Fifteen thousand dollars is burning a hole in the Squamish Arts Council's pocket.
At an open house on Thursday, (Nov. 14), the volunteer board sent a shout out to artists in the community, letting them know there's money earmarked for their projects.
"We want that opportunity to assist you," board member Linda Bachman said.
Besides handing out cash, the arts council is busy building on its foundations, council chair Doug Hackett said.
"We are not a promoter. We are not out there putting on shows," he said. "Our job is to create opportunities."
The council is working closely with the District of Squamish, Quest University and Tourism Squamish, Hackett said. In September, the organization sat down with Mayor Rob Kirkham. On top of its list was a dedicated SAC contact within the district and a municipal public art policy. The arts council is slated to meet with district staff within the next couple of weeks to move the requests forward.
SAC's board is in discussions with the 小蓝视频 Arts Council, Hackett said. The provincial organization hands out grants based on a community's population to aid with arts councils' administrative duties. SAC is getting its paperwork in order to dip into that piggy bank, Hackett said.
"Next September we will be eligible for continued funding," he said, noting the aim is to create a permanent part-time position within the arts council.
SAC is also sitting down with art councils throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor, from Lions Bay to Pemberton, board member Chili Thom said. The bodies plan to build ties and share resources, he said.
"We are going to be way more informed on when grants are coming in. Now we have the resources of five arts councils," Thom said.
Amidst all the administrative work, SAC is aiding proponents of Kingswood development - a 420-residential unit project adjacent to the upper Mamquam Blind Channel - to piece together a $50,000 public arts plan.
The arts council needs more members and volunteers to help keep all its balls in the air, board member Michelle Neilson said.
"We need your voices, so that we are taking the whole community forward," she said.
For more information on SAC visit www.squamishartscouncil.com.
