Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Petition in Support of the Arts - Available for Download

The petition launched at the November 26 rally is available here for download.


This petition will be presented to the Legislature when the house resumes sitting in February. As budget decisions will be made between now and then, we will be making interim reports on the progress of the petition to media, and are asking that completed sheets be returned by December 14, January 14 and February 7.


Spread the Word

Please send this petition notice out as far and wide as possible, through as many mediums as possible. We are aiming for this to go huge, very quickly--we have a short window to let the government know what the people of BC want. The success of this depends on many people sending it out, and many gathering signatures.


When you send the notice out, it would be helpful if you send a quick note back to artspetitionbc@gmail.com so we can see what geographical areas and sectors are covered, and where our gaps are.


Facebook and Web: The petition and this info will be posted on the Art Matters blogspot http://artmattersvictoria.blogspot.com/ and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=204461113452 during the week of December 1. Please post it on your website and facebook pages.

Gathering: We need lots of people, all over the province, to gather signatures from people from as many walks of life as possible who value the arts, and agree with the need for a visionary arts funding policy.

Please print the petition, sign it, and get as many signatures as you can. Post it in your venue, circulate it at events, in classes, and one to one with friends, family and neighbours. Find a tube and put it in your pocket and take it wherever you go. It’s an opportunity to increase understanding of the issues, and what is at stake.

We would also appreciate if people gathering signatures could drop a quick line with the heading “Gatherer” to artspetitionbc@gmail.com to help us track our progress, and so we can insure that all petitions are returned.

Rules and Regs: All petitions must have original signatures in ink. There is no online petition as the House will only accept signed hard copies. Signers do NOT have to be 18 years of age.

Returning petitions: Please return petitions to: Arts Petition BC: 1813 B Crescent Rd. Victoria, BC. V8S 2G7 . You can get 5 pages in a business envelope for the basic rate of 54 cents (57 cents after Jan 11).

Please send completed sheets in by December 14, January 14 and February 7.

Info: artspetitionbc@gmail.com.

Thank-you!!!!!

If not us who? If not now, when?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Good times pre- and post-rally

Button and sign making session - 9-11 am - November 26
Open Space Gallery, 510 Fort St., 2nd floor

Join with colleagues and friends before tomorrow's Art Matters Rally for a session of sign and button making.
Bring your favourite slogan to send a positive message to the government to Restore Arts Funding Now!

Plus, the fun continues with a post-rally gathering...
...again at Open Space. An opportunity to get together, share notes and plan for the future. The party starts immediately following Thursday's rally.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Art Matters: Restore Arts Funding Now Rally

What: "Art Matters: Restore Arts Funding Now" Rally

When: Thursday, November 26th at noon. Rain or Shine.

Where: BC Legislature Buildings- on the back steps (the front lawn is CLOSED for the season)

Who: All British Columbians Who Care About Arts and Culture

Why: The B.C. Legislature finishes its current session on Thursday November 26th. Artists and their supporters need to send one more strong show of public support for the restoration of arts funding in British Columbia before MLAs depart.

The time is now and the message is clear: Restore Arts Funding Now.




Dear Artists & Arts Supporters

As you are no doubt aware, the Provincial government has proposed a 92% cut to arts funding over the next two years. (From $47.7 million to $3.7 million) These cuts would have extremely serious ramifications throughout BC's cultural sector. They are also fiscally unwise, as by the government's own estimates every $1.00 of provincial funding spent on the arts brings back $1.36 in revenues to the provincial coffers.

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services issued their Report on the Budget 2010 Consultations on November 13th. The cross-party committee unanimously recommends that our government: ”Make funding of the arts a high priority in the 2010/11 budget by returning to overall actual funding levels of 2008/09.”

Positive news indeed- it seems our politicians are beginning to get the message that the arts are a wise investment, a strong industry, a vital part of our social fabric and are worthy of support. With the voices of MLA’s from both the Liberal and New Democrat parties behind this decision, the time for a positive message to all MLA’s is now and our timing is critical.

Professional artists in Victoria have already begun to organize a series of activities in support of the arts, with the clear message to all MLA’s to Restore Arts Funding Now. In addition to the rally these activities include:

* Regular, official introductions to the house by MLA’s of professional artists, students and their families who will be seated in the gallery.
* A pre-rally button- & sign-making session the morning of November 26
* A petition in support of visionary arts funding
* A post-rally party (we’re working on it)

On the heels of this positive message from the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, the mood of this rally will be artful and festive. Your attendance is requested, and perhaps you will agree, required. Please wear a colourful scarf. We hope to see a massive turnout for this celebratory positive farewell to our provincial politicians. A strong turnout will send a clear message and let our politicians know it is not too late to Restore Arts Funding Now.

Please circulate this widely and join the rally on November 26th for featured speakers and the launch of a petition followed by a circling of the legislature by artists and their supporters.

Join us on Facebook.

For further information, to volunteer, or to be added to our email list, contact: artmattersvictoria@gmail.com.