City of Powell River councillors were provided an update on qathet Art Council regarding community arts and culture grants, plus they were given updates on programming.
At the May 30 committee of the whole meeting, qathet Art Council president Karen Kamon said the contribution agreement with the city was renewed on June 1, 2022, and will go through until May 31, 2025. She said there has been an annual cash contribution of $9,000 for the administration of the arts council and there is also $15,000 for the community arts program. Also in the contribution agreement is an in-kind lease for qathet Art Centre, above Powell River Public Library, for the fair market value of $31,910, she added.
“What the city has done is stellar,” said Kamon.
She said the arts council distributes arts and culture grants, with a budget of $7,500 in September and $7,500 in April.
“That generally works really easily with the groups that are applying for other grants,” said Kamon. “It helps them be prepared and have secure funding when they apply for grants. That model is working really well.”
Kamon said the arts council also administers $20,000 in-kind for use of civic facilities.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said she liked hearing about the grants being provided to the community through the arts council. She said the benefit to the city is that it is supporting the arts without having to administer the grants.
Kamon said the project budgets in the fall 2022 from all the groups was nearly $280,000. She said the $7,500 that the city provides the arts council helps with that level of programming opportunities, events, community building and support. She thanked the councillors for the financial assistance.
“Organizations such as the qathet Film Society and Townsite Jazz Festival are really grateful because they are able to leverage funds as well, as they apply for grants,” said Kamon.
The combined project budget totals for all the projects for the spring 2023 intake amount to $94,182, with the arts council distributed $7,500 of that.
Councillor Rob Southcott said there is so much to be proud of here, culturally. He said being married to an artist, he gets a special glimpse into what is going on in the community. Southcott said Kamon’s presentation was an understandable report on the amazing business the arts have become.
“It’s just such a testament to success,” he added.
Councillor Trina Isakson said it was great to see the work that has been done. She asked how people access the arts centre if they are not part of an arts council program.
Kamon said there is a rental agreement in place for such activity, so it has been great to support some other groups in the space.
Elliott said she feels pride in the community when talking about arts.
“Your presentation and all your accomplishments in the last year or two are amazing,” she added.
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