Waiting to see: Cuts to the arts and particularly magazines murky in BC budget

The just announced B.C. budget has cranked back previously announced (and massive) cuts to arts organizations; however, according to the BC  Association of Magazine Publishers it's not clear what that means for BC arts and literary magazines. We quote from the association newsletter.

BC Finance Minister Colin Hansen unveiled the 2010 budget on March 2, amid great anticipation from the arts community. The figures presented appear to have restored funding to the 2008/2009 levels, with $60 million going to a newly created 2010 Sports and Arts Legacy fund. However, closer investigation by the Alliance for Arts and Culture reveals that funding to both the BC Arts Council and direct access gaming funds will be reduced by approximately 50%. See the full breakdown on the Alliance for Arts and Culture website.

What this means for BC arts and literary publications and BCAMP remains to be seen. The BCAMP advocacy committee and Coalition for the Defence of Writing & Publishing will be monitoring the situation closely.

Related posts:

• BC arts coalition keeps up pressure, buoyed by select committee recommendation against cuts
• BC coalition writes 100 times to Premier Campbellabout arts cuts
• Western Magazine Awards sees modest grant eliminated
• B.C. culture ministry cuts 100% of BCAMP funds as part of "literary clearcut"
• Federal minister Moore acknowledges "devastating" nature of BC arts cuts
•  BC magazine community dealing with quadruple funding whammy