A total of 10 Greater Trail arts and culture groups were handed Columbia Basin Trust funding Friday as the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance announced its latest wave of grant recipients.
The Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) received a total of $706,000 in funding support for the 2012–2013 season, and in turn gave five Trail groups $18,700 to complete, maintain and refine their discipline.
The CKCA, in partnership with Columbia Basin Trust (CBT), has funded over 160 arts, culture and heritage projects including the Columbia Basin Culture Tour—that took place in the Greater Trail region as well—and The Trail Historical Society’s Trail Daily Times negative collection (to the tune of $9,000).
The historical society was a double winner with a $2,770 grant for website upgrades, while the Trail Pipe Band was given $800 for drumming instruction and VISAC’s A Golden Age of Childhood was allotted $6,200.
In Rossland, the Mountain Market received $2,000 for their music series, the Rossland Light Opera Players were awarded $2,000 for 60 Years, and the Golden City Railway Model Club was given $700 for uniform shirts.
The Rossland Council for Arts and Culture needed $1,300 for sound equipment and they got it, while the Rouge Centre for the Arts took home $930 for plinths and lighting.
“We hope cultural organizations will start thinking about activities that will be happening between June 2013 and May 2014 and planning their applications now for the next funding cycle,” said Jacquie Hamilton, CKCA chair.
CKCA administers and manages arts, culture and heritage program funding on behalf of the CBT. Funding applications were adjudicated in May by the CKCA steering committee, with input from community arts councils.
The money is earmarked for a wide range of projects, including individual and group projects, master classes, major exhibitions and heritage capital projects.
“Investing in arts, culture and heritage helps sustain the artists and organizations who create the works and preserve our heritage,” said Gary Ockenden, CBT director of community engagement.
CKCA funding helps individuals and organizations realize heritage projects and projects in all arts disciplines, including visual art, theatre, music, dance, media, literature and inter-arts.
Throughout the region, Nelson led the way with 16 arts groups bringing home $43,000, while nine Columbia Valley groups reaped $17,000. Creston also had nine arts and culture groups receive money, with $8,400 coming in as a result.
The Arrow Lakes (Nakusp), Salmo (five groups), Castlegar (three groups), North Kootenay Lake, Cranbrook, Slocan Lake, the Slocan Valley, Fernie, Kimberley, Valemount, Golden and Sparwood all had several arts groups awarded.
For a list of funded projects, visit the CKCA website at www.basinculture.com.