“Art is a means for survival” Yoko Ono, 2001
Kim Cattrall speaks out against BC Arts cuts during acceptance speech at 2009 Canada's Walk of Fame
I am writing you because an issue that is of significance for me. As you may or may not know the BC Arts industry is being crippled by the BC Liberal’s government decision to decimate its funding over the next few years. Arts and Culture is what helps define and differentiate us as a community and is an expression of our values. To many Arts is a means of survival not only for those who produce it but also ones who are inspired by its spirituality and emotion. Grant funding supports many arts local events, festivals, film screenings and other creative industries, which we all enjoy, but also employs many in support industries, tourism operators, hotels, catering, transportation, equipment rental and supply. In addition to the social benefits to our communities; by the BC Governments own admission, every dollar that is invested in the arts returns $1.36 in return. Arts groups run very efficiently, work many hours of overtime and rely on hundreds of volunteer hours to make events happen, so anytime real cash dollars comes, the money is spent wisely.
In addition, if you have or know of children that are contemplating a creative career in British Columbia, the above cuts will likely affect opportunities to them within the next decade. It took many years for today’s successful events (Vancouver Fringe, Vancouver Film Festival, SWARM) to become what they are. We are essentially cutting off the next generation at its infancy.
While we understand that the global economy is facing challenges and the Arts Community is not immune, the cuts are beyond reasonable. Over the next two years these cuts amount to a 90% reduction. It is important to note that the Arts and Culture funding make up a mere 1/20th of 1% of the Provincial Government budget. Moreover, this Government has also broken its social contract over gaming funds as the expansion of gaming was justified in part to support sports, arts and other community programs. Now this commitment has essentially been eliminated and gaming revenue will go into General Government Revenue, where its distribution will be hidden.
The Minister responsible of Arts and Culture has avoided responding directly to how he can justify such a dramatic cut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3ZNlEjgZa8). The BC Liberals are also is trying frame that Arts funding is taking food out of the mouths of starving BC Children, stating “which child should starve…” (Rich Coleman, Question Period, September 1, 2009 http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/8-8.htm)
I would ask you to check out the website listed below to see what prominent BC Artists who are celebrated worldwide are stating on this issue, Sarah McLachlan, Kim Cattrall, Margaret Atwood and Douglas Copeland have all spoken directly on these cuts. I would also ask that you contact your local MLA, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Kevin Krueger on this issue. There are sample letters that you can cut, paste or use as a guideline.
http://www.stopbcartscuts.ca/
I would also urge that your local Municipal Governments pass a resolution calling for re-instatement of funds that support arts, education and other community funding as has the City of Vancouver did last month.
http://www.visionvancouver.ca/news/vancouver-city-council-school-board-protest-funding-cuts
If you are already a supporter of the arts and have acted on the above in your own way, please pass this email on to those who may not be aware of the arts cuts and what how this may impact them.
JP
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Art is a means for survival…
September 25, 2009 in Commentary | Tags: art, stopbcartscuts.ca | by J Peachy | Leave a comment
“Art is a means for survival” Yoko Ono, 2001
Kim Cattrall speaks out against BC Arts cuts during acceptance speech at 2009 Canada's Walk of Fame
I am writing you because an issue that is of significance for me. As you may or may not know the BC Arts industry is being crippled by the BC Liberal’s government decision to decimate its funding over the next few years. Arts and Culture is what helps define and differentiate us as a community and is an expression of our values. To many Arts is a means of survival not only for those who produce it but also ones who are inspired by its spirituality and emotion. Grant funding supports many arts local events, festivals, film screenings and other creative industries, which we all enjoy, but also employs many in support industries, tourism operators, hotels, catering, transportation, equipment rental and supply. In addition to the social benefits to our communities; by the BC Governments own admission, every dollar that is invested in the arts returns $1.36 in return. Arts groups run very efficiently, work many hours of overtime and rely on hundreds of volunteer hours to make events happen, so anytime real cash dollars comes, the money is spent wisely.
In addition, if you have or know of children that are contemplating a creative career in British Columbia, the above cuts will likely affect opportunities to them within the next decade. It took many years for today’s successful events (Vancouver Fringe, Vancouver Film Festival, SWARM) to become what they are. We are essentially cutting off the next generation at its infancy.
While we understand that the global economy is facing challenges and the Arts Community is not immune, the cuts are beyond reasonable. Over the next two years these cuts amount to a 90% reduction. It is important to note that the Arts and Culture funding make up a mere 1/20th of 1% of the Provincial Government budget. Moreover, this Government has also broken its social contract over gaming funds as the expansion of gaming was justified in part to support sports, arts and other community programs. Now this commitment has essentially been eliminated and gaming revenue will go into General Government Revenue, where its distribution will be hidden.
The Minister responsible of Arts and Culture has avoided responding directly to how he can justify such a dramatic cut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3ZNlEjgZa8). The BC Liberals are also is trying frame that Arts funding is taking food out of the mouths of starving BC Children, stating “which child should starve…” (Rich Coleman, Question Period, September 1, 2009 http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/8-8.htm)
I would ask you to check out the website listed below to see what prominent BC Artists who are celebrated worldwide are stating on this issue, Sarah McLachlan, Kim Cattrall, Margaret Atwood and Douglas Copeland have all spoken directly on these cuts. I would also ask that you contact your local MLA, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Kevin Krueger on this issue. There are sample letters that you can cut, paste or use as a guideline.
http://www.stopbcartscuts.ca/
I would also urge that your local Municipal Governments pass a resolution calling for re-instatement of funds that support arts, education and other community funding as has the City of Vancouver did last month.
http://www.visionvancouver.ca/news/vancouver-city-council-school-board-protest-funding-cuts
If you are already a supporter of the arts and have acted on the above in your own way, please pass this email on to those who may not be aware of the arts cuts and what how this may impact them.
JP
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