Five Richmond residents, including Angela Mcilroy-Wagar, a student at National Circus School in Montreal, have received grants from the BC Arts Council totalling $43,750.
The five are among 257 grants worth a combined $2.58 million that are being distributed to artists and arts organizations throughtout B.C. as part of the latest round of successful BC Arts Council grant adjudications.
The recipients included:
• Hung Sheung (Joe Chang) ($23,000 media arts award)
• Angela Mcilroy-Wagar ($6,000 scholarship award)
• Candace L Gordon ($5,950 scholarship award)
• Karen Tennant ($5,800 scholarship award)
• Jackie Wong ($3,000 scholarship award)
Mcilroy-Wagar, an aerial performer who aspired to join Cirque de Soleil, was featured in the News (Circus career began at Steveston playground - June 7, 2013).
Recipients were chosen after the BC Arts Council’s independent peer-review process took place this past summer.
The funding is being provided for scholarship awards and media arts as well as professional development, early career development and touring initiatives in the performing arts and studio arts fields.
“The BC Arts Council Scholarship Program provides support for B.C. arts organizations and individual artists. I am very glad these students receive grants to further their creative studies,” said Richmond-East MLA Linda Reid in a press release.
“Our province values arts and culture,” Richmond-Centre MLA Teresa Wat said. “These scholarships encourage gifted youths to further their training in arts to make our community more creative and colourful.”
“I am very glad these scholarships recognize our students’ talents and effort,” Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap said. “These funds can help students develop their artistic endeavors.”
The funding is part of a record $24 million provided to the BC Arts Council by the provincial government to support the B.C.’s arts and culture sector in this fiscal year.
