A great deal of news has circulated lately about the provincial budget, the state of funding for the British Columbia Arts Council (BCAC) and the status of gaming funds for cultural organizations.

Over the past several months, the executive of the BCAC, the B.C. Museums Association and the Heritage Society of B.C. kept museums and galleries around the province informed as events unfolded.

How is the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre (CDM) affected by changes in the budget? As of yet, we do not have the full story.

To put things into perspective, on average, over the past three years, the museum received 33% of its annual budget from the City of Courtenay, 11% through the Valley Charitable Bingo Society, 7% from the province and 2% from the CVRD—a total of 53% of grant revenues.

The other 47%, or almost half of the revenue equation, is generated by board and staff from programmes, donations, archival services, admissions and the gift shop. Budget planning focuses on strengthening public services and generating revenues to support all museum services and collection responsibilities.

We know, as of this week, that the CDM’s bingo fund, which has been maintained for 20 years with enduring staff and volunteers (and extended families of both) is intact until the fall, at which time, the museum will reapply. We also know that the province will be focusing on programmes for children, which comprise approximately 90% of our programming. We are still waiting for more news about the BCAC and hope that this fund, which helps to set a benchmark for the quality of programming in B.C., is maintained.

To date, the museum has participated in supporting funding for arts and culture in B.C. by writing to the Honourable Rich Coleman Minister of Housing and Social Development, attending sessions given by the BCAC, and maintaining contact with M.L.A. Don McRae and provincial organizations.

Times are challenging--but they always are in the growing sectors of arts, culture and tourism in British Columbia. The CDM will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2011. Fortunately, this long track record, has forged the principle that, maintaining a healthy balance between grants and self-generated revenues keeps the museum prepared for fiscal shifts and provides funders with a good return on their investment.

Deborah Griffiths
Executive Director