Originally established in 1979 to represent and serve the needs of BC’s community and regional arts councils, the Assembly of BC Arts Council’s mandate includes promoting the role of arts and culture to healthy, creative communities, and highlighting the contribution arts and culture makes to all aspects of community development. We achieve this by connecting communities and supporting networks throughout BC’s arts community— geographic, discipline specific, professional and community based—and through the development and delivery of resources, services and programs to a province-wide roster of arts and cultural organizations.

The organization’s constituted purpose is “... to advance arts and cultural development in the Province of British Columbia through the furtherance of the respective objects of BC's community and regional arts councils and other similar organizations”.

In 2010, the Assembly of BC Arts Councils made the decision to re-brand to ArtsBC and expand its mandate to be more inclusive of other arts and cultural organizations, individual artists, business associations, and other stakeholders with an interest in arts and culture in BC. At the same time, the organization renewed its focus in three core areas to reinforce its commitment to developing and supporting the arts and culture sector in British Columbia: advocacy, resources and community.

 ArtsBC’s member base has grown in recent years to include arts organizations from every genre and discipline including galleries, museums, theatre companies, as well as individual artists, administrators and volunteers. Current members include 90 community and regional arts councils from every region of BC, and over 110 individuals and arts organizations engaged in community based arts that span a multitude of artistic disciplines and practices.

ArtsBC offers programs and services that help build the capacity and sustainability of BC arts and cultural organizations, while supporting the development of individual artists. We encourage growth in the practice of arts-based community development through our communication networks, professional development, education and training initiatives, advocacy work, and through participation in provincial arts initiatives. We promote the unique ways in which arts practices and processes contribute to community well being, while promoting the positive effects community participation can have on artists and their work.