City Council approves $200,000 funding increase for the arts

Prince George City Council has approved a boost in funding for the arts in our city.

At the September 9th meeting, City Council received a letter of correspondence on the agenda from “the big four” asking for an increase in funding of $200,000.

The big four consists of the Community Arts Council, Theatre NorthWest, the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and the Coldsnap Festival.

At that meeting, City Council had requested they come back to the council table as a delegation in regards to the ask.

At last night’s (Wednesday) meeting, representatives of the big four laid out their case for the funding increase.

“It’s generally estimated, of course, municipalities, depending on their size, etcetera, it’s generally between $25 and $50 per capita,” said Community Arts Council Executive Director Eli Klasner.

“Currently, the City of Prince George spends $7 per capita on arts and culture.”

Klasner noted that $7 doesn’t include funding provided to three other arts and culture organizations funded by the Regional District.

“In my opinion, I think what we’re looking at here, there’s been a little bit of a historical error that has happened, probably for well over a decade, but we have an opportunity now to find ways to correct that error,” Klasner said.

“The crux of the matter is, in my opinion, the City of Prince George and our community, we’ve yet to develop a comprehensive arts and culture plan for the City.”

“Perhaps that is the issue here,” said Mayor Simon Yu.

“We are a transportation hub, we are the hub of Northern BC, we fancy ourselves as the northern central capital of the province, so we must become the hub for art, no question.”

Director of Facilities and Events Andy Beesley noted it is in the 2025 work plan for the Civic Initiatives and Partnerships division to “put it on the map.”

“We’re well aware that this is a deficiency and we are also well aware that we’re going to rely very heavily on our partners, including the four groups that are here, as well as other groups in the City,” he said.

“I think it’s really important, as we want to grow our city, that we need to consider equity,” said Councillor Trudy Klassen.

“Particularly in a community where our sporting community has been quite strongly supported by council, I think it’s time we look at that and realize that we need to also be funding the arts and culture. Arts and Culture is such a major part and we need to begin to look at that in that way.”

The increase brings funding up to $467,000 per year, starting in 2025.

It was noted by City staff the $200,000 increase would equate to an approximate 0.14 per cent tax increase next year.

The additional $200,000 will be proportionately allocated between the big four, effective January 2025.