The Kevin Files: BC budget axes Kevin's ministry - especially the arts part of it.

I guess this is our new reality.

Along with the new budget, each BC ministry is releasing a 2009/10 - 2011/12 Service Plan Update.  The update for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts makes for especially fun reading.

Looks like Kevin wants to put a strong focus on tourism - very interesting when you consider that he just axed Tourism BC (with its $64.9 million budget and 146 staff).  Just so we're clear, the mission of the ministry is now as follows:  "to build strong partnerships that will foster sustainable tourism, diverse and creative economies and promote communities where people want to live, visit and invest." 

Furthermore, the real purpose of the Ministry and its priority is to:  "enhance the province’s reputation as a world class destination with a wide array of experiences, through:

1) Making resorts, recreation sites, and trails a priority, serving as a cornerstone partner in providing outdoor recreational choices to British Columbians and visitors;

2) Supporting the province’s artistic, cultural, and heritage communities through the new cultural tourism strategy; and

3) Championing world class conventions, which not only attract business travellers from around the world, but work hand in hand with the province’s other tourism attractions to bring these travellers, and their friends and families, back again for personal visits."

So, not a lot about the creating great art then - more about the recreation sites, cultural tourism strategy and world class conventions.

Now for fun with numbers!  The Arts and Culture branch is having its core funding slashed by 81% from $19.5 million to just $3.7 million in 2009/10 (and down to $2.2 million in 2010/11 and 2011/12).  Also, the Special Endowment for Arts and Culture is estimated at $1.5 million with transfers to Crown Corporations and Agencies at $75.3 million.  That's according to the Service Plan Update.  But the budget estimates (which you really don't want to read) put the amount for Arts and Culture at $11.9 million, the Special Endowment for Arts and Culture estimate at $3.35 million and the transfer to Crown Corporations and Agencies (listed specifically as the Royal BC Museum and the BC Pavilion Corporation) at $21 million.  

Well, my question after all this fun is:  What is next year's actual budget for the BC Arts Council?  How does that work with this new money distribution thing through BC Gaming?  Just HOW deep are these cuts, anyway?

I mean, I only want to know because I feel like I'm truly a lucky member of BC's cultural community.  And after all:  "Thriving arts, culture and heritage sectors not only create a rich place to live and work, but are compelling attractions to visitors."  Of course, if there is no BC arts funding and eventually no artists -- there's always resorts and recreation sites.