For the last 12 years, the city of Vancouver’s cultural plan has been essentially nonexistent. A cultural plan dating back to 1997 is still in place, but the positions, funding and commission necessary to execute the plan were eliminated one by one from 2000 to 2006.
Reviving the cultural plan is one of the tasks outlined in the Vancouver City Council’s strategic plan, and councilors took a step in that direction Monday night with the first of what may be many discussions this year.
For the last several months, a consultant has evaluated the city’s resources and opportunity to establish a functioning cultural plan. There’s also an executive committee chaired by Jan Bader, Vancouver’s program and policy development manager, and a 25-member advisory committee developing a plan to move forward.
“Both of these groups have been really helpful and often as what happens with an effort like this, they’re putting in way more effort than anticipated,” Bader said during a council workshop Monday evening.
To be sure, there’s some art spread around the city thanks to a few partnerships with Clark County, although it’s largely restricted to the downtown area. That’s one downside of another partnership with Vancouver’s Downtown Association, Bader added, but there’s at least some funding there, including enough money to place one more piece of public art somewhere in the district.
Bader said a new draft plan is in the works to help grow the city’s investment in art, culture and heritage. The city is already reaching out to interested organizations and has planned a community forum on the topic for Feb. 25.
Councilor Bill Turlay, however, is skeptical any plans could be carried out.
“I’ve always been impressed with art and that’s stood the test of time over ages and ages,” Turlay said. “We have an opportunity here to do the same thing. The problem is funding and it always will be.”
Should funding be directed toward affordable housing and homeless services or to the arts, he asked.
“There are so many demands on our budget,” he said. “I think when we talk about this we’ve got to realize the city probably can’t do very much for it from the standpoint of financial commitment.”
He suggested reaching out to a charitable trust or considering fundraising opportunities. Councilor Alishia Topper argued investment in the arts is worth the city’s time.
“It’s been proven across cities that art and culture can drive economic development,” Topper said. “It might seem like a long dig to find funding, but if you look at it as a return on investment it can be a reward financially in the end.”
Topper added that the city’s lack of arts stems from a lack of leadership and support from elected officials.
“It needs to be important,” Councilor Linda Glover added.
Turlay said he needs proof that arts can spur economic development.
“I do not want to dig into the general fund,” he said. “I hope you’re right and I’m wrong on this one.”
The council will revisit the plan in April.
