Background
General Information & Funding
The Bulkley Valley Community Arts Council (BVCAC) is a long standing democratic organization constituted to increase awareness of and access to the arts for residents of the Bulkley Valley. Established in 1980, the BVCAC serves the communities of Telkwa, Smithers, Witset and the Hazeltons.
The BVCAC is pleased that through its member groups, it is able to broadly serve the arts community by supporting and encouraging the arts in all fields, regardless of age, religion, sex or ethnic origin. The BVCAC receives its money through government grants (Town of Smithers, RDBN, BC Arts Council), fundraising, membership fees and community donations. The annual grant from the Town of Smithers qualifies the Council to receive a matching grant from the provincial arts council.
Most of the BVCAC budget is used for our community grant and scholarship programs. Applications from groups are carefully evaluated with an eye to need, community benefit, degree of activity and other criteria set forth in our policies. The BVCAC also has an annual scholarship award program for graduating high school students going on to advanced post-secondary study in the arts. Subsidized liability insurance is also available for BVCAC members who qualify under our policy.
The Role of the BVCAC in the Community
The BVCAC acts as a mediator and coordinator among arts groups. As the first point of contact for outside arts agencies (schools, performing groups, juried arts shows, funding organizations), the BVCAC is able to collect and disseminate this information through the arts community where it can do the most good.
The BVCAC stands as a group dedicated to furthering the arts in the community, and by making the most of its small budget, it significantly enhances the cultural life of the community.
