This first week of the New Year marks my first week as the Alliance's Executive Director, and it is an honour to join this important organization.  

In the weeks ahead, I will be working with the Alliance board and staff to finalize our renewed strategic plan and our operating priorities for 2012.  I look forward to connecting with our members as we engage in this work throughout the year.  

The BC Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development announced on October 31 that Minister Ida Chong has received the independent report from Skip Triplett that examines government’s community gaming grant system for British Columbia.

In making the announcement the ministry stated that “Government will release the report, in full, within the next 60 days – once it has had an opportunity to thoroughly review the document and determine next steps based on the options provided.”

Mark your calendar for 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Canadian cultural sector is facing considerable changes in the environment in which it operates. One of those is an increasingly clear change in the way the federal government sees its role regarding arts and culture. Now, more than ever, is a time for greater solidarity in the arts, culture and heritage sector.

It’s not all that surprising that people think of mountains, ocean, and rainforest, when our fair city is mentioned. Unfortunately, this sometimes overshadows the incredible arts and culture Vancouver has to offer. To help remedy this, Tourism Vancouver is giving Culture in Vancouver a little extra love this winter.

First up, is a comprehensive Events Calendar that lists dozens of great events happening here every day.

BCreative 2012 Conference and Showcase, May 1-0 - 12 at SFU’s downtown Vancouver venues, is an opportunity for the business, academic, government and creative communities to discuss the importance of a robust creative sector to a vibrant economy.

Often overlooked or taken for granted, the cultural industry will be one of the main economic drivers in the coming years.

In addition to a call for papers, BCreative 2012 is seeking out voices in various creative subsectors.

The City of Richmond has issued a Call to Artists / Request for Qualifications, for their 2012 Artist Roster. The Artist Roster seeks artists wishing to be considered for projects in Richmond’s Community Public Art Program. This program matches artists with community groups to develop public art projects created through a collaborative process.

The Artist Roster was created for the City of Richmond Community Public Art Program (the Program). 

Current Alliance members are invited to bring a friend or colleague to this year’s Arts Fete (Friday, Dec. 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Vancity Film Centre) and sign them up for Alliance membership (memberships begin at $30 for the Arts Advocate level).

The host and new members will then be entered into an Arts Fete evening draw for the first Alliance Cultural Passport package of tickets, subscriptions and other goodies.

Vancouver , British Columbia – The Board of Directors of ArtsBC/Assembly of BC Arts Councils is very pleased to announce that a new Executive Director has been named.