Arts organizations across the province are reeling. We’ve just experienced the sharp edge of the government’s axe as it came down on the Direct Access Gaming Grants. We are faced with severe budget shortfalls by way of cancelled gambling grants, decreased BC Arts Council support, and the prospect of an 89 per cent cut in the province’s core arts and culture spending in the next two years.

Of course the Bowen Island Arts Council is not immune to these cuts. Like others, we are hit mightily by the loss of funding. We’ll have to re-jig our current year’s budget – trying to compensate for an immediate $15,000 loss of revenue, which was earmarked for programming. And we’re bracing for a reduction in our operating budget, formerly an amount based on population, distributed by the BC Arts Council. For an organization of our size, that’s huge, representing approximately 15 per cent of our total budget.

In discussing the impact of the government’s de-investment in the arts, the Georgia Straight has been circulating an anecdote that features Winston Churchill. “The story goes that during World War II, the British prime minister was asked by fellow politicians to shut down theatres and cultural institutions in order to save money. ‘What are we fighting for then?’ his response is said to have been.” Exactly.

Study after study proves that the arts sector is an extremely valuable driver of economic and community development. And just in case you haven’t heard enough stats on the matter, consider this: A study commissioned by the BC government in 2006 estimated returns to all levels of government of $34-41 million from the 300 organizations who shared the $9.5 million in 2004 BC Arts Council grants. This means this investment in the arts through the BC Arts Council netted a return of over $350% to all levels of government. (The return on that $9.5 million to the BC government alone was estimated to be between $10 million and $13 million) - Socio-Economic Impacts of Arts and Cultural Organizations in BC.

So why, we ask? Why cut us down now, when it makes sense to continue supporting a fundamental aspect of our society? Arts matter. And arts on Bowen Island matter enormously.

Last week, Board members and staff of BIAC met on a lovely late summer’s afternoon to consider our strategic plan. It’s big. It’s bold and it would result in cultural tourism, new jobs and economic activity and renewed vitality for our community. But big chunks of it will have to be shelved. We have the vision, the spirit and the desire, but we don’t have the resources to initiate many of the projects.