Budget cuts to arts, culture, tourism, and heritage are affecting two art organizations in Cape Breton.
Inverness County Centre for the Arts
Inverness County Centre for the Arts feels hurt by the 20 per cent provincial budget cuts they face.
Co-Chair of the Board Tamara Deverell shared with us how they will likely have to cut programming, including their Sunset Concert Series.
She says how the cuts mean more exertion for the volunteer board.
“The thing is, the province will benefit from all of our free labour, because it will be a tourist attraction, and it will be good for the economy, and we are supporting local artists by selling their goods in the shops and showing their work,” exclaimed Deverell.
They’re feeling supported by other not-for-profit art centres in Cape Breton which are teaming up to ask the federal government for assistance.
“Investing in arts is essential because culture is like the heartbeat of Cape Breton. It’s one of our main attractions,” said Deverell.
“It’s essential for people’s health and well-being to be involved in the arts. It’s what sets us apart as humans from, you know, the rest of the animal world, that we make art, we make music, we make books, we share stories, and it’s crucial.”
She says you can help by going to their art shows, events and gallery, buying items in their store, donating, or joining as a member or volunteer.
They also offer book launches, poetry readings and yoga and meditation classes.
Find information for all these opportunities on their website.
Baddeck Theatre
Facing 30 per cent provincial budget cuts is a huge blow for Baddeck Theatre.
That’s according to their Co-Artistic Producer, Hannah Ziss who says you can help by buying tickets, making donations, or becoming a season pass holder.
She shared how art has the ability bring back return visitors to Baddeck as there’s new offerings of content to catch every year.
“What theatre and art and live performance has the ability to do in a tourism context specifically, is that it provides something to do in the evenings that makes someone go, you know what, I’ll stay on an extra night because there’s entertainment for me in the evenings or I’ll stay another day so I can catch that matinee tomorrow,” shared Ziss.
She says now they will need to make up for the shortfall of this year’s missing revenue by increasing their fundraising effort or making their own cuts including to programming or salaries.
Their upcoming theatrical performances include:
• Myth of the Ostrich by Matt Murray from July 2 to 25
• The Golden Anniversaries by Mark Crawford from August 6 to September 4
• A Theatre Baddeck Christmas from December 3 to 6
You can visit their website to purchase tickets or a season pass or donate.
Ziss encourages you to write to your MLA and tell them how much art institutions really matter to you and the community.
