Giving Tuesday 2025

On this Giving Tuesday, we are happy to share that your engagement with County Arts over the past year has helped us to award an incredible $324,778 through grants, awards, scholarships, professional fees, and employment opportunities! But with our operating funding sources and earned revenue streams generating 60% of our overall budget, we rely on donations and sponsorships to help us provide opportunities to 15,000 artists and participants each year.

One of the many ways we champion local artists is through our grant program—the Artist Fund. With no government backing, it proudly stands as the only program of its kind in the province. Since its launch in 2017, this little engine of innovation has powered big opportunities—awarding nearly $50,000 to 40 talented local artists!

For example, in 2025 the Artist Fund helped Ophelia Spinosa present her film “Yves et Ses Bonsaïs” at the Cannes Festival Short Film Market, and attend mentorship sessions with Film Strategist Berthe Siward.

“During my time at Cannes, I established new connections with producers, directors, funding agencies, and national distributors. The funding provided by County Arts was instrumental in facilitating this opportunity.”

The Artist Fund also helped Naomi Okabe attend the Banff Centre’s inaugural Science Fiction Literary Residency, where she worked on drafting and refining two short stories for a planned collection.

“I learned from a cohort of incredible writers in the genre, and received invaluable mentorship from faculty members. Growing up in nearby Invermere BC, I went to the Banff Centre to see writers speak with my high school creative writing class. It was so impactful to be welcomed there as an artist.”

Visit our social media channels to hear more from our 2025 Artist Fund recipients.

We could not offer this unique program without community support. Please donate today, so that together we can continue to redefine what a rural arts council can be!