The arts are an unquestionably important piece of our social fabric, providing depth, context and a sense of vibrancy to the world we live in. While nobody would deny this fact, what does often come into question is who should be funding the arts, and how much. In British Columbia, provincial funding mostly comes through the B.C. Arts Council. In addition to the funds received, this relationship often allows B.C. arts organizations to leverage additional funding from other foundations and governments. This past year, B.C. was the only Canadian Province to cut arts funding, in response to the economic downturn. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Service Plan, provincial arts funding is scheduled to fall by more that a whopping 88% over two years, from $19.5 million in 2008-09 to just $2.25 million in 2010-11.
Down with the billboards ...
While these facts and figures paint a dour picture (pun sadly intended) for local artists and art organizations, the reality of the situation is that money funding art is money taken away from other important domains, such as health care, transportation, and housing, and is bound to offend some voters.
So what can be done to supplement ailing arts funding while not demanding critically needed funds be taken away from other sectors?
Our dear friends in Toronto (whom I know we all love/love to hate) have just implemented a wonderfully innovative, collaborative, and popular solution: taxation. Yes, you read me right, I have just used the words “popular” and “taxation” in the same sentence. Toronto has just passed a reform package that will see a tax on billboards, with tax dollars being used to enforce the bylaws governing signs and to fund public art. Not only will this help to ensure eye-sore billboards will be kept to a minimum, but will also give the opportunity for public art to take its rightful place in the cityscape. The reform package includes changes to the zoning variance process that will make approving new signs more difficult, and fines for violating bylaws. The tax will generate an estimated $10.4 million each year. According to a local activist who was involved in the process, the victory was a result of activists and industry collaborating from a very early stage.
... and up with Public Art!
Vancouver, as a city who proclaims to be progressive, innovative, sustainable, and culture-friendly, we need to be thinking of and implementing innovative solutions like this. The Vancouver Public Space Network estimates that half of Vancouver’s billboards are not compliant with the city’s most recent bylaws … which could translate into much needed dollars for public art. Really, with public support, aesthetic imperative, precedent, and a very real need on our side, how could we not?