In today’s Straight, Robin Laurence writes about Vancouver’s “Patron Saints” of the arts: painter Joe Plaskett and real-estate developer Michael Audain. Along with the VIVA (Vancouver Institute for the Visual Arts) awards funded by the Jack and Doris Shadbolt Foundation, now “emerging, mid-career, and senior artists all benefit from cash awards created by extraordinary British Columbians. It’s the best of giving in the visual arts.”

The stories about these new patrons are interesting and inspiring and set an example of giving to the arts and culture in BC.

You may be interested in also reading about the late Shadbolts, who contributed greatly to BC’s art scene: painter Jack Shadbolt, and curator Doris Shadbolt.

And, the Lt. Governor’s speech at the 2004 VIVA Awards and Audain Prize presentation.