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Exhibits and opera: Three Coquitlam groups clinch BC Arts Council cash

The Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam Heritage and re:Naissance will receive an early Christmas present from the provincial government.
debi-wong_photo-by-dahlia-katz
Debi Wong of re:Naissance Opera is from Coquitlam.

Three Coquitlam-based groups won grants from the BC Arts Council, the provincial government announced this week.

The Evergreen Cultural Centre Society is getting $18,965 for project assistance under the visual arts organization category, while the Coquitlam Heritage Society will receive $13,150 as a public museum.

re:Naissance Opera, founded by Coquitlam resident Debi Wong, has also earned $12,000 for project assistance to a professional performing arts organization.

More than 250 artists and arts groups in B.C. will split $2.7 million in BC Arts Council funding.

"These grants are an important part of increasing access to arts funding for a broader range of organizations and individual artists," said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, in a news release.

"These grants are being provided at a critical time when B.C. artists and arts organizations are rebounding from the pandemic to increase opportunities and benefit a greater diversity of artists and arts organizations working in B.C.'s vibrant arts and culture sector."

Meanwhile, following consultation with arts and culture stakeholders this year, the BC Arts Council is now reviewing its funding structure to better help the arts and culture community be more inclusive.

This year, the province earmarked a total of $35.8 million for the BC Arts Council.