35% under $250,000, and 43% with budgets in the $250,000 to $1 million range.

Educational organizations, on the other hand, had the highest operating budgets. They made up nearly half (45%) of the organizations with budgets of $10 million or more.

Weathering the Storm – PDF
A survey of non-profits and charities in British Columbia
Vancouver Foundation
October 2009

Increasing our investment in arts and culture will demonstrate to the world that British Columbia is a culturally diverse and creative place to live.
The Province known as Supernatural British Columbia
could also become known as
Creative British Columbia.

Presentation to the British Columbia Select Standing Committee
on Finance and Government Services for the
2009 BC Provincial Budget
October 16, 2008

Presented by Roger Chilton, member of the Board of the Downtown Vancouver Association and the Community Arts Council of Vancouver, speaking on behalf of ArtsFuture BC

ArtsFutureBC speaks for the

Assembly of BC Arts Councils, the BC Museums Association, the BC Touring Council, Canadian Artists Representation of British Columbia, Citizens for the Arts, the Greater Vancouver Alliance for Arts and Culture, the ProArt Alliance of Greater Victoria, and the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres – the people who represent the Arts Future for British Columbia.

ArtsFutureBC represents the interests of the future of the arts and cultures of British Columbia. In so doing, it speaks on behalf of the interests of all British Columbians, and the interests of the Government of British Columbia.

What we know

We are in a new world economy, – a creative economy driven by ideas, innovation, and communication.

We are reminded every day that our future prosperity does not lie simply in our economic wealth.

Our future prosperity lies in our education, health, community development, cultural development, and social development. Our future depends on contributing to the quality of life for all people.

Our natural resources have made us prosperous in the past. Our creative resources could make us prosperous in the future.

We need to invest in our creative economy.

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Budget 2008: An Important Message from the Assembly

The arts and culture sector in British Columbia has reason to celebrate the February 19th provincial budget.

There are some targeted funds for existing and new cultural facilities, plus a commitment of a new endowment fund to provide arts and cultural funding in perpetuity. The income from this fund will be administered by the BC Arts Council.

So many of the commitments in this budget – to climate change, the economy, healthcare, education, housing – reflect the comments heard during budget consultations. But another area also received broad interest and support: culture and the arts. This is another strength we can build on in British Columbia.

As we prepare for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, as we build our New Relationship with First Nations, as we celebrate 150 years of history… a cultural revival is taking place in every region of the province.

- Finance Minister Carole Taylor

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A Presentation to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services

Arts Future BC recommends that the Government of British Columbia increase our investment in arts and culture by bringing the British Columbia Arts Council budget to $32 million.

Presented by the Assembly of BC Arts Councils, the BC Museums Association, the BC Touring Council, Canadian Artists Representation of British Columbia, Citizens for the Arts, the Greater Vancouver Alliance for Arts and Culture, the ProArt Alliance of Greater Victoria, and the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres – the people who represent the Arts Future for British Columbia.

The arts enhance education
The arts promote health and healing
The arts create connections and communities
The arts contribute to our economic strength
The arts stimulate discussion and creative thinking

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On April 11, 2006, an Arts and Culture Summit was held
at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver.

Arts and Culture: Building B.C.’s Creative Agenda, was hosted by Olga Ilich, the Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts and moderated by Max Wyman. The participants representing a diversity of interests talked about creativity, infrastructure, sustainability, community, public and political engagement, and the value of arts and culture.

The results of that conversation were reported by Max Wyman in Building From Strength.