Cherryville’s arts community isn’t getting the financial boost it was hoping for.
The Cherryville Artisans Association asked the White Valley Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee for $10,100 for 2015, but it will get $5,500 instead.
“We’ve had to cut back with other groups,” said Rick Fairbairn, WVPRCAC chairperson.
WVPRCAC is dealing with a $71,000 shortfall because it no longer receives funds from the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee to cover Lavington’s portion of debt load when it was part of White Valley.
Cherryville’s artisans received $6,576 in 2014.
While they are faced with financial realities, committee members say they value the work done by the Cherryville artisans.
“Some events have drawn as many as 400 people,” said Hank Cameron, Cherryville’s WVPRCAC director.
“They record a sample of visitors’ origin and have had many international visitors from Europe and Asia. The Cherryville artisans’ success over the last 14 years has provided a positive rural economic model that has been noticed at the provincial level.”
As part of the $10,100 sought by the Cherryville Artisans Association, there was $3,000 to organize the Roots and Beets Arts Festival, $1,100 for the youth apprentice program, $200 for Show in the Snow, $600 for insurance, $1,000 for a program co-ordinator, $900 for office expenses and $3,200 for marketing.
“We realize there are cutbacks but we find that the special events we host benefit the community, artists and musicians and we would like to pay artists and musicians fairly,” said Helen Kovacs, with the Cherryville Artists Association, in a letter.
“Without funding, we will continue with our events but we will not be able to advertise, pay musicians, artists or a promotions and marketing co-ordinator and insurance.”
The group’s total expenses in 2014 were $10,600.
“Fundraising does help with this and we will continue to fundraise and look for grants and businesses that could help match out funding,” said Kovacs. “It is a challenge as we are so small and we have no big businesses in Cherryville that could help us out.”
