artsVest expands in BC

VICTORIA – The B.C. government is investing $300,000 over two years in artsVest, a non-profit program helping small and mid-sized arts organizations help themselves through effective private sector fundraising, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes said today.

Organized by Toronto-based Business for the Arts (BftA), Canada’s only national association of business leaders in support of the arts, artsVest provides training workshops and incentive funds. Workshops teach relationship-building and fundraising with the private sector. Incentive funds match money raised by participating arts groups.

In 2012, BftA expanded artsVest across Canada, including a Vancouver launch last June, supported by $150,000 from the B.C. government and $200,000 from the Government of Canada. ArtsVest Vancouver proved very successful, with 48 arts and culture organizations sharing $275,000 in matching incentive grants.

This year, artsVest BC is expanding operations through workshops in Campbell River (June 1), Cranbrook (June 9), Greater Victoria (June 11), Kelowna (June 13) and Castlegar (June 22). Future workshops will also be delivered for First Nations arts and cultural groups on Vancouver Island, the Okanagan and in the Columbia Valley through the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, a First Nations-run B.C. Crown Corporation.

ArtsVest BC partners contribute to incentive funds and help cover program costs. In addition to B.C. government support, the program is receiving:

·         $500,000 from the Government of Canada over the next two fiscal years.

·         $50,000 from the City of Kelowna.

·         $50,000 from TELUS.

·         $30,000 from the Columbia Basin Trust.

·         $20,000 from the Capital Regional District.
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