The Greater Victoria arts community is receiving a major boost, with over $3 million in funding from the British Columbia Arts Council for 2024 and 2025. This new support will benefit more than 55 local organizations, artists, and cultural events across Oak Bay, Victoria, and Saanich. The funding aims to help build a stronger connection between people in the region while keeping creativity alive and accessible.
The announcement was made on July 16 by MLAs Diana Gibson and Nina Krieger. They expressed strong support for the local arts scene and highlighted the importance of this investment. Gibson praised the area’s creative energy and its ability to inspire and entertain both locals and visitors. She noted that the funding will help more people engage with art and culture in their own communities. Krieger added that Greater Victoria has a wide variety of talented groups producing world-class work. She emphasized that the funding comes at a time when such support is truly needed.
Several organizations are receiving large grants. The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is set to receive $287,100. The Other Guise Theatre Society will get $250,000, while the Holocaust Educational Theatre Society will receive $25,000. The Maritime Museum of British Columbia is being awarded $22,850, and the Malahat Review, a respected literary journal, will receive $20,000. These groups represent different parts of the creative world, from visual art and performance to history and literature.
This funding will help them continue their work and reach more people throughout the region. Many smaller community-based projects are also included in the funding list. This ensures that local programs, events, and voices are supported at every level. It also helps make art more accessible to residents of all ages and backgrounds.
Across British Columbia, more than $37 million in funding is being distributed by the B.C. Arts Council for 2024 and 2025. The funds aim to help creative sectors thrive again after years of challenges. This provincial investment shows the value placed on culture and the important role it plays in education, mental health, and building a strong community spirit.
For many local artists and groups, this funding is vital. It covers basic needs like renting rehearsal or gallery space, buying equipment or materials, and organizing shows or workshops. Without this kind of help, many projects would not be possible. As the region recovers and looks to the future, support like this can lead to more jobs, more opportunities, and a richer cultural life.
Officials say the arts do more than entertain. They bring people together, help share diverse stories, and create a sense of belonging. In economic terms, investing in the arts can also lead to more visitors, stronger tourism, and increased activity in local businesses.
The B.C. Arts Council’s funding has been welcomed by both artists and community leaders. By backing more than 55 projects in Greater Victoria alone, the council is showing a clear commitment to growing the region’s creative culture. These investments are expected to help keep the arts scene vibrant, diverse, and open to everyone.
This year’s funding represents not just financial support, but a broader belief in the power of art to change lives and build stronger communities. As artists, audiences, and neighborhoods benefit from this support, Greater Victoria is set to become an even more creative, inclusive, and inspiring place to live and visit.
