A three-year contribution agreement with the Pacific Region International Summer Music Association (PRISMA) has been approved by City of Powell River council.
At the November 4 council meeting, council agreed to increase its annual grant-in-kind to PRISMA to reflect increases in fee schedules for Powell River Recreation Complex.
Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman said she had been involved with PRISMA basically since its inception. She said her mother, former councillor Myrna Leishman, was also a supporter of PRISMA.
“It was one of our annual activities we enjoyed going to, such as the concerts, together,” said Leishman. “This organization really highlights how important arts and culture can be for a community and they’ve done an incredible job putting Powell River on the map as a cultural capital, bringing musicians and artists from around the world, and putting on a really class act.
“It’s not an event, it’s a school, it’s a happening. It’s a multi-month process and it’s really important. I’m grateful we are able to assist these types of organizations to continue to do the good work that they are doing.”
Leishman said PRISMA is definitely worthwhile, so she was happy to support the motion, which council carried unanimously.
According to the contribution agreement, on an annual basis, PRISMA will receive an annual grant of $15,000. The grant-in-kind for use of city facilities and services will increase from $30,000 per year for use of city facilities and services, to $35,000 per year. The agreement also stipulates up to $3,500 for transit passes for students, and up to $1,000 for Willingdon Beach for the annual PRISMA on the Beach concert.
The annual grant-in-kind will have a value of up to $39,500 for use of city facilities and services. The new agreement will begin on January 1, 2022, and terminate on December 31, 2024.
At the October 19 committee of the whole meeting, city director of properties, development and communication Scott Randolph said the current agreement, which started January 1, 2019, is set to expire at the end of this year. He said the contribution agreement with PRISMA was deemed to be beneficial to the community’s cultural sector and economy.
“PRISMA is a premier cultural event and organization in this community,” said Randolph. “It plays a significant role in expanding the city’s and the region’s international standing as a cultural destination.”
Mayor Dave Formosa said he supports PRISMA wholeheartedly.
“These cultural events aren’t really big moneymakers, but they are huge cultural makers,” said Formosa. “I’m proud of PRISMA and I support this.”
Randolph said there are a number of covenants in the agreement, including PRISMA submitting an annual report to the city, outlining outcomes of any events, and an economic impact analysis and summaries of how city services were used. The association is to submit annual financial statements at year end for analysis.
