Trail city council has approved a funding boost for the local arts council, increasing its annual grant from $5,000 to $25,000.
“There’s still a long way to go, but this is a great start,” said artistic director Nadine Tremblay, who appeared before council last week along with executive director Joeann Argue and VISAC gallery executive director Sharon Roberts.
They presented several short-term and long-term requests.
Tremblay explained $5,000 of the $25,000 will be used to match provincial arts funding and the rest will help pay for an affiliate program, where small arts groups such as bands and dance troupes are provided with small project grants. Tremblay said having the extra money flow through will free up operating funds for the council.
VISAC requested $10,000 and will receive $5,000, an increase of $1,000 from the previous year.
The organizations are also asking for city council representatives on each of their boards; to be provided funding through line items in the budget; and for the creation of a cultural development action plan that could lead to specific policies to advance arts and culture.
The trio told council that community support and demand for the arts has increased “exponentially” in the past decade but city funding has stayed the same since 2015.
They also said while there is some information about arts and culture on the city’s website, it’s hard to find, “even though we know they’re big arts and culture supporters,” Tremblay said. “We pointed out we can all do a better job with visibility for the arts.”
In making their pitch, they presented a funding comparison to similar-sized communities. Tremblay said Trail’s funding was “notably less” compared to Nelson, which she called a “model for arts policy and funding.” However, Trail also lagged behind Golden, with a population of 3,700, which provides $180,000 to its arts council per year.
Tremblay said they also pointed out their ask accounted for 0.0001 per cent of the city’s 2022 expenses, but would represent three per cent of their operating budget.
“It will enable us to keep working at the capacity we’re working at,” she said. “We need to find a way to keep doing as much as we’re doing.”
The arts council manages the Bailey Theatre and The Griff and puts on Music in the Park, among other things. They have seven core staff, 14 event staff, and 25 volunteers. Last year they completed a $1.2-million upgrade to the Bailey’s structural, rigging and electrical system.
Tremblay said the Bailey is now back to pre-COVID ticket sales numbers, “which is exciting.” She said they have many new patrons as well as “loyal patrons” coming back who are ready to go out again.