The B.C. government is funding a $2-million arts and culture initiative aimed at upgrading community art facilities across the province, Victoria announced Monday (Aug. 17).

Tourism Minister Lisa Beare explained the arts infrastructure program will allow for community arts organizations, including those run by Indigenous groups, to apply for a $75,000 grant for facility upgrades or a $45,000 grant towards art programming and equipment.

Emphasizing that the program will pay economic and social dividends, Beare said sheB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渄elightedB次元官网网址� that centres of art and culture will expand in communities and online, B次元官网网址渨hether thatB次元官网网址檚 building new spaces for sharing traditional knowledge, expanding exhibition areas or acquiring equipment to share work digitally.B次元官网网址�

Arts Umbrella CEO Paul Larocque welcomed the initiative, which he said will invigorate his organizationB次元官网网址檚 mandate to B次元官网网址渋nspire creativity in young people and provide arts education where itB次元官网网址檚 needed most.B次元官网网址�

The program will be run by the BC Arts Council and will accept applications from eligible organizations until mid October.