As a representative of the Cowichan Public Art Gallery, I recently met with the CVRD board to describe what a public gallery does, how it differs from other arts bodies and what it contributes to the local economy. In the long run, Cowichan Public Art Gallery hopes that the council will support the gallery with in the promised new arts policy. Such support is common among local governments across North America and Europe. And in British Columbia, on average, local governments supply 41 per cent of their public art gallery’s operating budget. To date we have not achieved any ongoing funding and we are alone in that as a public gallery in British Columbia.
You recently ran an editorial praising the richness of the valley’s arts offerings and used the phrase “awash in the arts.” This phrase was misconstrued and used as a negative during the ensuing discussion: suddenly ‘awash’ was taken to mean ‘too much art already, therefore don’t fund the Cowichan Public Art Gallery.
As a result, the CPAG board of directors realized that we need to educate not only the council but also the general public about what CPAG is and what it offers to this community. We are starting with this letter.
Despite its shoestring budget, CPAG already provides or plans to provide the following benefits to the Cowichan community:
Economic: a public gallery creates jobs across several sectors. It attracts art tourists who spend money on hotels, restaurants and souvenirs. A federal study found that for every dollar spent by local governments on the arts, there is a sevenfold return in prosperity for all citizens. A recent study on the gallery’s potential impact here in the valley found that when fully developed and properly funded, it can attract $10 million in revenue to our community annually.
Educational: creativity is the basis of progress, of problem-solving and of that elusive but all-important value, joy in learning. People often limit their understanding of art to mean paintings and sculpture, but arts are the result of creativity, hard work and inspiration, the same qualities we all need in daily life. We want to inspire our youth to be creative by introducing them to the work of great artists from across the world. Our educational programs do just that, and in ways that school programs alone cannot do. We are a learning asset.
Cultural: CPAG’s mission is to bring national and international art into the valley that would otherwise not be accessible to valley residents. Imagine being able to see real Picassos or Monets someday without having to travel elsewhere. As our community grows, cultural assets like CPAG will attract professionals who want an environment awash in the arts. (Imagine more doctors!) Of course our public art gallery welcomes everyone from every age and income group to visit and be enriched.
To conclude, as your original editorial stated, “awash in art” is a positive for the community. There is no such thing as too much art. Not funding one aspect of the arts because many others exist in the community is like refusing to fund a swimming pool because we have hockey, baseball, curling and many other sports in the community and are awash in sports. Or refusing a business licence to a pizza place because we are awash in restaurants.
The arts are a valuable resource for our community, and each arts body contributes something unique. CPAG adds to that richness, but like all public galleries, it needs support from our local government. We urge those reading this letter to contact their director and to express their support for this wonderful cultural asset, an asset that belongs to them.
I extend an invitation to those CVRD directors who wish to learn more about this extraordinary project.
On behalf of the CPAG board of directors, its dedicated volunteers and its enthusiastic visitors,
Jock Hildebrand Dpl FA
President, Cowichan Public Art Gallery
