Arts Council Wood Buffalo (ACWB) is now a registered charity.
The local arts committee announced their application to the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Corporate Registry Alberta was successful.
Board Chair Dave Boutilier said the change provides more opportunities for artists in the region.
“We started this initiative after the Wood Buffalo arts community first described the future to us: one where artists are free to create and grow without being forced to relocate. This, in turn, solidifies a community healing from a disaster.”
Boutilier added the status change is a milestone for the community as a whole.
The ACWB registered as a charity under the Income Tax Act.
The Process
ACWB Executive Director Liana Wheeldon said the group first applied on December 19, 2017.
She said working with the CRA was easy, in spite of the amount of time and paperwork involved.
“We are so excited at the opportunities that achieving charitable status will bring to our organization and our arts community.”
If the group didn’t change, the ACWB would continue to support the arts community as a non-profit organization.
However, Wheeldon said it would be more difficult to grow without the access to funds being a charity provides.
“I think that would be a shame, at a time when arts really seems to have quite a groundswell for support, particularly with this mayor and council, and the community in general as we all work together to make this community a hometown, not a boomtown.”
She added the arts are crucial to maintaining a balanced and thriving region and providing for more artists in the region.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to channel that into more funding for the artists and arts organizations here in Wood Buffalo.”
During the coming months, the ACWB will restructure their donation procedures.
Opportunities for individuals and groups looking to sponsor events are still available.
Tickets for the Wood Buffalo Excellence in Arts Awards will be available in September.
The awards show takes place on October 19, 2019.
