The Quesnel and District Community Arts Council is looking to fund some projects. The group is accepting applications for their Project Support Grants.
The grants provide funding up to $1,500 for local groups to increase participation in arts and culture in Quesnel and the North Cariboo District.
President of the council, Cathy Heinzelman, encouraged everyone to apply, even groups which aren’t part of the council.
“All we can say is no,” she said. “There was a dutch saying my husband had… No you have, yes you can get. We’re happy to help. If they come with a gelatinous idea, and aren’t sure, we’re happy to say, ‘this is a fantastic idea,’ or say ‘it doesn’t fit us, these are other places you could look.'”
Individual artists’ should apply to the BC Arts Council or Canadian Council for the Arts. Projects must be completed one year after receiving funds, and successful applicants must report back to the council with results.
“It doesn’t have to be a public project,” she said. “If you ask for something from Rotary, they like to have something to put a plaque on, we’re looking a little bit beyond that. We can do things that create something happening.”
One grant for 2021 is already given out. The council helped fund the Quesnel Festival of the Performing Arts’ efforts to move online. The festival needed to purchase a program which would allow them to host competitions even during with restrictive COVID-19 measures.
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“It can all be done online, all the registrations,” Heinzelman said. “They’ve got dance organized, and now we’re looking at moving into vocal and piano and stuff. That’s taking time to learn how to do that.”
The deadline for grant applications is Monday, Jan. 25, but Heinzelman noted a project may still receive funding even if it is started after the deadline.
“If [applicants] need some help, we are happy to help,” she said.
Application forms are available at the council’s website, quesnelarts.com.
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