NSV Answers to Arts & Culture Survey
City of Vancouver, November 15, 2011
1. COPE, NPA and Vision have all endorsed policies for artists’ studios. What these policies typically lack are measurable targets for preservation or allocation of suitable creative space; and reference to specific public policy options that can be used to either regulate the real estate market or to preserve exciting spaces. What are the available policy options — that haven’t been used yet — and how can they be used to stem the loss of studios and other creative spaces?
Randy Helten (NSV): CoV planning processes should test community support for expansion of mixed-use zones, and Comprehensive Development (CD-1) proposals that include residential densification should include a commensurate increase in commercial space (e.g. second storey business use) where appropriate and community supported. NSV supports development of a small business property tax credit program, which would provide a lower tax rate for small spaces. This would have the added benefit of allowing more home-based businesses to relocate in areas zoned for commercial or mixed uses. Consideration should be given to requiring replacement and expansion of commercial spaces, and relocation assistance where a rezoning is sought. We are reluctant to suggest specifying arts or arts related uses for a redevelopment / rezoning-linked replacement policy because these are difficult to define and could have the unintended consequence of deterring property owners from leasing to arts-use tenants.
Nicole Benson (NSV):
1. Protect older buildings through enforced maintenance standards and incentives for renovating without evictions. This will ensure that artists and their studios are not forced
out for new (unaffordable) developments.
2. Require that new large developments include community amenities based on the needs of and input from community.
3. Implement a small business tax credit program to lower costs on renting small spaces
Terry Martin (NSV): In Vancouver’s post-industrial period, combinations of both market and planning forces have converted land use from industrial and commercial to residential use, causing an increase of housing close throughout the City. New construction with amenities and design features have increased the price of housing. As more and more new housing develops, artists are often displaced from the studios in the buildings they occupy are sold to developers for strictly housing use only. Artists are then evicted. Artists who wish to remain close to the City’s central core are faced with unaffordable rents, forcing them to move further the inner city’s cultural centre. Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver will require of developers of large projects, that affordable live-work spaces, supporting artist-run studios, are provided as a bonus density amenity, ensuring that our vital cultural community may continue to thrive and contribute to the livability of our City.
Elizabeth Murphy (NSV): For existing buildings which tend to be more affordable than new construction, the CoV should make building codes and zoning bylaws more flexible to allow artist conversions for adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Protect less expensive industrial zoned lands within the city. For new construction, CoV planning processes should test community support for expansion of mixed-use zones, and Comprehensive Development (CD-1) proposals that include residential densification should include a commensurate increase in commercial space (e.g. second storey business use) where appropriate and community supported. NSV supports development of a small business property tax credit program, which would provide a lower tax rate for small spaces. This would have the added benefit of allowing more home-based businesses to relocate in areas zoned for commercial or mixed uses. Consideration should be given to requiring replacement and expansion of commercial spaces, and relocation assistance where a rezoning is sought. We are reluctant to suggest specifying arts or arts related uses for a redevelopment / rezoning-linked replacement policy because these are difficult
to definer and could have the unintended consequence of deterring property owners from leasing to arts-use tenants. Provide more community artist workshop space within community centres and school buildings.
2. Do you support funding an upgrade to the City of Vancouver’s Heritage Register?
Helten: Yes. This is long overdue.
Benson: Yes. In order to ensure that Vancouver’s history is not forgotten, we need to protect and value our heritage sites. Maintenance of these sites not only adds to the beauty and culture of our city, it also ensures affordable alternatives to the modern condo. Protection of these vital spaces can only be accomplished through careful registry of heritage spaces. Updating the register is long overdue.
Kerchum: Yes. The Vancouver Heritage Register is acknowledged as the cornerstone of the Vancouver Heritage Program, and as such constitutes an important policy document. A key policy and planning tool designed to guide decision making by Vancouver City’s Planning and Development Services Department, the Heritage Register offers planners an invaluable registry of those sites which possess both heritage value and character. As such, the Heritage Register emerges as a significant planning tool which provides our city’s planners with an invaluable record of Vancouver’s heritage. Unfortunately, the Heritage Register is 25 years out of date. As a consequence, Vancouver streets and buildings that have architectural and historical significance do not appear on the Heritage Register. The Heritage Vancouver Society has called for an update to the Heritage Register for more then 10 years, without success. The time has come to ensure that proposed new development does not erase our past.
Murphy: YES—this is long overdue
3. The post-Olympic effect on arts organizations is very similar to the struggles artists and arts organizations have had in other host cities, and in Vancouver post-Expo — a dramatic cut in public and private sector funding. Can you name one initiative that you would most like to see implemented to help Vancouver arts organizations build on the successes of the City’s creative sector?
Helten: (1) The arts community and City should work together to scope out and always be on the lookout for opportunities, which can arise anywhere, any time. It would be helpful to have programs and systems in place (e.g., the hosts of the “Social Purpose Real Estate Conference” I attended in Nov, 2010, could probably help the arts community prepare model approaches). (2) For example, the West End just lost a unique westcoast style church, with 25,000 square feet of performance and meeting space, only 30 years old, in a great location. It could have become the West End’s version of the Vancouver East Cultural Centre. But alas, the wheels didn’t turn fast enough and the property bought at just over $3 million for a large tower construction. I’m sure that other options
could have been achieved if someone had been ready to consider the options. (3) In the “Rally for Riley.” The Riley Park Community Centre is slated for demolition—to be replaced with a parking lot. Area residents, including the Community Centre Association Board and arts activists, have put together a very promising business plan involving locally based private partners that t would be see part of the facility preserved, upgraded and repurposed for a variety of community uses including arts activities. But the incumbent Park Commissioners have turned a blind eye to this initiative. NSV supports Rally for Riley. Vancouver has many such community facilities that could be economically retained and repurposed for uses that include the arts (e.g. studios, theatre space), at far lower cost than demolishing and replacing.
Benson: Create positions for local artists on Urban Design Panel and other committees related to urban design and public art to ensure that planning and development processes include consideration for the arts.
Kerchum: “Rally for Riley.” The Riley Park Community Centre is slated for demolition — to be replaced with a parking lot. Area residents, including the Community Centre Association Board and arts activists, have put together a very promising business plan involving locally based private partners that would see part of the facility preserved, upgraded and repurposed for a variety of community uses including arts activities. But the incumbent Park Commissioners have turned a blind eye to this initiative. NSV supports Rally for Riley. Vancouver has many such community facilities that could be economically retained and repurposed for uses that include the arts (e.g. studios, theatre space), at far lower cost than demolishing and replacing.
Martin: Prioritize grant programmes to emphasize innovation and the creation and development of new work. Support innovation in both cultural expression, exhibition, and processes as well in the use of public space offering greater public access to art and culture.
4. How do local governments, with increasing demands on their core service budgets, maintain or grow the cultural programs in their communities?
Helten: (1) Elected officials need to recognize that artistic and cultural expression is one of the most important human needs and acts. (2) Often a modest input of public and/or
foundation money is the difference between success and failure in arts enterprises. Maintaining funding for the arts is important, not only for all the cultural benefits it brings, but to the local economy because of the typically large “trickle through” or “multiplier effect” that arts activity brings to supportive services. This is poorly understood by the general public (and many politicians and business leaders), and is something that the arts community, and political leaders who support the arts and want a more diverse and stable economy, need to do a better job of explaining through events (e.g. seminars, forums) and through conventional and social media.
Benson: Reach out to the public, to foundations, and to the provincial government to partner with the City in initiatives for the arts. Such initiatives benefit the whole society by creating a more enjoyable/ livable city and attracting tourism. The City should be an advocate for such initiatives through media, seminars, etc.
Kerchum: Often a modest input of public and/or foundation money is the difference between success and failure in arts enterprises. Maintaining funding for the arts is important, not only for all the cultural benefits it brings, but to the local economy because of the typically large “trickle through” or “multiplier effect” that arts activity brings to supportive services. This is poorly understood by the general public (and many politicians and business leaders), and is something that the arts community, and political leaders who support the arts and want a more diverse and stable economy, need to do a better job of explaining through events (e.g. seminars, forums) and through conventional and social media.
Martin: Lobby the provincial government to return arts funding from the lottery fund.
Murphy: Often a modest input of public and/or foundation money is the difference between success and failure in arts enterprises. Maintaining funding for the arts is important, not only for all the cultural benefits it brings, but to the local economy because of the typically large “trickle through” or “multiplier effect” that arts activity brings to supportive services. This is poorly understood by the general public (and many politicians and business leaders), and is something that the arts community, and political leaders who support the arts and want a more diverse and stable economy, need to do a better job of explaining through events (e.g. seminars, forums) and through conventional and social media.
6. Will you commit to maintain or increase the current arts funding in your community?
Helten: Increase. Often a modest input of public and/or foundation money is the difference between success and failure in arts enterprises. Maintaining funding for the arts is important, not only for all the cultural benefits it brings, but to the local economy because of the typically large “trickle through” or “multiplier effect” that arts activity brings to supportive services. This is poorly understood by the general public (and many politicians and business leaders), and is something that the arts community, and political leaders who support the arts and want a more diverse and stable economy, need to do a better job of explaining through events (e.g. seminars, forums) and through conventional and social media.
Benson: Increase. Through consultation with communities, work together to find ways to enhance the arts and cultural activities. Some will likely necessitate working with partners from the public, foundations, or senior levels of government.
Kerchum: Modest Increase, with increase targeted to areas that are particularly promising in terms of “multiplier” effects
Martin: Maintain. Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver would wish to review the City budget, and have meaningful consultation with the community.
Murphy: Modest Increase, with increase targeted to areas that are particularly promising in terms of “multiplier” effects.
7. Will you take an active role on behalf of your community in lobbying senior levels of government to maintain or increase levels of funding for the arts, culture and heritage?
Helten: Increase, based on arguments above, supported by macro-economic data.
Benson: Increase.
Kerchum: Increase, based on arguments above, supported by macro-economic data.
Martin: Increase, absolutely. A personal priority for me, and other of the Neighbourhood for a Sustainable Vancouver municipal political party.
Murphy: Increase, based on arguments above, supported by macro-economic data.
8. Culture is an easy target when hard budget decisions must be made. How would you defend your support of funding for the arts in the face of further cutbacks?
Helten: On the basis of the economic arguments (above), but also that exposure to the arts enriches lives, stimulates imagination, ideas and new possibilities that can be applied to many aspects and walks of life to create a more prosperous, just and sustainable society. Arts and culture are not a luxury but an essential part of being human. We should defend and nurture them every way we can.
Benson: Arts and culture are essential for maintaining a vibrant and healthy City. They also have economic benefits, such as job creation and increased appeal for tourism. I would advocate for a permanent funding program which could work collaboratively with stakeholders (the public, foundations, senior governments etc) to ensure continued dedication to the arts in our city.
Kerchum: On the basis of the economic arguments (above), but also that exposure to the arts enriches lives, stimulates imagination, ideas and new possibilities that can be applied to many aspects and walks of life to create a more prosperous, just and sustainable society.
Martin: As a Neighbourhoods for Sustainable Vancouver candidate for Council, I believe that the City should adopt a Strategies for Arts and Culture Funding programme that would see an increase of per capita funding to $25 per capita by 2013.
Murphy: On the basis of the economic arguments (above), but also that exposure to the arts enriches lives, stimulates imagination, ideas and new possibilities that can be applied to many aspects and walks of life to create a more prosperous, just and sustainable society.
9. It has been said that many points in the available arts and culture platforms are “objective driven” (specific projects) and don’t really speak to an overall vision of the role of culture in a civil society. In 300 words or less, outline your own vision of culture’s role in our communities and how, as an elected representative, you will support that vision.
Helten: It all starts with a sense of values that recognizes the preciousness of arts, culture, creativity and heritage in enriching our lives as individuals and as communities.
But in governments, this sense of values is tested and expressed through day-to-day decision-making, programs, policies, and budgets. I have witnessed how a change in funding policy almost forced an inner city school to abandon its entire band programme, which was loved by the students and had been running for seven years. Quick action by parents, working teachers, administrators, musicians, and a charitable foundation raise the funds to purchase all the required instruments. This case convinced me that an institutional commitment is needed to preserving arts and culture, that we need to be vigilant to threats, and need to be creative and cooperative in order to foster them. And in the end, it’s really worth the effort. I also feel that it’s important to have programmes
that expose young people to arts, music, and culture. It’s a gift that will enrich their lives and stay with them throughout life.
Benson: Culture and the arts are essential to building community. Communities gather at cultural events and take pride in seeing the coming-together of their diverse residents.
Public art projects similarly evoke feelings of pride in the beauty and livability of the community. Furthermore, arts and culture projects often enhance the economy through job provision and tourism. Therefore, I believe it is essential to support the arts in many of the ways I have described above. I also believe in the importance of community engagement in the political process, which is why I am running with Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver. NSV is dedicated to meaningful consultation with neighbourhood councils and residents associations on decision-making processes that will affect their futures. It is essential that we encourage participation by artists and other advocates for the arts/ culture in their neighbourhood groups so that their important contributions are part of the dialogue on city planning. We need to make information on how to get involved in these groups much more accessible which is something I am dedicated to.
Kerchum: Political leaders and advocacy groups need to collaborate with arts community to provide examples of how the arts contribute to education, protecting the environment,
improving the human condition, building stronger communities, etc. Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver believes that the arts are able to bring people together, create links between different communities and encourage people to feel a sense of pride and belonging in their local community. As role models in the community we must ensure that arts and culture are protected and valued.
Martin: Culture helps to build cohesive, empowered and active communities that contribute to our quality of life, the aspirations we hold for ourselves, our families and our communities, contributing to the health and prosperity of the citizens of our City. As neighbourhoods become ever more diverse, with people from an increasingly wide range of backgrounds living side by side, these differences can result in communities within our city becoming socially fragmented. Taking part in cultural activities has been shown to break down social fragmentation, contributing to neighbourhood residents who are not only more likely to both know, but to trust one another. Neighbourhood for a Sustainable Vancouver believes that the arts are able to bring people together, create links between different communities, and encourage people to feel a sense of pride and belonging in their local community. Culture institutions also make a significant economic contribution to our community. Cultural centres that are well designed, with a sense of heritage and distinctiveness, help to build pride in community, offering a vital tool in combatting neighbourhood decline, and people’s shared sense of place. Anti-social behaviour has been seen to be reduced, while marginalized members of our community are given fresh confidence. Support for the arts can help to tackle pressing social issues. As vital as this is, though, we should not lose sight of the fact that the arts, and cultural institutions are of value in and of themselves. Going forward, we must ensure that the role of culture in our community is valued. Finally, the place where we choose to live is made more vital and prosperous by the integral role the arts and culture have to play in
shaping our future and helping our community to thrive and prosper.
Murphy: See comment to previous question. Political leaders and advocacy groups need to collaborate with arts community to provide examples of how the arts contribute to
education, protecting the environment, improving the human condition, building stronger communities, etc.
