Regional Arts Plan Begins with $10,000 in Creative Communities Funding

Vancouver, B.C. (Nov. XX, 2009): Trail and District Arts Council will lead the development of a five-year arts plan for the Greater Trail area using $10,000 in funding from 2010 Legacies Now and the Province of British Columbia to match funding from the Greater Trail region and the Columbia Basin Trust.

This funding is provided under the Creative Communities program, which supports local governments and arts organizations in developing their arts and cultural sector. In 2006, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, Greater Trail area, laid the groundwork for this planning process by commissioning and completing a cultural scan of the region’s current arts and culture resources to identify strengths, challenges and new potential opportunities.

The five-year arts plan will be developed and supported by local government, arts, culture, heritage organizations and businesses. It will better integrate arts and culture in the community, contribute to community and economic development and result in an improved cultural life for residents and tourists.

“We are excited to be working with the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture on a plan to expand and improve arts and heritage opportunities in the area”, said Judy Wray, Vice-President of the Trail and District Arts Council.  “Consultation with the community will be a key part of this process to ensure that the plan has broad support.”

Lori Baxter, Director of Arts for 2010 Legacies Now said, “It’s exciting to see the Greater Trail area take the initiative to create a five-year plan. Creative Communities aligns local governments and community organizations in developing a common vision for enhancing the arts and cultural sector in a comprehensive two-step process.”

Together with the Province of British Columbia, 2010 Legacies Now has invested more than $300,000 into 38 Creative Communities projects around the province, and $3.9 million in the arts overall through its contribution programs.

“These projects will further boost the development of arts and culture in the province,” said Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. “The Creative Communities program is yet another example of the 2010 Winter Games legacies that are being shared by communities across B.C. The Province is pleased to support the process of long-term planning that takes place under the program."

2010 Legacies Now is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations, the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport and recreation, physical activity, arts, literacy, accessibility and volunteerism. 2010 Legacies Now actively assists communities in discovering and creating inclusive social and economic opportunities leading up to, and beyond, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.  For more information, please visit www.2010LegaciesNow.com.

For more information about Creative Communities please visit www.2010legaciesnow.com/creative_communities/

For more information about the Greater Trail Area Cultural Plan, please contact Judy Wray, Vice-President or Betty Seinen, Coordinator, Trail & District Arts Council, 250-364-3003.