There are some very cool arts organizations in NorthIsle. Super talented people put on theatre productions and music shows. World-class dancers and artists make NorthIsle a cultural hub. And folks give back to the community through programs for kids and kids-at-heart.
But arts organizations got hit hard by COVID. Without money from local people and tourists, lots of places struggled to keep the lights on.
In December, the province put together grant funding for the arts communities to help them recover from the past couple of years. Now, these successful NorthIsle organizations are about to get a funding bump:
- Campbell River Art Gallery;
- Campbell River Arts Council;
- Cortes Island Museum & Archives Society;
- Museum at Campbell River;
- U’mista Cultural Centre;
- BC Movement Arts Society; and
- Tidemark Theatre Society
The coolest part about the extra funding is how much goes back into the community.
First of all, the creative folks in NorthIsle get to put on these incredible shows, and we get to go see them.
We can see the dance shows by BC Movement Arts Society. We can check out the International Fly Fishing Film Festival at Tidemark Theatre. And we can take boat tours to learn about the region through the Museum at Campbell River.
Second, the community programs get a boost.
Like the culture nights and art workshops at U’mista Cultural Society. And the Thursday morning open art sessions for unhoused folks at the Campbell River Art Gallery.
There’s no doubt about it; there’s a ton of talent on NorthIsle.
And it’s nice to see folks getting funding in hard times.
