<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div lang="EN-CA" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class="m_8341699354215765795WordSection1"><p style="margin-top:0cm;background:white"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949">Dear Arts and Culture Colleagues –<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0cm;background:white"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949">We are pleased to announce the launch of the Arts Infrastructure Program.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949">The $2 million program will help with the development and enhancement of spaces that support the work of B.C.’s arts and cultural practitioners.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949">The new program is a recognition of the vital role that arts and cultural spaces play in communities across the province, many of which require crucial building upgrades or new equipment.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949">Eligible organizations can apply for two categories of funding:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<strong><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949">Capital Improvements</span></strong><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949"><br>
</span></b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949">Building-based projects involving the purchase, construction, renovation, or expansion of an arts and/or cultural facility. Funding is available up to $75,000.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<strong><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949">Specialized Equipment Acquisition</span></strong><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949"><br>
</span></b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949">Projects focused solely on the purchase of specialized equipment for long-term use and associated installation expenses. Funding is available up to $40,000.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949">The deadline for the program is October 19. You can find guidelines and how to apply on our <a href="https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/program/arts-infrastructure-program/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#a22d15">program
page</span></a>.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0cm;background:white"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949">Please share with your networks.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0cm;background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#657786;background:white">Twitter - @BCArtsCouncil</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p style="margin-top:0cm;background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#657786;background:white">Facebook - @BritishColumbiaArtsCouncil</span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0cm;background:white"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020TAC0045-001532" target="_blank">https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020TAC0045-001532</a></span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#494949"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:#1f497d">Allison Bottomley
</span></b><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#1f497d">(she/her/hers)</span></b><b><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Senior Director, BC Arts Council Secretariat and Strategic Engagement<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">778 698-3529 (direct) | 250 356-1718 (reception)<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:#c55a11">COVID-19:
</span></b><span style="color:#c55a11">We are committed to supporting B.C.’s artists and cultural organizations through this difficult time. This includes updating our policies and programs as necessary to match the challenges the
sector is now facing. The most up-to-date information will always be posted on our dedicated
<a href="https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/funding/covid-19-updates-and-faq/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#c55a11">COVID 19 FAQ page</span></a> and individual program pages. Updates will also be announced on our
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BritishColumbiaArtsCouncil/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#c55a11">Facebook</span></a>, and
<a href="https://twitter.com/BCArtsCouncil" target="_blank"><span style="color:#c55a11">Twitter</span></a> accounts.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">1st Floor 800 Johnson Street
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">PO Box 9819 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC V8W 9W3<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Reach us toll-free through Enquiry BC: 1-800-663-7867<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Please consider the environment before printing this email.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt">The BC Arts Council acknowledges that it carries out its work on the land of Indigenous nations throughout British Columbia. We are grateful for the continuing relationships with
Indigenous people in B.C. that develop through our work together. We acknowledge and raise our hands to the Lkwungen people, known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, on whose ancestral lands we operate our main offices.
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