British ColumbiaArts advocates are calling on the province for an action plan as B.C. music venues, galleries and groups struggle to cover rising costs, including in Penticton where the local art gallery has laid off staff and an iconic performance space ran its final show. Advocates say provincial action plan and more stable funding needed Tiffany Goodwein · CBC News · Posted: Oct 13, 2025 9:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoThe Dream Cafe in Penticton, B.C., held its last show on Sept. 6. The iconic venue has hosted hundreds of artists since it opened nearly 25 years ago. (Tiffany Goodwein/CBC)As rising costs hit British Columbians in all areas of life, advocates say arts organizations across the province are struggling to keep up.That’s been the case for two well-established, creative institutions in Penticton, B.C.: The Dream Cafe and the Penticton Art Gallery.The Dream Cafe, a performance space cherished by local and touring musicians alike, held its last show on Sept. 6. In a social media post about its closure, the venue said it had always struggled financially, but that its operating costs had risen “dramatically” since the pandemic.”Despite tireless efforts, the financial reality has become unsustainable,” it said.For singer-songwriter Kym Gouchie, it’s a major loss. When she heard the café was in its final days, her heart sank.”It was instant sadness, and a feeling as though I had lost something very personal to me,” she said.Thompson Rivers University cuts 4 visual arts programsThe Juno-nominee has played at the iconic venue numerous times.”It’s like a bucket-list venue and I really feel for those artists who have not had the opportunity to play there.”Part of the appeal, according to Gouchie, is the venue’s intimate listening room, which provided a unique experience for both artists and guests.”It is the only place that I have ever been in where they have messages on the table that say ‘Shh quiet, we are here to listen to the artists.'”In an email to CBC News, The Dream Cafe said it is exploring options to keep the venue open, including finding potential investors and converting itself into a non-profit society so it can apply for grants.Art gallery layoffsThe Penticton Art Gallery is also having financial difficulties. In August, it laid off a staff member and temporarily laid off its curator for a three-month period to save money while its board evaluates next steps. In 2024, it also temporarily laid off three staff members due to cash flow issues.The Penticton Art Gallery issued a temporary layoff for its curator citing financial challenges. (Tiffany Goodwein/CBC)Along with the layoffs, the gallery reduced its opening hours, but said its scheduled community programming wouldn’t be affected.In Mackenzie, B.C., a former gurdwara is finding new life as small town demographics changePresident Claude Roberto said the gallery relies on memberships, donations, grants and fundraising. It also relies heavily on volunteers, and plays an important role in the town.”It’s important to attract people to smaller communities, it is good for the economy. It is good for artists in Penticton to see that they are supported,” she said.Since 2019, the city has contributed $1.75 million in support for the Penticton Art Gallery, including roughly $259,000 this year. Annabel Stanley, a local artist, says she wants art to remain accessible in the city.”Art is not just for people with money. Art is for people of all walks of life,” she said.Money woes widespreadThe financial challenges are present in larger cities too. In the Lower Mainland, the Vancouver Art Gallery announced in July that it would be cutting nearly 30 percent of its programming and staff due to finances.The Vancouver Art Gallery is among numerous arts organizations in B.C. that have cited financial challenges in recent years. (Maggie MacPherson/CBC)Rainbow Robert, executive director of B.C. Alliance for Arts and Culture, says these types of cuts are happening to arts organizations across the province.”Every element of the work that people undertake to bring art to communities has become so expensive, and really so many of these institutions, small organizations, aren’t in a position where they can increase the costs to meet those increased expenses,” she said.World–renowned artists open new gallery in small community of Enderby, B.C.Robert says the arts have a critical role in community vibrancy, health and diversity.The organization is advocating for a provincial action plan and for more stable, predictable funding, including boosting the B.C Arts Council’s funding to $58 million a year, a nearly $21 million increase from 2024.The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport says it recognizes the challenges arts groups are facing. Last year, the province provided $37.1 million to support 1,300 artists through the B.C. Arts Council. Another $21 million in community and gaming grants went to support 776 arts and culture groups across B.C.Back in Penticton, Mayor Julius Bloomfield said he believes arts and culture are “alive and well” in the city.”It’s expanding, and I think it is that expansion that we are seeing of both visual and performing arts that people get spread a little thinner among the different venues and so the venues have to compensate or coordinate to ensure they get bums in seats,” he said. ABOUT THE AUTHORTiffany Goodwein is an award-winning journalist focused on covering Penticton and the south Okanagan area of British Columbia. She previously spent six years reporting in Alberta and is happy to be back home in B.C., where she grew up. You can contact her at tiffany.goodwein@cbc.ca
From closures to layoffs, B.C. arts organizations struggle to stay afloat
