The Community Arts Council of Prince George & District is proud to include as members a significant number of independent artists and cultural workers.
In reviewing the provincial budget, it is good to see that folks who have evolved their creative practices into small businesses may benefit from some of the tax relief initiatives announced on Feb. 20, such as the reduction and phasing out of MSP premiums and PST on electricity, and a reduction in the small business corporate income tax rate.
Moreover, we have been very pleased with some of the new programs providing investment into the music sector recently announced by Shirley Bond, minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, such as $1.5 million for the Careers of B.C. Artists program, designed to stimulate economic growth within the music industry.
This new funding will be a strong complement to the
$15 million announced last year for the B.C. Music Fund.
The provincial budget also estimated $318 million in expenses for the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
This number includes $10 million earmarked for infrastructure projects in B.C. communities with populations of less than 100,000, which also includes a $5 million boost to Community Gaming Grants for capital projects over $20,000.
But one significant area of concern is that the recent budget made no mention of increases to the B.C. Arts Council.
Although British Columbia is Canada's economic leader provincially, government investment in the B.C. Arts Council on a per capita basis currently ranks seventh in the country compared to other provinces, despite a two billion dollar surplus, the highest provincial GDP in the country and the fact the arts and culture sector employs over 81,000 workers across the province.
This also comes after three years of recommendations by the Standing Committee on Finance for increases to the B.C. Arts Council, all seemingly overlooked.
The Alliance for Arts and Culture, which represents artistic disciplines and artists and cultural worker throughout B.C., is on record for recommending an immediate investment of
$8.1 million in the B.C. Arts Council.
Finance Minister Mike de Jong described his budget as "promoting a competitive, job-creating economy." Knowing that artists and cultural workers tend to earn far less than most other skilled workers, it doesn't take much imagination to see how further investments to the B.C. Arts Council would indeed provide relatively significant returns on the job creation front.
As a vital part of our economy, our artists and cultural organizations do so much to enrich the lives of British Columbians in virtually every community in the province.
Here in Prince George, we see these benefits all the time, through the wide range of events, performances, festivals and exhibits that help attract, and retain people to live in and visit our city.
Looking at the big picture, an addition of $8.1 million is such a relatively small amount that it begs to question whether the arts and culture sector is doing enough to make our needs known? This may actually come down to an issue of awareness.
Or is the stagnation of funding for the B.C. Arts Council simply a matter of it not being enough of a headline-grabber?
The comment we always hear is "the squeaky wheel gets the grease."
It is important that our arts and culture sector continue making sound economic arguments for sustainable support, and remind people of our contributions to local and provincial economies and the positive impact we have on quality of life for all.
