BC Liberals to Cut Arts Funding by 50% in Upcoming Budget

(lifted from Music BC's Website: www.musicbc.org)

"The BC Government plans to cut funding to Arts and Culture by up to 50% on September 1, 2009. This may mean 100% cuts to some organizations like Music BC.

The present funding freeze and cuts will have a direct impact on Music BC:

* MITAP $100,000 travel assistance program

* WCMAs Provincial partnership support $40,000

* Next year’s Music BC operating funds of $45,000+ are in jeopardy

There are two ways we are asking for your support:

1.If you are a performer - On Saturday August 29th, as a show of solidarity, we are asking all artists to perform 50% of a piece, and tell the audience why you stopped.

2.You can also send a letter, and keep sending letters, talking about the impact of proposed funding cuts on your community by writing to pertinent elected officials. Office addresses on each elected official’s web pages (emails below). Make sure these arrive by August 26th at the latest to have an impact on this decision.

Arts - Minister Kevin Krueger - Kevin.kruegermla@leg.bc.ca
Premier Gordon Campbell - premier@gov.bc.ca
Minister of Finance Colin Hansen colin.hansen.mla@leg.bc.ca

We ask your support in taking the message to your local MLA - if at all possible, in a face-to-face meeting. Clearly these funding issues affect many arts organizations in the province. To get more information on your local MLA, you can go to http://www.leg.bc.ca/MLA."


More at: http://www.musicbc.org/?p=1342






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What can we do?
Many around the province, especially in Vancouver and Victoria, have rallied to show their opinion of distrust with the Campbell Liberals, protesting the proposed, and insulting cuts to arts and culture.

Check out this video of an artist protesting in the above manner

http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/bc/ondemand/video/bc-090831-cj-budget-protest-wanting-qu-RAW.wmv


The result:
Sept 1st: Government reveals budget with cuts to arts, culture, medicine, seniors, education, and more.

BUT
After careful consideration, and threats of legal action by those promised 3-year contracts with government gaming grants, the Liberals have reversed the decision to revoke those 3-year agreements.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/government+restores+million+multi+year+gaming+grants+after+lawsuit+threat/1955863/story.html