REGINA, SK, April 3, 2023 - Following a 2.5% increase to SK Arts' appropriation in the 2023/24 budget, SK Arts announced how it plans to distribute the funds. The increase is the first to the agency’s general funds since 2011, not including occasional designated funds for specific purposes.
Cory Furman, Board Chair, says “This increase is a positive sign for the agency and our partners in the arts community, and we thank the Government and the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport for their confidence in our work. What a wonderful way to mark the 75th anniversary of SK Arts.”
The agency also received a funding increase towards specific programs from Sask Lotteries as a result of its ongoing partnership with SaskCulture.
The funds will go towards:
- Supporting PAOP companies with an increase to their grant that matches the percentage increase SK Arts received from the Province.
- SK Arts’ overall grant budget for 2023/24 will increase by 4.3% over the 2022/23 budget, owing to the increased Sask Lotteries funding.
- Responding to fall 2022 arts community consultation by SK Arts, additional funding will be used to:
- Return to pre-pandemic travel budgets, allowing program staff to have a renewed presence at funded activities.
- Invest in SK Arts' internal development for 2023/24, exploring ways to increase the availability of resources for SK Arts and the arts community.
CEO Michael Jones says, "Since we have recently engaged the community around SK Arts' priorities as part of our strategic planning process, we are pleased - already - to have been able to invest some of the new funds in areas that were identified by our artists."
Specific details will be relayed to PAOP-funded organizations with the approval of your 2023/24 funds within the next two weeks.
Contact:
Shandean Reid
Communications Strategist
306-519-5892