Dear Friends,

As Canadians we are typically modest but we have much to boast about, particularly in the province of British Columbia. Rated one of the best places to live in the world, year after year, and filled with creative expression of every persuasion, 2009 is BC’s best year yet.

The Arts and Cultural Guide to BC, now in its 11th year, has never been more an expression of the optimism and creativity that resides in every corner of our province. For over ten years I have personally watched communities bring out the best in themselves through cooperative grassroots efforts.

This is particularly true in the arts, heritage and cultural communities of our province. We, at the Art Guide, have developed an integrated marketing strategy for communities, arts councils and cultural organizations to come together to promote their unique cultural footprint.

One of the many success stories is the BC Cultural Crawl, now in its 8th year, where communities come together, creating a citywide arts and cultural walk and open their doors to the public. The Cultural Crawl is your tool to connect you and your neighbours, to work together and promote your community.

To participate in the 2009 BC Cultural Crawl and take advantage of FREE PROVINCIAL PUBLICITY fill in the 2009 BC Cultural Crawl Participant Form (e-mail artguide@art-bc.com to request your form) and start planning!

I serve as the Cultural Crawl Ambassador in my home community of New Westminster, and each year is its own reward as the momentum in our city grows. I encourage you to step up to the plate and serve as the Cultural Ambassador in your community.

With stronger community features than ever before, we are excited to present this year’s Arts & Cultural Guide across the province and for our 2010 visitors . The guide features an expanded Northern BC section, map of BC’s First Nation’s communities, a comprehensive BC Cultural Crawl list of events and so much more.

As well, for the third year in a row, 30,000 copies of an expanded 32-page Arts & Cultural Trail Guide to Vancouver Island will also hit BC this month. With over 1 million copies of the Guide in print, we continue to expand our reach. Look for the Guide on major BC Ferries routes, lower mainland cruise ship terminals, YVR, Peace Arch Border Crossing, the Port Angeles’ Tourist Bureau, Visitor Info Centres, BCAA offices and the numerous studios and businesses of our fantastic participants.

We are thrilled to announce the relaunch of Art-BC.com -- where your cultural adventure within British Columbia begins! New features include: a whole new look, an expanded search engine, more listings, new partnerships, image galleries and more. Check back often!

We are thrilled to partner with Victoria’s Historic Inns for this year’s Art of the Getaway Contest. Stay tuned for contest details in the newly released 2009-2010 Arts & Cultural Guide to BC and the re-launch of www.art-bc.com.

Visit one of the nine Victoria Historic Inns and experience all of the luxury of a fine hotel, and all of the intimacy of a bed and breakfast inn.

Enter to Win! Email us at getaway@art-bc.com with your story of how the guide has helped you create your own great cultural getaway!

With close to 90 communities expected to participate in this year’s 8th annual BC Cultural Crawl, 2009 marks the largest province-wide event to date! Don’t miss out. Simply email us your prepared community cultural crawl or complete our BC Cultural Crawl Participant Form to update us about the events taking place in your community throughout the month of August. Email artguide@art-bc.com to request your form. Welcome to new participating communities: Tumbler Ridge and the Circle Farm Tours!