We have received the following e-mail from NDP Arts and Culture Critic about an exchange with the Honorable Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development, regarding a$3 million “residue” in her ministry and how it is to be allocated.
Dear Friends of BC’s Creative Sector,
I wanted to share with you questions that I raised with Arts Minister Ida Chong during yesterday’s sitting of the house. I raised questions about support for the film and television industry, BC Arts Council and dedicated arts funding from the provincial budget. Scroll down to read more or you can watch our exchange online here
[While we do recommend watching, or at least listening to, this video, we expect you will find the exchange somewhat mindnumbing, though ultimately interesting, especially when it gets around to the $3 million.--AABC]
I was surprised to learn that Minister Chong has been sitting on approximately $3 million dollars in unallocated arts and culture funding that has yet to dispersed. I questioned the Minister and it was revealed that her Ministry has only 30 days to spend these funds and furthermore that there is no official application process in place for arts groups to access these funds. Here is one of the questions that I raised:
S. Chandra Herbert: I think that people in the arts and culture industry will be interested, and surprised to a large extent, that the minister herself has approximately $3 million to allocate as she sees fit. Certainly, I am surprised. I think the minister has spoken about applications. Well, was there an open call? Is it just whoever knows? How does this happen?
Once she has allocated the dollars, will she be releasing what the applications consisted of, so that people can see that it was done in a fair and transparent manner? Will she release what advice she had, so that she can be sure that it was broad-based and regionally supported, so that people see that she is using taxpayers’ dollars in a wise manner? As the minister will know, the B.C. Arts Council operates through a pure jury process — in a sense, to try and take away the concern that people might play favourites, that political considerations might come into how funds are allocated.
For this upcoming year will the minister be making any open call to the public to say that she has $3 million to spend for arts and culture groups?
I am extremely concerned that this $3 million dollars could be used as a political slush fund by a party that is not faring well in public opinion polls, and could use these funds to shore up support.
I am writing to share this information with you and also to encourage you to contact Minister Chong.
What do you think about her decision to not distribute $3 million in arts funding at a time in which arts are companies are struggling following the deepest cuts to arts and culture in BC? What do you think about the fact that her Ministry has control over $3 million in funds, with no accountability from the community about how it would best be spent?
I encourage you to write Minister Chong – [email protected] or contact her via Twitter twitter.com/#!/Ida_Chong > and let her know your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA
Vancouver-West End
Official Opposition Critic for Arts and Culture
For the full letter:
http://gallery.mailchimp.com/11073062ad037597beccee62e/images/Letter_footer.jpg
