[BCMA MBEN] Call to Action: Direct Access Funding
Jim Harding
JHarding@MuseumsAssn.bc.ca
Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:52:04 -0700
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Members & Subscribers;</span></font>
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The outcry regarding the "freeze" of Direct Access funding is rapidly growing
louder, and may soon be amplified by the pending reported Provincial cuts
to operating funding. This "double jeopardy" will be devastating to the
province's museums' & art galleries' operations and public programs.</span></font>
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The BCMA has been very active in consulting with our peer cultural &
heritage organizations also affected, and to try and obtain "official"
disclosure of funding policies.</span></font>
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We now need you to join with other arts & culture, sports and non-profit
sectors in a BC-wide letter-writing campaign to protest these cuts and to
clearly state the serious repercussions sure to the follow should the Ministry
continue with a freeze on Direct Access funding. </span></font>
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And although the number of letters to the Minister, the tone of the protest,
and their place of origin will be duly noted, this campaign is a prime
opportunity to clearly identify the institutions and far-reaching, diverse
programs under threat; and the amount & degree of funding at stake,
because it is doubtful the repercussions of such measures are fully
understood. </span></font>
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This is a graphic way to illustrate the impact of such tactics.</span></font>
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Our sector needs you to make this campaign your next priority:</span></font>
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<b>1. Write to the Minister responsible</b>:</span></font>
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The Honourable Rich Coleman, Minister,</span></font>
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Ministry of Housing and Social Development</span></font>
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PO Box 9058 Stn Prov Govt</span></font>
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Victoria, BC  V8W 9E2    Email:
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<a href="EIA.Minister@gov.bc.ca">
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EIA.Minister@gov.bc.ca
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<b>Please CC all of the following:</b></span></font>
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The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier</span></font>
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Room 156<br />
Parliament Buildings<br />
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4   Email: </span></font>
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premier@gov.bc.ca</span></font>
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The Honourable Kevin Krueger, Minister,</span></font>
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Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts</span></font>
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PO Box 9071 Stn Prov Govt</span></font>
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Victoria, BC  V8W 9E9    Email: </span></font>
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TSA.Minister@gov.bc.ca </span></font>
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Spencer Herbert, Official Opposition Arts & Culture Critic</span></font>
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MLA, Vancouver-West End</span></font>
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923 Denman Street,</span></font>
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Vancouver, BC  V6G 2L9  Email: </span></font>
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Spencer.Herbert.MLA@leg.bc.ca</span></font>
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<i><u>YOUR</u></i> MLA (See Legislative Assemby webpage for contact info:</span></font>
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<a href="http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm">
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<u>MLA Finder - Legislative Assembly</u>
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BC Museums Association</span></font>
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#204 - 26 Bastion Square</span></font>
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Victoria, BC  V8W 1H9   Email: </span></font>
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BCMA@museumsassn.bc.ca</span></font>
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<b>2. State your opposition to the freeze on Direct Access funding;</b></span></font>
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<b>3. List (point form) your operating and/or programs (by title) funded by
Direct Access & the amount of funding each program receives; </b></span></font>
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<b>4. How will an indefinite freeze (or elimination) of Direct Access
funding hurt your institution, staffing, volunteers, public exhibits &
programs, </b>(Do your Direct Access-funded programs also generate earned
revenue? Are you a multi-year Direct Access client?)</span></font>
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<b>5.</b> IFyour institution is also a client of annual operating funding assistance
from the BC Arts Council, and given the reported, pending Provincial cuts to
operating funding as well, <b>how will this freeze on Direct Access funding
compound your institution's challenges to operate & service the public</b>
<b>over the coming year?</b></span></font>
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<b>6. Insist on confirmation of the Minister's intent to "unfreeze" or
reinstate Direct Access funding & to make an official public
commitment as to when these funds will be forthcoming</b>;</span></font>
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<b>7. Post to the BCMA-L listserv a brief confirmation</b> when you have
mailed or emailed the Minister.</span></font>
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By articulating how such measures will hurt the sector, this campaign will be
supported by the specific, established operations & programs affected and
the degree of funding involved.</span></font>
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Please proceed quickly. The BCMA will post its own letter to the website for
members and is pursuing a meeting with the Minister, at the earliest possible
date.</span></font>
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Thank you for your continued participation and support. </span></font>
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Please keep posting any updates you receive from the BC Gaming Branch
regarding your Direct Access applications.</span></font>
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Thank you,</span></font>
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Jim</span></font>
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_______________________________</span></font>
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Jim Harding, ED</span></font>
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BC Museums Association</span></font>
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(250) 356-5694</span></font>
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