September 28 2009

This coming Monday, 28 September 2009, presents a key opportunity to influence the next provincial budget, and call for a restoration of provincial investment in arts, culture, and heritage has arrived.
 
The provincial Finance Committee will be travelling the province to hear from you about what you think the 2010/2011 budget should look like.
 
The current BC Liberal budget plan for 2010/2011 includes cuts of 90% to arts and culture investment. 
 
As you know this will devastate arts organizations, throw thousands out of work, hurt our communities, and negatively impact our economy.

It just doesn’t make sense. If you are interested in what other people think about the cuts, here are some resources:

http://www.stopbcartscuts.ca/speakout.html

http://www.straight.com/article-257340/why-do-arts-matter

http://bit.ly/1Jupd3

http://www.ounodesign.com/BCArtsCutsProtest.html

http://blog.blprnt.com/blog/blprnt/bc-budget-visualizations

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlXAHoKf0GI
 
These cuts include the elimination of gaming funds, the entirety of BC Arts Council grants, and other investments in arts and culture.

There will be a rally in Vancouver outside the Finance Meeting to call attention to public opposition to the cuts. Attendance at the meeting has already been filled, so we will gather outside the meeting to demonstrate our opposition. Come rally outside the meeting downtown (Wosk Conference Centre, Seymour and Hastings) at 12:30 on Monday. Placards would be great. Something clever would be very welcome... And if people could come down and be willing speak to the media about how the cuts will affect them, that would be a powerful message back to the governement.

INFLUENCE THE NEXT PROVINCIAL BUDGET!!!
Monday, 28 September, 12:30PM
Wosk Centre at Seymour + Hastings