In this issue: A focus on recent reports on arts education, including American summaries of the benefits of arts and music education, Canadian research into the relationship between music training and reading skills, a Quebec survey of the cultural activities of children and their parents, and a Canadian report on the labour market value of higher education.

The all-party Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia will be undertaking its annual budget consultation process in the weeks ahead.

The Craft Council of BC, the charitable arts service organization for the craft sector, celebrates their 40th anniversary this year and has announced the conference "Craft Invested: 10,000 hrs Conference" and associated exhibit "Invested/40 Exhibition" (October 18 - November 8). The title derives from writer Malcolm Gladwell's citing of 10,000 hours being a threshold of proficiency.

The Council reports:

"A-Maze-ing Laughter" (2009) by artist Yue Minjun has been nominated to win designation as a "Great Place in Canada." The annual competition, hosted by the Canadian Institute of Planners, seeks to profile beloved public spaces in the country.

The Aviva Community Fund, created by Aviva Insurance, is Canada's longest running community funding competition, dedicated to funding the little things that will create positive change within communities. Plan, submit, and promote your idea for a chance to share in the $1,000,000 fund. 

To be eligible, submissions must be "action oriented, local to Canada, beneficial to many, priced under $150,000 and capable of being executed by December 2014".

The Cinematheque, Vancouver's non-profit cinema dedicated to education and exhibiting excellence in film, has recently launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign to upgrade their projection capabilities. The cinema presently screens in 35mm reels, and comments that upgrading to the modern film projection medium DCP or Digital Cinema Package is critical to their sustainability as an organization. 

The architect-selection committee for the new Vancouver Art Gallery has released a Request for Qualifications for interested architects with a deadline of October 4th. This process marks the latest development in the Gallery’s relocation since City Council’s granting of a 99-year lease on the 1.8 acre site at Cambie and Georgia in April.

Richmond City Council wishes to fill vacancies on the following Advisory Committees/Boards/Commission:

On September 12 the Waterfall building will host “Vancouver Art Attack” where 20 of Vancouver’s elite artists will “paint their art out” over 4 hours, creating auctionable masterpieces; with a minimum bid of $1000.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board is holding a consultation session in Vancouver regarding proposed amendments to the Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal Procedural Regulations (the Regulations).

The Key Events List (pdf), compiled by your Alliance for Arts and Culture, lists upcoming events in and around Metro Vancouver through the next 12 months. The list is designed to be a guide for event planners, who will find the roster helpful in avoiding scheduling conflicts.

Are you a journalist, blogger or a writer looking for fun new opportunities to reach a wider audience across Canada and beyond? Culture Days is the chance you’ve been waiting for!