NDP MLAs Whiteside and Chouhan say arts funding helps inspire and connect people in New Westminster
NEW WESTMINSTER– New Democrat MLAs Jennifer Whiteside and Raj Chouhan say that provincial funding for local artists, arts organizations and events is helping to make New Westminster a more vibrant and connected community.
“Everyone in the community benefits when there’s a lively arts scene,” says Jennifer Whiteside, MLA for New Westminster-Coquitlam. “This funding supports many artists to bring their creative visions to life, for many people to enjoy.”
The following local organizations received funding via the B.C. Arts Council in the 2024/25 year:
- Savage Production Society – Operating Assistance, Arts Circulation and Touring, Arts Impact Grant, $103,000
- New Westminster Museum and Archives – Operating Assistance, $23,000
- Arts Council of New Westminster – Operating Assistance, $20,430
- EVENT Magazine – Operating Assistance, $20,000
“This funding helps people of all backgrounds participate in the creative sector,” says Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-New Westminster. “Congratulations to all of the grant recipients, thank you for sharing your stories.”
Across B.C., more than $37 million in grant funding was distributed to 1,303 arts organizations, events, and individual artists through the B.C. Arts Council (BCAC).
The BCAC is an agency of the provincial government that nurtures and supports arts and cultural activity in communities throughout B.C., and administers provincial funding to community arts in rural and urban centres, to individual artists, professional performing arts companies, Indigenous artists and cultural organizations, art galleries, local museums and music festivals, supporting a range of activities while engaging with artists and communities to inform policies and programs.
The BC New Democrat government has increased the BCAC budget from $24 million in 2016-17 to more than $40 million in 2025-26.
Learn More: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025TACS0029-000682