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Kelowna  

Arts groups to wait and see

An announcement by the city that three professional, non-profit, arts groups in Kelowna could lose some funding is not a major concern - at least not yet.

The city annually provides grant funding to several arts and cultural groups including the Okanagan Symphony ($55,000 in 2015), Ballet Kelowna ($30,000) and the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art ($25,000).

Those three organizations were the only three to meet the lengthy criteria for a Professional Arts Operating grant.

Cultural services manager Sandra Kochan told council Monday a fourth organization is expected to meet the criteria when funding is announced early next year, meaning, if the funding pool remains the same each current organization could see a decrease of about 15 per cent.

Kochan said the three organizations have been provided fair warning of the potential change in funding.

In a statement released by Ballet Kelowna Thursday morning, artistic director and CEO, Simone Orlando said they are aware of potential changes.

"However, we are happy to see the city proactively preparing for growth within the arts community," said Orlando in her statement.

"At the end of the day any changes to our funding from the city would impact us but, at this point, we have not been notified that we will be affected. We look forward to working with the city to further sustain Ballet Kelowna."

Likewise, the Okanagan Symphony have been notified of potential changes.

Symphony executive director Robert Barr said he is aware of the potential for change, but adds it is his understanding this is not definitive.

However, he said, a 15 per cent decrease in funding, regardless of the number, would be felt.

"I don't think we are in panic mode. As with any arts organization we need to make sure we have a diversified source of funding whether it be from individual supporters, corporate sponsors, various levels of government and foundations," said Barr.

"The city is one of our significant supporters and we do rely on their support."

Barr did go on to say an emerging fourth professional group in Kelowna is positive for the cultural community.

"It suggests there is an increase in professional arts as a total here in Kelowna and that's all in all a good thing.

"We would hope down the road that the city's pool of funding is able to grow at the same rate as the arts in Kelowna as a whole."

The issue of whether to increase the funding pool may be a topic of discussion when council meets to deliberate the 2016 budget in December.



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