Greater Victoria’s arts and culture community received a big boost Friday as the Capital Regional District Arts Commission has approved the distribution of more than $2.6 million in funding to 93 local not-for-profit organizations.
Funding was disbursed through one of five grant programs, which each support a variety of initiatives. The CRD’s mandate is to support, promote and celebrate arts and culture, from visual art, music, and dance to theatre and film.
Outreach was point of focus this year, according to Chris Gilpin, manager of arts and culture for the Capital Regional District. “We spend a lot of time making sure people know about the grant funding,” he said.
The record-high investment, increased by approximately $100,000 from this point last year, includes 15 first-time recipients. “The arts sector within the region is continuing to develop,” Gilpin said. “There are new organizations coming up, and we’re seeing a lot of first-time funding, which is encouraging.”
The organizations to receive funding this year include the Victoria BC Ska &Reggae Society ($25,000), Theatre SKAM ($40,800), Kaleidoscope Theatre ($56,800), and Open Space ($87, 930). Multi-year grants were extended to Pacific Opera Victoria ($234,450), Victoria Symphony ($407,400), and Art Gallery of Greater Victoria ($448,000), among others.
