From production company to workshop company
December 21, 2009
In 2009, the British Columbia government redirected provincial gambling profits away from cultural groups as well as making huge cuts to arts funding. All in all, the cuts to culture in BC are estimated at 90%. If we look at it that way, I guess one could argue that our cuts at 66% are better than the provincial average.
But what does that 66% cut mean to our audience and community? It means that our storytelling program for Queer immigrants and refugees has been put on hold. It means that our program for local playwrights has been reduced to a trickle. It means that our production plans, which would have employed five actors, three designers, a director and a playwright, have been postponed. It means that our contribution to culture in British Columbia is diminished. Diminished by more than 66%. Why is this?
It is a well known fact that people who work in the arts are generally inspired and impassioned people who put more hours in to their jobs than they are paid. For small arts groups like us, that is the standard. But what happens when you cannot pay them for that one hour of the two or three they actually work? Well, what happens is they need to find another job. And you have not lost one hour of creativity but actually two or three.
That is the reality of being part of culture in British Columbia in 2010. We feel fortunate to be part of BC’s creative community. Let’s hope that the people of the province call out for more investment in culture.
