The Province is providing a historic contribution of $42 million to support people and businesses working in motion picture, music, publishing and interactive digital media industries in British Columbia.
“In honour of Creative Industries Week, we are pleased to announce the largest-ever single investment in the creative sector,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “We know the pandemic has been especially hard on the people in this area and that not every business has fully recovered. We want to help them recover, move forward with success and strength, and continue to create the content we all love.”
The new funding includes:
- $22.5 million over three years for Amplify BC to build the province’s music talent and help launch careers;
- $15.9 million over three years to support B.C.’s domestic motion picture productions, workforce and creators, which includes $900,000 for programs that focus on developing workers’ skills, recruiting more workers from under-represented groups, and supporting practices that are environmentally friendly;
- $3 million over three years for a new program to support innovation and growth for independent B.C.-owned interactive digital media companies; and
- $600,000 over three years for the publishing industry, as announced on April 17, 2023, to address immediate supply-chain challenges and provide additional support for a sustainable future.
“It is exciting to have the opportunity to support B.C.’s creators,” said Bob D’Eith, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film. “Whether they are performers, producers, designers or publishers, people and businesses in the creative industries tell our stories and share our culture with the world, and we are proud of the amazing work they do every day.”
New funding to the creative sector supports B.C. businesses and jobs, and maximizes value for local communities. The Province heard from the sector that the music and publishing industries were continuing to struggle and that the motion picture and digital media industries needed support to take advantage of new opportunities. The funding will strengthen the entire sector to better weather global shifts, making it more competitive and sustainable in the years ahead.
“We are absolutely thrilled for the sector for this new investment of $42 million into B.C.’s creative industries,” said Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC. “This multi-year strategic funding could not come at a better time to help elevate the province’s creative sector. From film and music to publishing and digital media, this support will position B.C. storytellers and their companies for success at home and around the world.”
Nearly 120,000 people work in B.C.’s creative industries. The funding will support content creation by local creators and businesses. It will also help attract business and promote more activity in B.C., while fostering development, innovation and partnerships. That means more opportunities for B.C. creators and more secure jobs for people throughout the province.
The creative sector helps promote and showcase B.C. on the global stage, and it supports the province’s reputation as a prime destination for tourists, as well as talent and creators from around the world. The sector also plays an important role in building healthy and vibrant communities by providing jobs, inspiring youth and fostering opportunities for community connections through festivals and events that support local businesses and workers.
Learn More:
To read about provincial support for the book and magazine publishing industry in B.C., visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023TACS0011-000508
Creative BC: https://www.creativebc.com/
Canadian Media Producers Association - BC Branch: https://cmpa.ca/cmpa-bc/
Amplify BC: https://www.creativebc.com/services/funding-programs/music-sound-recording-programs/amplify-bc/
Music BC: https://musicbc.org/
DigiBC: https://www.digibc.org/cpages/home
The Association of Book Publishers of BC: https://books.bc.ca/
Magazine Association of BC: https://magsbc.com/