The BC Arts Council has awarded more than $930,000 in grants throughout the province to support local artists and cultural organizations, announced Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Stan Hagen.

"We all benefit from a strong arts and culture presence in B.C.," said Hagen. "Creative and talented communities not only enrich the lives of our residents, but also bring millions of visitors to our province each year - helping us reach our goal of doubling tourism in the next decade."

BC Arts Council grants were awarded to a variety of arts and culture organizations, as well as to individual artists, to help strengthen and expand a wide range of artistic disciplines in B.C., including music, visual arts, literature, theatre and dance.

"BC Arts Council grants give artists a chance to create an ambitious work or study under a master," said BC Arts Council chair Don Shumka. "With these grants, we're able to provide valuable financial assistance that is helping to sustain and encourage arts and culture activity throughout the province."

The British Columbia Arts Council is the Province's primary agency for supporting arts and culture programs in B.C. In the 2005/2006 budget, the annual funding to the BC Arts Council was increased by $3 million to $13.95 million.

To date, over $144 million has been provided through BC Arts Council grants to arts and cultural organizations and individual artists in British Columbia.

For more information on the British Columbia Arts Council, visit www.bcartscouncil.ca.