Keep Arts and Culture in the City of Vancouver's 2020 Budget
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First: thank you. With your help, we sent 169 letters to MLAs in support of arts and culture in the provincial budget. But arts advocacy never rests: Vancouverites, we need your help again.
The City of Vancouver recently released its 2020 draft budget, which included a $925,000 increase to Cultural Services. In order to make sure the proposed increase goes through, we need everyone from the Vancouver arts, culture and heritage communities to offer their support before the budget is considered on December 3.
We've prepared a letter of support for you to send to Mayor Kennedy Stewart and members of City Council. Simply download the PDF here (you can also find the body of the letter below), then go to the City of Vancouver's Contact Council page. Either copy and paste the body of the letter into the form, or include the PDF as an attachment. Fill out your info and that's it! Another day's advocacy done.
Additionally, we encourage the arts and culture sector to show up on December 3 for a special Council meeting at which the budget will be considered. The BC Alliance will be there, and we hope to see you there, too.
Every letter counts! Let the Mayor and Council know why arts, culture and heritage matter to you.
Dear Mayor Stewart and Councillors Bligh, Boyle, Carr, De Genova, Dominato, Fry, Hardwick, Kirby-Yung, Swanson and Wiebe,
I am writing to you as a citizen of the City of Vancouver to commend you for the proposed $925,000 increase to Cultural Services, as outlined in the draft version of the 2020 Budget. The effects of that increased support will make a significant difference for the City’s artists and arts organizations.
As the Budget is finalized, I understand that Mayor and Council are faced with difficult choices to keep Vancouver's economy sustainable. I believe investing in arts, culture and creativity can help the people of this City face the significant challenges of our times – from climate change to mental illness to homelessness. I ask that you follow through on the proposed essential increased investment in Cultural Services, in order for the City to best fulfill the potential of Culture|Shift, the new culture plan; to support Indigenous and equity-seeking artists; to improve the overall well-being and sense of community in Vancouver; and to allow the City’s artists to fill their essential role in leading the charge to tackle the important social issues of our time.
BC has the highest number of artists per capita than any other Canadian province or territory, and the arts have a significant economic impact – they contribute over $7.1B to the provincial GDP and employ over 98,000 people. The social impacts of the arts are even greater, yet difficult to measure, because they are experienced emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and even physically.
The latest research clearly illustrates that human creativity contributes to the health and well-being of all members of society, particularly those who are marginalized. The arts are making a real difference in the lives of people living with dementia, youth at risk, people experiencing homelessness and those who are incarcerated. Arts, culture and language are essential for true reconciliation, a core pillar for economic and societal health and wellness.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I hope you will continue to support the growth of arts, culture and creativity in Vancouver.
(Cut image: “Bringing Light to Darkness”)
