Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 22, 2009 7:00 PM
An art gallery claims it’s being brushed aside by local politicians. The North Okanagan Artists Alternative, which operates Gallery Vertigo, is questioning why similar agencies receive guaranteed annual funding from Greater Vernon taxpayers but it doesn’t. “There’s been a reluctance for a long time to enlarge the circle for arts and culture,” said director Judith Jurica. “We fill a niche that didn’t exist. We provide programs that didn’t exist and we don’t compete with the other groups.” The frustration escalated recently when the city turned down a $15,000 grant request, saying Gallery Vertigo had already received help in 2009. “It made us look like we were money-grubbing and asking twice. We’re fiscally responsible,” said Jurica, adding that the application was for 2010. City officials, though, say any applications made this year are for 2009 and the process for next year has not begun yet. “They can apply again in 2010 but the funding has to be in the budget,” said Kevin Bertles, finance manager.
Coun. Patrick Nicol also defends the process that was followed. “We’ve stepped up to the plate and helped them,” he said. The city provided the gallery with $10,000 each in 2008 and 2009, but Jurica insists stable funding is required for the long-term. “We can survive but we can’t operate the programs we’d like to offer,” she said of the facility that draws artists, writers and musicians. “Everyone here wants to continue. We depend on it so much.” The $15,000 would have allowed the gallery to hire its one employee (Jurica ) for 11 hours a week. The gallery’s annual budget ranges from $35,000 to $40,000 and a B.C. Gaming grant has been lost. That’s why Jurica believes the city and the North Okanagan Regional District — which is responsible for culture — should rally behind it. “We’re providing an important service to the community.” Appeals have been made to NORD before, but any requests for funding have been denied. “We will apply to regional district again for next year but I don’t hold out much hope,” said Jurica. Nicol, who is NORD vice-chairman, is hopeful his colleagues from Vernon, Coldstream and the BX will consider assistance. “The gallery is a natural fit for the regional district. They do excellent work,” he said.
1 comment:
A Tyee reader responds to
"Flex Your Muscles BC Arts Community":
dude
04-09-2009
Art vs. Arts Administration
There is arts and there is arts administration.A friend of mine a longtime artist and musician used to joke when he wants to make arts he just sits down and begins when his boyfriend wants to make art he writes a grant- if he gets the grant he makes the art if he doesn't -oh well...
Naturally it is terrible and typical (unfortunately) that the Liberals have taken money that should be allotted to the arts and put it aside for the Olympics.It is also unfortunate that a lot of fine arts organizations are not receiving the money they have been promised -all totally wrong.
But I also believe that the arts should not have to be justified economically and that includes any expectation of making money from the arts -the arts in my opinion once represented something that subverted society -something where one didn't have to go through an arts system a degree, a second degree, a circle jerk of galleries a complete professionilization of their character and as a result sterilization of their purpose.
A someone who has been involved in any number of art making projects and had the occasional show in galleries (only to learn what a limiting experience they are -a circle jerk where a reviewer comes in reads the catalogue notes regurgiatates and repeats)my experience is I make it because I am compelled to, there is rarely any product or financial reward and in that way I am free-free to create and question as I like and avoid the whole limiting nonsense of the arts administration system.
That said,I am glad that such a system exists -it serves as a symbol of our societies priorities and also offers the opportunity for a few valuable projects to be funded. Curiously Charles's fine piece on the digital archive has received one comment-this from a latte lefty audience like The Tyee... so who is really interested in art and who is more simply interested in the politics thereof?
Grant Shilling
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