Your Arts Community, Your Venues, Have Your Say

Arts and Culture is accessed across the region, it should be supported across the region!

2021 CRD – Your Arts Community, Your Venues, Have Your Say

Dear Arts Lovers,

We have an unprecedented opportunity to advocate for arts and culture support and infrastructure in the Capital Region. On Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 1pm, the CRD Board is being presented with two arts community related proposals. They will be voting on full regional participation in the Arts and Culture Support Service by all municipalities and districts in the CRD. And they will be voting to form a Regional Arts Facilities Service that will support performing arts venues that facilitate amazing programs developed here in the Capital Region.

Please show your support for the arts and write an email to the Capital Regional District Board in support of the recommendations to; mandate full participation in the Arts and Culture Support Service, and to create a Regional Arts Facilities Service. These critical decisions will be made by the CRD Board on Wednesday, September 8 at 1pm, so please write now: crdboard@crd.bc.ca

LINK: Access the CRD Board meeting Agenda (comes out Friday) with option to register to speak as a delegate

Language you may wish to include or adapt:

The arts are important for a healthy and vibrant region. Regional funding provides stability for arts and culture organizations and performing arts facilities provide a stable and sustainable infrastructure for the development and enjoyment of the arts across the Capital Region.

Full participation in the Arts and Culture Support Service provides region-wide advantages. It is fair, equitable and a clear demonstration of the value of arts and culture to the health and welfare of the citizens of the CRD.

Performing arts facilities contribute to the shared experiences that are important for our community’s wellbeing; they promote civic pride, stimulate creativity, and drive social and economic development.

Performing arts facilities also have regional impact, attracting artists and audiences from all over the region. The lack of coordination between municipalities is a primary barrier to progress being made on performing arts facilities, despite ever growing community needs.

It is time for all municipalities and electoral areas to contribute their share and invest in the stability and sustainability of arts and culture in the Capital Region.

I/we endorse the recommendations to the CRD Board for full regional participation in the Arts and Culture Support Service and to establish the Performing Arts Facilities Service for the purposes of planning, developing, and funding of performing arts facilities that have regional impact.

FAQ

• The CRD consists of 13 municipalities and 3 electoral areas
• Two of the region’s largest theatres are owned by the CRD (Royal) and the City of Victoria (McPherson)
• Only 3 municipalities contribute to their operations (Oak Bay, Saanich and Victoria)
• Only 8 municipalities and 1 electoral area contribute to the Arts and Culture Support Service
• 80% of CRD residents believe there is a clear, compelling case for funding of performing arts facilities by the CRD as the regional government
• 89% believe in the importance of performing arts facilities to provide an opportunity for all citizens to participate and attend

Your Arts Community, Your Venues, Have Your Say

crdboard@crd.bc.ca