On the eve of an important by-election in Vancouver’s BC riding of Point Grey, the Pacific Association of Artist-run Centres (PAARC) would like to take this opportunity to wish all candidates the best and hope for a large voter turn-out.

In 2009, the BC Government imposed severe cuts to provincial arts investment. These cuts were both unprecedented and unique in Canada, and have left the province’s cultural industry in crisis.

Since many supporters and patrons of BC’s cultural organizations live in the Point Grey riding, we hope that voters make close consideration of candidates’ cultural platforms, and let their would-be MLAs know that arts funding will impact the way they vote. In doing so, voters will set the tone of the next provincial general election and contribute to a more vibrant cultural sector in British Columbia.