Culture Builds B.C. calls for greater commitment to the arts ahead of provincial election
Led by the BC Coalition of Arts, Culture, and Heritage, the nonpartisan campaign advocates for increased funding and a unified cultural strategy
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Photo by Ashley Kim
WITH THE 2026 PROVINCIAL election well under way, local organizations are urging the incoming government to support and strengthen B.C.’s arts, culture, and heritage sector.
Representing more than 188 communities and thousands of cultural organizations throughout the province, the BC Coalition of Arts, Culture, and Heritage has launched a nonpartisan campaign calling on the provincial government to increase funding and create a long-term strategic plan.
Priorities outlined by Culture Builds B.C. include increasing the annual BC Arts Council budget to $58 million, investing $1 billion over 10 years in sustainable infrastructure, permanently reinstating the Fairs, Festivals and Events funding, and implementing B.C.’s first cultural strategy.
B.C.’s arts and culture sector generates on average $24.2 billion yearly and creates more than 132,400 jobs. The province accounts for 20 per cent of all artists in Canada, and arts communities have long been pushing for increased funding amid growing administrative and financial pressures.
As per the 2026 BC Service Plan released earlier this year, the arts and culture sector is projected to face a $3.2 million—nearly 10 per cent—cut starting next year. The 2021 BC Budget lists the BC Arts Council budget as $42.3 million; with a 19.07 per cent rate of inflation over the past five years, the adjusted number amounts to $50.36 million.
The B.C. NDP has not mentioned plans for arts in their election platform, though they have promised to double the annual funding for public libraries (from $14 million to $28 million) and contribute $15 million to support the creation of a permanent Filipino Cultural Centre.
The Conservative Party of B.C. has matched the NDP’s pledge toward the cultural centre, and states in their tourism strategy that they will support the film, television, and digital industry, as well as market festivals, music, arts, exhibitions, and cultural events. Aside from a $5 million budget for their “Stand Up for British Columbia” plan that includes the promotion of arts and culture, the party has not outlined specific funding allocations for the sector. A refundable Children’s Activity Credit worth up to $500 per child annually has also been proposed to help families cover sports, recreation, music, arts, and camp expenses.
Meanwhile, the B.C. Green Party has promised to increase the annual BC Arts Council budget to $65 million. According to their election platform, the party will work with the arts, culture, and heritage sector to produce a provincial action plan, develop legislative responses to the impacts of AI, and establish a centralized service to support Indigenous communities in repatriating cultural belongings. Additional commitments include reforming the film and television tax credit and creating a licence class with lower fees and simpler zoning for small arts venues.
As the final voting day (October 24) approaches, the coalition asks voters and candidates to consider the crucial role of arts and culture in B.C.’s broader economic and social structures, highlighting core issues within the current system.
More details on the campaign can be found on the coalition's website here. 
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