There’s money for culture, but one group isn’t sure how that will help the bottom line.
Adult arts organizations will be able to apply for provincial gaming grants after cuts occurred in 2008. A total of $6 million has been set aside for culture and sports.
“It’s what we’ve been asking for but the question is, will we be reinstated to previous grant levels?” said Dauna Kennedy Grant, with the Vernon Public Art Gallery.
“They may open it up to more groups so we may not get everything back.”
The non-profit society’s grant was chopped in half and $50,000 would be required to restore it to pre-2008 gaming levels.
Questions also revolve around whether the government will increase funding to the B.C. Arts Council, which has reduced its assistance to organizations in recent years.
Because of the impact of provincial cuts, the gallery recently asked the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee for $175,000 in operational funds for 2012, up from the $134,000 received in 2011.
A $20,000 shortfall was covered by internal reserves.
Kennedy Grant is hopeful the gallery will see a boost in the provincial grant.
“This directly impacts our ability to maintain staff and the services we have,” she said.
However, even if gaming funds to materialize, Kennedy Grant would like to see GVAC still come on board with the $175,000 because of growing public demand for programs.
“We have educational programs for the schools and the public and they require a lot of background work and time to put together,” she said.
The provincial government will provide a total of $135 million in gaming grants across B.C. in 2012.
“Non-profits do tremendous work for British Columbians,” said Ida Chong, community, development minister in a release.
“In some smaller communities, they are the sole service providers, ensuring B.C. families have access to important resources that improve their quality of life.”
There was $156 million for gaming grants in 2008 and the Liberals’ current action is drawing fire from the NDP.
“(Premier Clark) has expanded the eligibility, but not increased the size of the pot, so there will essentially be more groups looking for a smaller pot of money,” said NDP critic Shane Simpson.
The B.C. government now takes in $1 billion a year from all forms of gambling.
— with files from Black Press reporter Tom Fletcher.
