Here are two pertinent comments on Christy Clark’s Gaming Policy Review.

Read Pete McMartin’s column: Government slight of hand does not fool charities.

Following is the response from the Alliance for Arts and Culture:

Alliance Responds To Gaming Grant Announcements

Premier Christy Clark today released Scott Triplett’s Community Gaming Grant Review report and announced some good news for the arts community.

”We are very encouraged by Premier Clark’s announcement of increases to funding and eligibility for BC Gaming Grants,” saidAlliancefor Arts and Culture executive director Rob Gloor in responding to today’s announcement.

“The premier has described the $135 Million grant budget as the ‘new base’, and added that stabilizing arts funding has been a priority for her government and a personal commitment since taking office as premier.  There is no doubt that today’s announcement will have a very positive impact in communities across BC through the work of hundreds of organizations.

“TheAlliancefor Arts and Culture is eager to review the fine details of the funding and associated allocations process in the context of Mr. Triplett’s report. The arts community has endured tremendous funding challenges over the past three years, and we are grateful to receive some news of positive steps,” Mr. Gloor concluded.

ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

  • The Province has increased gaming grants in its annual base budget to a total of $135 million, beginning this fiscal year.
  • That will mean $15 million more in gaming grants than originally budgeted for 2011/12.
  • This funding will reach right across the province with a large part going outside of the Lower Mainland to more than 2,000 organizations in hundreds of communities.
  • Groups focusing on adult arts and sports, animal welfare and environmental concerns will be eligible for community gaming grants.
  • These reinstated groups will receive a total of $8 million. The Province will conduct a special intake of applications from Jan. 16 to Feb. 13 to ensure these groups are eligible for funding this fiscal year. Interested organizations will be required to apply online.
  • Of this $8 million, $6 million will be allocated for adult arts, culture and sport organizations, while environmental organizations will be allocated $2 million.
  • This funding will benefit non-profit organizations that deliver key community services such as animal shelter organizations, fish and wildlife associations, lake and stream stewardship societies, district arts councils, museum societies, and theatres.
  • The remaining $7 million will be used to increase funding to groups that have experienced reductions during the past three years, including those responsible for fairs, festivals, youth arts and culture, community service, the B.C. Senior Games and community education organizations.
  • Funding will benefit community-focused organizations such as Kiwanis and Lions Club, heritage and folk music societies, non-profit child development societies, youth music schools and pipe bands.
  • The Province is also exploring options for introducing multi-year funding in the coming years for groups that have achieved earned independence through sound fiscal practices.

Today’s government media release can be found here .
THE REVIEW

Between August 11th and Sept.16th, 2011 Mr. Triplett held Community Forums in 19 locations across BC. A total of 1,229 British Columbians attended these forums and 336 people made oral presentations

The full Community Gaming Grant report can be found here .

The community presentations can be found here .

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