The City of Vancouver announced Wednesday that it has finished selecting a new arts council, which will report the concerns of the arts sector directly to elected officials.
After a months-long search process that saw close to 200 people apply, the city has narrowed the council to 15-including Neworld Theatre's Marcus Youssef, Charlie Wu, managing director of Taiwanfest, and Book Warehouse founder Sharman King. Vision Vancouver Coun. Heather Deal said special care was taken to select artists of all disciplines and walks of life.
Deal, who introduced the original motion last July, said she hears a number of common complaints from artists living and working in Vancouver. "It's very difficult to find affordable and appropriate space for artists to have their studios, or places to have live performances," she said. She added that funding from both the provincial and federal governments has dried up in recent years.
"The provincial cuts have been absolutely brutal," said Deal. "I'm hoping that this council will make it more obvious to the provincial government that not only are these cuts punitive, but that it's hurting our communities."
Deal hopes the council will help the city better address these issues, but also raise Vancouver's profile as a city of artists. She said arts councils are common in other cities. "We need to look at how we brand ourselves as a city of arts," said Deal. "Because we are, but we don't talk about it in a collective voice."
Rob Gloor, executive director of the Alliance for Arts and Culture, said his members are happy to have a voice at city hall.
He said the council will let members of the arts community have a say in bylaw and zoning decisions, as well as in how the city manages the money available for arts grants and public art.
"The city has an impact on the arts through bylaws which may have an indirect impact on festivals or outdoor activities," he said, adding that noise and crowd control bylaws were of special concern. "A policy council can ensure that when general changes in the city are taking place, the impact on the arts is a consideration."
Twitter: @jonnywakefield
