Dear Friends,

Considering the challenges of 2009, I am very encouraged by the participation of so many new communities, participants and, most of all, your continued involvement in presenting British Columbia’s quintessential guide for the cultural traveler and art collector.

I want to personally welcome and applaud the leadership of the following tourism associations: Tourism Langley, Tourism White Rock, Tourism Oliver and Tourism Ladysmith!

We at the Arts & Cultural Guide have been in conversation with a few communities pulling back their involvements due to economic uncertainty. While I understand, I think we all need to step back and ask ourselves this question: If we haven't stopped doing what we do - creating and promoting the arts - then it is business as usual, right? We mustn't lose the momentum we have built over the last five years; the future of BC's cultural sector lies in our hands.

Today's global challenges are our opportunity to stand out and shine, particularly as the world gathers on our doorstep in less than a year.

Be bold. Be proud of who you are. Bookmark your page in the Arts & Cultural Guide and send it to your best customers. Remind the world that you are OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

Committed to our shared future,

Currently in its third edition, close to 100,000 copies of the Vancouver Island Arts & Cultural Trail Guide have been distributed to Island arts and cultural enthusiasts throughout Canada and the world.

Interested in participating?
Contact artguide@art-bc.com.

Tourism Vancouver Island reports that 59% of total inquiries request the Arts and Cultural Trail Guide! The TAVI Guide is distributed at these annual conferences: Florida RV Supershow Quartzsite RV Supershow LA Times Travel Show Calgary Home & Garden Show Canada Blooms Edmonton Home & Garden Show and more...

Look for the Comox Valley and Nanaimo Art Walk features in the upcoming edition.

To request your copy visit Island Arts & Culture online.

Art-BC.com is getting a face lift. With a relaunch date of June 14, expect increased exposure, more listings, search engine expansion, new features, partnerships, blogs and more.

Here is a sneak preview:

When you are exploring BC’s cultural communities use locally inspired cuisine to add to your experience.

Indulge in edible experiences
Many BC restauranteurs do more than specialize in fresh fare and perfect pinots. Pairings are moving beyond the standard palate as chefs serve up edible experiences for all the senses. By providing exhibition and performance spaces, gastronomic artists are partnering with local musicians and visual artists, playing a significant role in the whole cultural experience of a community.

Look for our food features during this year’s August-long
BC Cultural Crawl.

The BC Cultural Crawl is only 4 months away!

This August, over seventy distinct communities will again participate in the 8th Annual BC Cultural Crawl, a vibrant celebration of the arts, culture and heritage of our province. In the past we worked directly with BC communities to increase exposure and invite visitors to explore each of the province’s unique cultural footprints.

Now, thanks to a new partnership with the Assembly of BC Arts Councils, we are able to build upon the successes of previous BC Cultural Crawls. This partnership opens new doors of economic opportunity and increased exposure for the annual BC Cultural Crawl and all participating arts and cultural destinations.

Participation in the 2009 BC Cultural Crawl is FREE. It’s a fantastic way to promote your arts and culture destination, your individual studio, and your community at large. Involvement is easy. Simply use the BC Cultural Crawl ToolKit and tell us about five neighbouring tourism, arts, cultural or culinary destination in your area. If there are community events taking place during August - tell us about them! And, if you have the motivation, join with your peers and organize a community art tour to coincide with the BC Cultural Crawl.

If you know other community members who would benefit from involvement, please forward this e-mail on to them. We look forward to featuring your area in the BC Cultural Crawl.

Bonus: Send us your stories and you may be featured in Canadascope Magazine and/or profiled by our sponsoring media partners.

Contact us at culturalcrawl@art-bc.com with your information.