Donna Spencer, Artistic Producer, Firehall Arts Center –

“The Firehall is thrilled to have received the support of the BC Fairs, Festivals and Events program as our organization and all the performing artists we work with have been deeply affected by the pandemic closures. Our closure also deeply affected the nearby restaurants and cafes that our audiences and artists visit regularly, and they made us feel welcome. “

Amanda Montgomery, Jr., Host Committee for All Native Basketball Tournament –

“Jr. All Native brings together First Nations youth from across the province. This event is so important to young people and the communities that support them. This grant will bring everyone together again to celebrate sport, culture and community.

Esther Rausenberg, Artistic and Executive Director, Eastside Arts Society –

“The past two years have been extremely difficult and disruptive for arts organizations; I am incredibly grateful and encouraged to hear that the province recognizes the issues and challenges we have faced as a result of the pandemic. This $ 70,000 support will have a significant impact on maintaining the stability of our treasured arts and culture programs, while creating vibrant communities through artistic exploration and connection, including the annual Culture Crawl festival and the Studio 101 program, which offers approximately 180 inner-city schools for kids with free art-making workshops each year. “

Court Smith, President, Williams Lake Stampede Association –

“The famous Williams Lake Stampede is a major event that has a significant impact on the local economy. Our visitors are local, regional, provincial and even international, which makes it a unique event of its kind. The Williams Lake Stampede Association Board of Directors is delighted to receive a Festivals, Fairs and Events Recovery Grant. This financial boost will help us remain a viable organization and fulfill our commitment to the Williams Lake community.

Dominic Lai, Director of Development, Marketing and Operations, Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival –

“We are delighted to welcome our visitors back to False Creek as we celebrate culture and sport at the flagship dragon boat festival in North America. Hosting exciting – and above all, safe – events like the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is essential in reconnecting our community. We are grateful for the support of the BC Fairs, Festivals and Events program as we plan for 2022 alongside our community partners, small business, culture and industry.

Shelley Frost, President and CEO, Pacific National Exhibition –

“Supporting this program will provide us with a bridge to a better future. Fairs, festivals and events have been devastated for two seasons and the Pacific National Expo is extremely grateful that the province has heard this message and worked actively with the industry to support as many relevant events and organizations as possible. . The PNE produces events of all sizes and this funding will help restore jobs and improve the economic impact of these events in our communities. And beyond that, this funding helps us safely return to the types of activities that bring communities together, make social connections, and generate a lifetime of memories with family and friends – something we all have more of. need to end this pandemic. “

Nina Horvath, Executive Director, Coastal Jazz and Blues Society –

“The Coastal Jazz and Blues Society is delighted to receive this funding from the province to support the TD International Jazz Festival. These funds will help us produce a safe, live festival program in 2022 that supports artists from across British Columbia and beyond. We look forward to reconnecting with our community and connecting artists and audiences through the power of jazz. “

Gurpreet Sian, Executive Director, South Asian Arts Society –

“Thank you to the Government of British Columbia for meeting the challenges arts organizations have faced over the past two years by establishing the BC Fairs, Festival, and Events Recovery Fund. The South Asian Arts Society has been hit hard by closures linked to the pandemic. Financial support from this program will allow us to once again create safe artistic spaces where artists can perform and the community can come together in person, including theatrical events during our annual Monsoon Performing Arts Festival.

Doug Cox, Executive Producer and Artistic Director, Vancouver Island MusicFest –

“We are delighted to have received this funding from the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. Frankly, this help will help us get back on the map as one of the Island’s premier cultural tourism events and allow us to get back to earth after a few tumultuous years. We are so lucky to receive this support and are able to sigh and take a deep breath of relief now as we move forward with the planning of the MusicFest VI 22. Thank you!

Connie Patterson, President, Dawson Creek Exhibition Association –

“The Dawson Creek Exhibition is known as the world’s greatest peace show and we are extremely happy to have received the BC Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery grant. Support from this program will provide our event with a brighter future and funding for the 100th anniversary in August 2022. The exhibit produces a six-day event, which brings together families from across our Peace River area and beyond. We have an annual agricultural fair, one of the eight rodeo stops on the tour in Canada, wagons, halfway and a live concert. The funding will help us return safely to hospitality activities that bring families together in a safe environment to visit and show our animals.