Several Whistler organizations recently received unexpected gaming grants from the provincial government.
The Whistler grants, announced on March 24 by Premier Christy Clark, total $33,550 and were primarily awarded to organizations for their children’s programs, as per Clark’s focus on spending for children and families.
The two largest Whistler grants were awarded to the Whistler Museum and Archives Society, and the Whistler Arts Council (WAC), with $22,000 and $6,000 respectively.
“When I found out I almost fell off of my chair,” laughed Leah Batisse, curator of the Whistler Museum and Archives Society. “When I first heard about the new premier putting money back into gaming I assumed it would be for the next granting cycle. I had no indication that the money would be going in immediately, so it was quite a shock for us.”
It means that all of our summer programming budgets have just doubled, which is just astounding.”
With gaming grants, organizations are required to use the funds for purposes specified by the province. In the case of the Whistler Museum, programs like the summer walking tours, the Lego competition and family programming will all receive a funding boost.
“It just means that we’re going to be able to put more money into those programs and maybe do a little bit more. Like instead of having one event for families during the summer we might be able to do something every week (in) June, July and August.”
Over at WAC, Executive Director Doti Niedermayer is also happy about receiving some funding.
“Any money is good money. We’re very happy for the (Children’s Art Festival) because it makes a huge amount of difference. It makes for three bands on the stage and significant programming,” said Niedermayer.
But Niedermayer is concerned that arts funding from gaming grants is still sorely lacking compared to levels prior to 2009.
“Two years ago they cut all funding to the arts, and then last year they re-implemented funding to children’s programs. All of the arts groups in the province, everyone is still really, really struggling. We’re all very worried,” explained Niedermayer.
WAC and other arts councils around the province relied heavily upon gaming grants before the provincial government cut them, she said.
“ArtWalk and Whistler Art Workshops on The Lake took a huge hit when the funding from gaming was cut,” she explained. “Those programs are like they were back in 2008 — they haven’t grown. It (the grants) was a significant source of money, so it’s sad.”
Batisse echoed Niedermayer’s concerns, hoping that future grants will become a more consistent occurrence once more.
“Last year we had zero dollars for our summer programming and it was really tough,” explained Batisse. “We had to be really resourceful to find ways to make it all work. It was rewarding but hard work, so it’s so nice to know that this summer we have the money to do what we want to do and bring the museum out into the community again.”
Remarked Niedermayer, “We’re not back to where we were with gaming and there’s still a lot of fighting that the arts groups in B.C. are undertaking to try and get the grants back at those levels, but it’s a good sign.”
