There has been a groundswell of supportive response to the resignation of BC Arts Council chair Jane Danzo, and yesterday morning (Thursday, Aug. 26) Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Kevin Krueger appeared on CBC Radio One's Early Edition with host Kathryn Gretsinger, to add his perspective to the discussion.

A public meeting has been called for 7 p.m. on Monday, September 27 at the Scotia Bank Dance Centre to discuss what the community can do to change the way the arts are perceived in this province.

August 26th, 2010

Dear Premier Campbell,

I am writing you on behalf of the Canadian Dance Assembly in response to the recent and devastating decisions made in British Columbia in the field of arts and culture, affecting our daily mission as a national dance organization advocating for a healthy dance milieu. We are writing on behalf of 33% of our members, based in your province, striving to survive in an environment that, with all due respect, could easily be called a "scorched earth policy".

Dear Minister Krueger:

I want to express my grave concerns at the severity of the funding cuts recently imposed on much of the  BC Arts Community.

This letter is in response to MLA Ron Cantelon's remarks to the Times-Colonist, Saturday Aug 21.

August 20th, 2010 

Former BC Arts Council chair Jane Danzo has released the full text of her letter of resignation, citing a lack of both meaningful consultation and an arms-length relationship with government ...

Dear Minister Krueger,

Thank-you for your kind words in last week’s press release that announced my resignation from the British Columbia Arts Council.

I was very proud to have been appointed to the BC Arts Council and even more so to have been appointed Chair.  I consider it a privilege to have been asked to serve the government for the past four years. 

From Amir Ali Alibhai: Former BC Arts Council chair Jane Danzo's letter of resignation to Minister Kevin Krueger comes as a refreshing expression of "truth to power”.

In the face of almost daily announcements of cuts to government funding of the arts, we were at first disappointed to learn of Jane's resignation. She has been a longtime supporter and tireless advocate for the cultural community, and we were dismayed at the prospect of the loss of her influence.

First Deadline: October 1, 2010

Cultural Services is pleased to announce the 125th Anniversary Grants Program which has been established to support the growing excitement, pride and enthusiasm for Vancouver's upcoming 125th anniversary in 2011. 

Many artists and groups are receiving word of even more severe BCAC program cuts than expected, in addition to the effective elimination of gaming grants to the arts sector.  This will hurt all members of the sector badly, and some will sustain mortal wounds (the Western Edge Theatre in Nanaimo has cancelled their 2010/11 season and may fold).  The BCAC and the Assembly of BC Arts Councils have both been forced into a devil's choice in circumstances with no good options.

The Alliance was very disappointed to learn yesterday of the unexpected resignation of Jane Danzo, chair of the BC Arts Council, less than one year into her term.

Ms Danzo, past president of Pacific Opera Victoria, has an exemplary record of more than 30 years of community service and service to the arts. She served as a member of the advisory committee to the Vancouver Foundation for the BC Arts Renaissance Fund and the Medici Fund. She was appointed September 10, 2009.

A Message to Members:

As BCAC notifications arrive across the province over the coming days, there is renewed anger and anxiety throughout the arts sector.  Please stay tuned here for more information coming from the Alliance Advocacy Committee respecting our work to date, our view of the situation, our view of the sector across the province, our advocacy plans and our thoughts about other planned advocacy initiatives.

Information that helps us is information not only about actual cuts, but also the impact of those cuts--especially as it affects programming.