WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The arts community in Vancouver is in danger.

On March 31, Mayor Kennedy Stewart and the Council of the City of Vancouver will be asked to support a motion to approve the 2020 Cultural Grants. These grants include operating, annual assistance, project, and sharing, and learning grants. Given fears over COVID-19, it’s possible that the Mayor and Council will not approve this arts spending, leaving our arts organizations and community unsupported for the rest of the year. The loss of these funds would be devastating.

We urge you to take 5 minutes to send a letter to the Mayor letting him know how important this spending is, and what our arts community means to you.We’ve pasted the template created by BC Alliance for Arts and Culture below for you to customize, and encourage you to share your own words with the Mayor and Council as well. Click here for the Mayor’s contact page.

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Dear Mayor Stewart and Council,

The BC Alliance recently learned that there is no assurance that you will support the motion to approve the annual grant allocations to the arts and culture sector, which is coming before you on March 31. We respectfully request that you do not hesitate to approve the allocation of these much needed funds.

Countries, provinces and municipalities need to find ways to respond to this pandemic while taking care of everyone, supporting the economy and valuing the important role that art and culture play in our lives. As you know, our sector is characterized by a high proportion of self-employed people who are dependent on revenues from cancelled performances, events, and exhibitions, and now face a major threat to their livelihoods.

This is a time when we need the creativity of the cultural sector more than ever. The courage of creative people can help overcome the crisis we now face and the ones soon to come. Artists are not only indispensable, they are vital, especially now.

Norway, Germany and Australia have already stepped up to the plate, investing billions of dollars into their arts and cultural organizations because they recognize the contributions that their artists make to their economies and to the health of their citizens.

There is fear that you, Mayor and Council of the City of Vancouver, may be leaning towards austerity, thinking that a lower overall spend is preferable to stimulating the economy. As we have seen at the provincial and federal levels, this is a time for all levels of government to invest generously, and ensure that we don’t see a major downward contraction of our economy.

Arts and culture contribute significantly to Vancouver’s economy and to the international status enjoyed by this city as one of the best places to live in the world. At a time when artists and arts organizations are deeply impacted by COVID-19, we need to know that you understand our value and that you will support our recovery.

In times of crisis and beyond, the arts are essential to our mental health and our hope for a better future. Do the right thing and approve the 2020 Cultural Grants, so that artists in this city know they have a fighting chance.

Respectfully,
[your name]

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Thank you for your support during these uncertain months. Arts and culture in Vancouver will be integral to maintaining and rebuilding the fabric of our communities throughout this pandemic crisis, and for months after we get the all clear.

Take care, and we love you,
The SAD Team