City boosts support for Vancouver’s arts, culture, and creative sector
July 10 2018 Vancouver City Council approves recommendations to support cultural spaces and Vancouver’s music industry
“Vancouver’s vibrant, diverse arts and culture community puts us on the map as a city with a thriving creative scene,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson.
Vancouver’s arts and culture scene looks to the future with immediate actions approved by Council today to secure, enhance and develop vibrant, affordable, and accessible spaces across the city. In a further commitment to the creative sector, $400,000 has been secured in funding for the music community, recognizing the critical role music plays in the social and economic development of Vancouver.
“Vancouver’s vibrant, diverse arts and culture community puts us on the map as a city with a thriving creative scene,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “These actions will crank up support for our growing arts and culture community, create and preserve important spaces, and focus the city on ensuring that creative people are able to stay and build a future in Vancouver.”
The approved recommendations come from two reports presented in council today, Making Space for Arts and Culture: 2018 Cultural Infrastructure Plan interim report and the Vancouver Music Strategy interim report.
“Today’s reports demonstrate the City’s ongoing commitment to keeping Vancouver’s cultural and creative sector vibrant and innovative,” says Sandra Singh, General Manager for Arts, Culture and Community Services. “We’re proud to live and work in a city which supports these important industries and look forward to putting the recommendations into action, not only for creators and producers but also for residents, businesses, and visitors who benefit from a thriving and vibrant creative sector.”
Making space for arts and culture
Focusing on spaces where artists and creative workers can live, work, and share their work, the 2018 Cultural Infrastructure Plan supports Vancouver’s creative and cultural sector at a time when nearly two-thirds of artists in the city live below the poverty line.
While creative and cultural industries – both in Vancouver and across the world – are experiencing rapid growth, the affordability crisis continues to contribute to a loss of cultural spaces and contribute to displacement of artists and other creative workers.
In recognition of this, city-wide targets for arts, cultural and creative spaces will be developed to reflect the needs of the community. Policies, zoning, regulatory and other tools, will also be explored in order to secure and develop such spaces and hubs.
Other key recommendations
- Developing a framework with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and Urban Indigenous communities to support improved visibility and self-determined cultural spaces.
- Engaging with the community and partners on planning and feasibility studies for City-owned spaces such as the museums in Vanier Park, the Orpheum and the Firehall Theatre.
- Exploring options for temporary stabilization funds for non-profit organizations in crisis due to escalating rent, while advocating with the Province for a “Split Tax Bill”.
- Leveraging opportunities and partnerships to benefit from knowledge sharing and research, including potentially joining the World Cities Culture Forum – a network convening 32 vibrant cities from across the globe.
The Cultural Infrastructure Plan is an update to the Cultural Facilities Priorities Plan presented in 2008. View the full list of recommendations (6 MB)
Music strategy
Vancouver is home to a vibrant, diverse and world-class music industry, which generates significant economic impact, contributes to community well-being and is a vital part of the city’s social, artistic, and creative ecology.
The $400,000 in approved one-time funding will support grants to Vancouver-based, music-focused projects in partnership with other agencies and funders, as well as a temporary full-time staff resource focused on the music community and completing final report recommendations. View the Music Strategy interim report (9 MB).
These initiatives will support Vancouver’s arts and cultural community during a two-year period, in advance of the completion and Council’s approval of the Creative City Strategy. View the report (45 KB).
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