Views: Advocacy Update

Dear artists and arts supporters,

I want to first of all thank all of you for your work in the last several weeks to communicate your thoughts and arguments and your support for the arts and cultural sector through your curtain speeches, letters, rallies, presentations and general advocacy work. The arts community has come together with its boards, stakeholders and communities like never before, and we have been heard. This was very clear in our meeting with the Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture on Nov 30th, here at our Alliance offices, and by the unanimous recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance. Congratulations!

It is clear that support for the arts is not a partisan issue and that there is strong support throughout this province and from many sectors. We are a powerful constituency. Culture Matters and Creativity Counts for British Columbians.

Part of our success thus far is in having a diversity of approaches to advocacy and communication and in remaining civil and professional in our dealings.

Articulate and careful presentations were made to the Standing Committee across the province and we have remained calm and civil in our dealings with government. This strategy has been effective, as we have heard from government, our colleagues and the community. It is important, moving forward, that we continue to engage our communities in showing their support for the Standing Committee’s recommendations, in a non-partisan, clear and respectful manner. We need the Premier to hear us and to encourage him to take his Committee’s advice; there is no shame in doing the right thing.

Within the next few days, the Alliance Advocacy Committee chair, Sandy Garossino, will provide a report on this meeting and suggestions for moving forward. With your continuing help, our Alliance will continue its work on your behalf.

Thank you

Amir Ali Alibhai
Executive Director