For decades, Vancouver has been the hub of arts and culture in the Lower Mainland.

It's home to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Vancouver Opera, the Vancouver Playhouse, the Arts Club, Ballet B.C., and numerous other organizations that contribute to the cultural and economic life of the city.

In recent years, I've noticed that many suburban communities are increasing their support for arts and culture. This stands in sharp contrast to the B.C. Liberal government, which has slashed funding this year. (The latest victim from the provincial arts cuts is the Wild Lights Lantern Festival and Parade, which takes place every year in Edgemont Village in North Vancouver.)

To cite one example of rising municipal interest in this area, Greg Magirescu will begin his new job this month as the manager of arts and culture development in New Westminster. The city created this position after holding a public consultation on developing an arts strategy. Magirescu was on the management team of the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad, and his new job involves boosting New Westminster's profile as a centre for arts and culture.

New Westminster residents have also mobilized to defend the Massey Theatre from being demolished to make room for a new secondary school. In January, trustee Casey Cook told the Straight that the board of education has no intention of knocking down the 60-year-old theatre.

Meanwhile in neighbouring Burnaby, council increased funding for culture  from $7.5 million last year to $7.9 million this year in its 2010 provisional budget.  The Burnaby Arts Council is advocating for the replacement of the James Cowan Theatre, and we'll see if this becomes a priority for Mayor Derek Corrigan and his party, which holds every seat on council.

The City of Surrey's 2009-2013 financial plan includes steady increases in funding to the Surrey Arts Centre, rising from $1.95 million in 2009 to $2.25 million by 2013. This month, the Surrey Art Gallery will feature an exhibition of prints by  celebrated First Nations artist Robert Davidson, beginning on April 17.

In West Vancouver, the budget for "sustainability and culture" increased by 2.4 percent this year to $1.94 million. The District of North Vancouver's proposed  five-year financial plan includes a 2.7 percent increase in arts funding this year.

Over in the Tri-Cities area, the City of Port Moody, which calls itself "City of the Arts",  is updating its 10-year-old cultural strategic plan, and is seeking public input.  

Nearby Coquitlam has created its own draft cultural strategic plan, and is also seeking public  input until April 15.

And on April 17, the City of Richmond is holding its  second annual arts symposium to support the development of arts and culture in the city.

Back in what is still the arts hub, the  Vision Vancouver-led council chose not to cut arts funding this year, despite facing a significant financial shortfall.

Municipal officials across the region have woken up to the importance of the arts. It's time for local politicians  to pass that message along to Premier Gordon Campbell and Finance Minister Colin Hansen.

Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.