Letter to BC Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts

Dear Minister Krueger,

As a person who has been employed for most of my working life in British Columbia in many aspects of the cultural sector, I’m writing to congratulate you on becoming the new Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts and to express just how important it is to have a Minister who understands the “culture and the arts” side of the Ministry. If you are ever looking for input or feedback, I’d be more than happy to be called upon.

I am currently a graphic designer with a small business that caters to the cultural sector as well as being a consultant who assists arts organizations. I was once a touring artist working in schools—I even performed for a week in Kamloops at the Sagebrush—and communities all over BC as well as being an executive director two non-profits: The BC Touring Council and the Creative City Network of Canada.

Today, much of my business comes from organizations who are supported by the BC Arts Council which means that my financial well-being is directly related to the health of these organizations, cultural businesses and individuals, and I see first hand how much positive economic and social profit is created by the support the BC Arts Council invests throughout BC.

I understand that there are budget plans to significantly reduce the funding to the BC Arts Council in the coming year. I strongly urge you to reconsider this direction. The effect to the economy of the cultural sector in BC will be devastating. Equally as devastating will be the result to the quality of life in communities all around BC by reduced activity, laid off staff, fewer artists employed, less cultural “product” and myriad other side-effects, not to mention the reduced tax income to the Government from this economic activity.

You have a challenge ahead with the current financial environment, but I urge you to carefully consider the adverse effect of reducing the BC Arts Council budget in the coming year.

Sincerely,

John McLachlan