MLAs say strengthened recovery funding to help North Van artists and orgs

New Democrat MLAs Bowinn Ma and Susie Chant say strengthened support from the BC NDP government will help local artists and art organizations in North Vancouver recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

“Art and culture has played a profound role in helping societies make sense of and reflect upon even the darkest eras of human civilization,” said MLA Bowinn Ma for North Vancouver–Lonsdale. “I’m happy to know our government is there for the arts and culture sector as they recover from the effects of the pandemic.”

“The arts sector in North Vancouver is dynamic, and creative, bringing joy to many,” said MLA Susie Chant for North Vancouver–Seymour. “I’m pleased to know that this funding will support artists and cultural organizations that have been impacted by the pandemic.”

Over nine artists and organizations in North Vancouver will be benefitting from this recovery funding, including:

Dancers of Damelahamid
Erato Ensemble Society
Lamondance
North Vancouver Community Arts Council (North Van Arts)
Polygon Gallery
Presentation House Theatre
North Vancouver Museum and Archives
Redshift Music
Vancouver Mountain Film Festival

This funding to local artists and organizations comes from more than $12.4 million in one-time funding to the BC Arts Council. The BC Arts Council will distribute $7.9 million in resilience supplements to over 300 organizations currently receiving operating assistance.

Additionally, BC Arts Council will direct $4.5 million to top up the Arts Impact Grant program. Arts Impact Grants enables applicants to prioritize what activity or activities will provide the greatest and most meaningful impact to their organization, practice and/or community.

Funding is available to organizations and collectives with an arts and culture mandate and/or offering dedicated arts and culture programming, including non-profit organizations and Indigenous governments and community organizations.