Campbell River Arts Council faces budget uncertainty

“Passion, creativity, exploration”. This is the catch phrase of the Campbell River Arts Council. And as of Monday’s provincial budget update, this focus just got tougher to honour.

Ken Blackburn, Executive Director, said earlier this week that “…the arts and culture sector are going to be facing difficult, uncertain times in the next few years.  The cuts proposed demonstrate clearly that government does not understand the essential role that the arts play within community development, notably during downturns in an economy.” 

Like some other provincial non-profits, CRAC has a three year funding arrangemet with the province (under Bingo Affiliation) that brings in a modest $18,000 annually. Although it’s not a large amount, it allows CRAC to offer various programs in the community. The group is currently in the first year of this multi-year deal.

An application for an additional $5,000 has been submitted and although Ken expects to hear in the near future about its success, he’s “not hopeful that we will get it (the Direct Access funds)”.

“Cuts to Gaming are going to hurt many local organizations, but as of today (September 2) we have not received word on our application.  Future applications are due this month so there will be some delay in knowing shortfalls for the coming year.  However, the Arts Council has been preparing for difficult times and we will be seeking cost effective strategies in our programming and partnerships,” Blackburn stated.

He goes on to say, “the arts are a critical support system to a community, providing value-added economic benefits across a wide range of health, social and cultural challenges.  This support is absolutely indispensable during difficult financial times for families when social challenges tend to increase.  The arts can no longer be perceived as a community luxury, but are rather an economic driver for the emerging creative economy and a crucial community partner in tough times”.

Cutbacks now are just going to place BC even further behind other provinces and countries in fostering the cultural climate that is vital to attracting new business and maintaining a high quality of life for its citizens revealed Blackburn.

Although it remains to be seen specifically what will be cut and what impact this will have on the Arts Council,  Blackburn knows some programs and services will fall victim to lack of funding. 

“The recent  announcements in the budget are shameful in their lack of vision,” Blackburn concluded.

The Arts Council strengthens the fabric of Campbell River through a wide range of creative offerings, including:

• The annual Banner Project, benefitting local streets May through October, when the eye-catching creations are displayed for all to enjoy;
• Student bursary program, offering funding to local students who have chosen to study an arts-related program at the post-secondary level. The 2008 recipient, Amelia Koebel, is enrolled at Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan College where she is working towards a Diploma in Jazz Studies;
• Writers’ Series, providing opportunities for local writers to further develop their skills in the craft of writing.  

Visit CRAC on the web at www.crarts.ca or give them a call at 250-923-0213. They’re located in Willow Point at 2131 South Island Highway, in the cottage formerly occuped by artist Sybil Andrews. Memberhsip is a modest $20 annually for an individual.

Celebrate your country (and eat cake too)

My dad still calls our July 1 holiday Dominion Day. It doesn’t matter to him that Parliament changed the name in 1982 to Canada Day.  The first time he referred to July 1 as Dominion Day my niece looked at him blankly,  having been born the same year the former name went the way of the dodo. She hadn’t known it as anything other than Canada Day (she’s too young to remember Flashdance too, but that’s another story).

Regardless of what you call it, regardless of what you might think of the ongoing antics of our politicans, federal and otherwise, get out and have some fun on our country’s 142nd birthday. There’s no lack of actitivities to please everybody this year, many of them free. Here’s a sample:

* Always a huge favorite are the fireworks, brought to you by Quality Foods and simulcast on radio by 97.3 The Eagle. They start precisely at 10:22pm (please note that’s not 10:20pm, nor is it 10:25pm) and are visible from Discovery Pier, the foreshore, and possibly even Willow Point, although I confess to not knowing this for sure. It’s a semi-educated guess.

*  The Tidemark’s Children’s Festival from 10am to 4pm at the Community Centre. Scope out details at www.tidemarktheatre.com. It’s free and features activities both outside and inside (in the unlikely event of rain).

* And of course don’t forget the “Spirit of the River” Canada Day parade. Bring your camera and be ready for the 4:00pm start as the floats, bands, and community organizations make their way along Shoppers Row and finish at Discovery Pier. Bring an umbrella if you don’t want to risk being hosed by the fire department.

* Not everything is happening in the downtown area. There’s a Pancake Breaky at Frank James Park in Willow Point started at 7:00am and finishing at 10:30am. It’s sponsored by Quality Foods and hosted by the Campbell River Volunteer Firefighters. Cost is by donation. Proceeds go to the BC Firefighter’s Burn Fund.

* New this year are the Belt Sander Races at Home Hardware. Preregistration and details are available by calling them at 250-287-7147 or by dropping by the store at the corner of Dogwood and 13th Ave.

* If you can’t possibly wait until evening for Canada Day cake, get thee to C.R. Common at 2:00pm for their Cake Cutting (followed by Cake Eating). While you’re there, check out the various sidewalk sales.

* The Family Fair Market from 11am to 6pm will have face painting, food booths, and other Big Fun, including a Bouncerama (to be enjoyed only before eating, please. The volunteers thank you). See it all at the Foreshore and the Pier Street area. 

* Haven’t got your fill of cake yet? Head to Willow Point for noon where  Quality Foods will provide it and the Legion Pipers will entertain you. Brought to you by the Willow Point Business Improvement Association. 

Wondering where I’ll be on July 1? Refer to the Cake Schedule.