Three arts and cultural institutions in Surrey will receive a share of $130,000 in provincial operating grants from the BC Arts Council, it was announced Friday.
The BC Arts Council is an independent agency funded by the province of British Columbia, and in 2015-2016, it provided $24 million to artists and cultural organizations in communities across B.C.
The operating grants are as follows: $77,000 for the Surrey Art Gallery, $28,000 for the Surrey Museum and Archives, and $26,936 for the Arts Council of Surrey.
“Access to the Surrey Art Gallery’s exhibitions and events are made available for free as a result of grant funding,” said Surrey Art Gallery Association president Jannette Maedel.
“These grants enable the gallery to provide learning opportunities and exhibitions that engage tens of thousands of visitors and program participants, as well thousands of school children from across the Metro Vancouver region and beyond each year.”
Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner applauded the continued support of the BC Arts Council because the grants have an immediate impact on arts and culture programming in the city.
Surrey’s cultural organizations and its artists provide “significant benefits to our city through community engagement that promotes social cohesion and provides substantial economic impact,” Hepner said.
Peter Fassbender, minister of community, sport, and cultural development, and minister responsible for TransLink, made the announcement.