[BCMA MBEN] (Fwd) Arts Community Responds To Budget

[Jim Harding]

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From:	"Alliance for Arts and Culture" <communications at allianceforarts.com> 
Send reply to:	communications at allianceforarts.com
Date sent:	Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:36:28 +1100
Subject:	Arts Commujnity Responds To Budget


Budget Promises BC Will Remain Last In Arts Funding


"The BC government is making a long-term commitment to keep our 
province dead last in per-capita arts funding" said Alliance for Arts and 
Culture executive director Rob Gloor in response to today's budget 
announcement.


"BC trails every other province in per capita funding of the arts," said Mr. 
Gloor,  "and the current budget, which projects a multi-year freeze in arts 
funding, is a promise to remain last in Canada."


Budget details reveal frozen funding for arts and culture over the next three 
years, in spite of overall budget increases.


"With inflation, a frozen budget for the arts is equivalent to a multi-year 
decrease," continued Mr. Gloor. "This results in a gradual decline in the 
capacity of the arts and culture sector to serve the community."


One new tax credit appears to provide relief for families in the form of a $500 
credit for enrollment in children's arts programs.  However, Mr. Gloor points 
out, the actual maximum benefit is just five percent of that figure -- a mere 
$25 per child per year -- and does nothing to facilitate participation among 
lower income families.


"Overall, a disappointing budget for the arts, cultural and heritage sectors" 
concluded Mr. Gloor. After so much work by so many in the arts community 
in recent years to raise public and political awareness of the importance of a 
healthy cultural sector, we had hoped for better."


Media Contact: Kevin Dale McKeown
Director of Communications
[communications at allianceforarts.com]
604.681.3535 (215)
Alliance for Arts and Culture
100 - 938 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9
604.681.3535


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