B.C. announced grant to Langley Arts Council

Langley Arts Council has been awarded a B.C. Arts Council grant of $21,446, MLA Mary Polak announced.

“The Langley Arts Council enriches the lives of so many,” said Polak. “The staff and volunteers deserve tremendous credit for nurturing local talent and creativity for people of all ages.”

“Langley is a vibrant and creative community, and the assistance we receive from the BC Arts Council helps us showcase the value of arts and culture,” said Harmony Thiessen, executive director Langley Arts Council. “People value creative expression very close to their heart.”

The local funding comes from a $24-million pool that the B.C. Arts Council received from the provincial government to support artists, arts activities, and culture in the 2013-14 fiscal year.

As B.C.’s lead agency for arts funding and development, the B.C. Arts Council enlists the expertise of the province’s artists to evaluate grant applications through a peer review process independent of government.

Established in 1995, the B.C. Arts Council consults with the arts and culture community to develop policies, programs and strategic priorities for the sector. Last year, the Council approved more than 1,000 grants in more than 200 communities in every region of the province.

The provincial government is providing $24 million to the B.C. Arts Council this year, the highest funding level in the council’s history.

Overall, it is investing $60 million towards B.C.’s artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions during the 2014-15 fiscal year.

For more information about the B.C. Arts Council, including information on how to apply for grants, visit BCArtsCouncil.ca.