Amid criticism over cuts to arts funding, the B.C. government is giving the provincial arts council a $7-million bump. The British Columbia Arts Council, still shaken by the recent resignation of chair Jane Danzo, will receive the money to distribute to artists and arts groups this year.
The funding was previously announced as part of the 2010 Sports and Arts Legacy - and therefore is not new money for the arts - but it was unclear before Wednesday how that money was going to be distributed. The remaining $3-million of the $10-million Legacy Fund for this year will go toward Spirit Festivals, which will mark the Olympic anniversary in February.
Amir Ali Alibhai, executive director of the Alliance for Arts and Culture, called the announcement a step in the right direction. “In the short term, I think there will be a number of groups breathing a sigh of relief, because it means they’ll be getting their operating grants back,” he said.
With only $7.9-million allotted for distribution to arts groups in the March budget, the BCAC was forced to make some difficult decisions. Some arts groups, including the Victoria Symphony and The Cultch in Vancouver, were reporting staggering cuts to their operating grants.
It was a process Danzo called “devastating” in an interview after her resignation in August. Danzo was also critical of the decision to put $10-million into the arts legacy fund, instead of giving that money to the BCAC to distribute.
But it’s still unclear whether there will be Olympic-related criteria for groups applying for the $7-million in additional BCAC funding. NDP culture critic Spencer Chandra Herbert expressed concerns that the funding may still be tied to some commitment to celebrate the Olympic legacy, because of a form letter previously sent to arts groups offering funding tied to the Legacy Fund.
“The devil will be in the details,” Alibhai agreed.
In her letter of resignation, Danzo also expressed strong concerns about the lack of an arms-length relationship between the BCAC and the government, saying the current setup makes it difficult for the council to advocate for increased arts funding, which is part of its mandate.
Danzo’s concern about independence was addressed in Wednesday’s announcement. “The government respects and values a strong independent council and is committed to ensuring this independence is maintained and enjoys the confidence of the arts community,” the news release read. However, no structural changes were announced.
Alibhai says there’s reason to believe Danzo’s resignation may have led to Wednesday’s announcement by the government. “They were embarrassed,” he said. “Nationally and internationally.”
