Powell River Council for Arts and Culture will receive a one-year extension to its contribution agreement with City of Powell River and the lease of its facility above Powell River Public Library for operation of the arts centre.
At the December 17 city council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to extend the contribution agreement.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said the Powell River arts council had a two-year contribution agreement with the city that helped with some of its operating expenses. Elliott said the city wanted to see a few things back from the arts council prior to a new agreement. She said COVID-19 interrupted the arts council’s momentum in terms of creating a business plan and other features the city was hoping to see.
“We are extending this contribution agreement to cover a third year to allow them the extra time to do the things we’d asked them to do,” said Elliott.
According to a report from director of properties, development and communications Scott Randolph, the city entered into the existing contribution agreement with the arts council in 2019. The agreement was set for a two-year term from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020.
Under the agreement, the arts council was provided the following services by the city:
· A cash grant of $25,000 to fund the arts council’s operations in 2019. This was reduced to $9,000 in 2020
· An annual cash grant of $10,000 to be distributed by the arts council to eligible community organizations and projects
· An annual grant-in-kind for use of city facilities, having a value of up to $20,000 for arts, culture or heritage programs, activities or events
· An annual grant-in-kind in an amount equivalent to the rent payable ($31,420.99) by the arts council under a lease between the city and the arts council for the premises located above Powell River Public Library
Randolph stated that city council had requested the arts council provide a business plan for its operations prior to entering into any new agreements.
“Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the arts council’s ability to complete a business plan for the city upon which to review and base a new agreement,” stated Randolph. “In light of this, the organization has requested more time in order to provide the plan that was requested. Staff are recommending the arts council be provided with a one-year extension in order to allow the organization to put a new board in place and finish formulating a business plan.”
