Arts funding from the Capital Region District Arts & Culture Support Service neared $3 million in 2024, with a record number of organizations receiving money.
The CRD issued 101 grants totalling $2,738,370 to support local not-for-profit arts programming this year — totals that were record highs, according to Arts Commission Chair Marianne Alto. “The proposals that were put forward this year were impressively varied, and I am thrilled that the Arts Commission is able to support so many unique initiatives that strengthen the region’s arts sector,” the Victoria Mayor said in a statement.
Saanich, Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, Highlands, Metchosin, Sooke, and Southern Gulf Islands were among the jurisdictions that contributed to five granting programs, including those that address marginalized groups, organizations without an arts mandate, new and established arts organizations, emerging arts organizations, and established arts organizations with long-term projects.
A range of organizations received funding, from BC Black History Awareness Society (which was awarded $7,500) and Victoria Brain Injury Society ($2,500) to Alter Arts Society ($6,000) and Hispanic Film Society of Victoria ($2,500).
Multi-year project funding was awarded to Art Gallery of Greater Victoria ($448,000), Victoria Symphony ($407,400), and Pacific Opera Victoria ($234,450), among others.
