August 18, 2010
Arts Funding to Support Anti-Racism

PRINCE GEORGE – The Province is providing $25,000 to Sarah L. Cunningham Consulting to promote multiculturalism and anti-racism through interactive and collaborative workshops that include music, performance and visual arts.

"The Prince George community is very diverse and it’s important for us to continually consider inclusiveness and encouraging artistic expression is a great way to learn about other cultures," says Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. "A lot of great work to combat racism has been done in our community by organizations such as Immigrant and Multicultural Services and I am hopeful that this project will build on that foundation."

"Using art is an innovative way to engage youth and adults on topics of multiculturalism and racism," says Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell.

The combined federal and provincial funding is being provided through EmbraceBC, a program that works to inspire residents, community members and sector leaders to welcome, accept and embrace difference within their communities.

Projects chosen for funding include a youth-generated photo blog that will focus on multicultural awareness; a community choir that emphasizes inclusion and self-expression; and a school-twinning program that will see urban students use written words, along with arts and crafts, to connect with students from a rural First Nations school.

Each project will receive up to $25,000, and all projects will be completed by March 31, 2011.

To learn more about Shirley’s work in Prince George-Valemount, visit www.shirleybondmla.bc.ca and follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/shirleybond.

To learn more about Pat’s work in Prince George-Mackenzie, visit www.patbellmla.bc.ca.

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