Culture

BC arts supporters to protest against massive cuts

by mtippett | September 1, 2009 at 08:37 am

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Supporters of the arts in British Columbia are in shock following massive cuts. Many of the programs supported by the Province have already been promised money and are now having to assume the debt arising from these shortfalls. This has the potential to destroy the entire sector and local arts groups are mobilizing to oppose these policies. Here is what their facebook group says:

The press conference at Spencer Herbert's office drew a big, articulate, energetic crowd, and also mass media attention. The next event we know of is a meeting organized by the Alliance for Arts and Culture at the Vancouver Museum, 1pm on Wednesday, September 2.

Quote

Every single day brings new evidence of this Premier's broken promises. On Friday afternoon the government sent letters to arts groups across B.C. informing them that their direct access grants had been cancelled — cancelled abruptly in spite of written and signed contracts, in spite of the minister's consistent reassurance that the money would be coming, cancelled after the groups had already planned programs and, in some cases, after the events had already taken place.

Carol James

The silly (and sadly widespread) belief among the general public is that funding for the arts costs the taxpayer and that artists spend their days living an indulgent, luxurious lifestyle.

Both of these beliefs are completely wrong. Money that goes to the arts almost always generates a positive return on investment. And if you think artists spend their time sipping champagne in formal wear I urge you go to down to one of the local arts run centers, talk to the kids getting out of Emily Carr or pay a visit to the Vancouver Children's Festival.

People in the arts make their living through their creativity and in my experience they apply this creative energy to making the most of their money. Pulling investments out of the arts is a mistake which will cost artists in the short run and all of us in the long run.

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eastvanray

at 20:21 on September 1st, 2009

So you would cut what? education, healthcare, social services? We can't pretend that our economy can simply go on and do all the great things we want to do when government revenues have slipped by billions. Some things have to be cut and many cut DEEP. I am not in favour of borrowing from our future to fund arts.