Amir Ali Alibhai: Why aren’t we talking about the arts during this provincial election?

By Amir Ali Alibhai

So yet again the arts and cultural sector seem to fall off the table. The B.C. NDP and B.C. Green platforms for the upcoming provincial election addressed arts and culture and made some encouraging promises. The B.C. Liberals have, thus far, described their rather impressive track-record, without addressing the large cuts to come to the B.C. Arts Council in the near future, nor including the significant arts and cultural industries in their platform (except a minor mention of the film sector).

I get it. This election is clearly about the economy. It is about health, education, and the environment. It is about social services and values. It is about the next four years—our future. It is about the sustainability of our families and communities. It is about survival.

This letter advocating for the continued investment in arts and culture is not about a special interest group; it includes us all. That is why a discussion about investment in arts and culture should be more prominent in this election campaign.

We are missing an opportunity for important discussion and dialogue that could result in some pretty innovative and effective strategies for success in an emerging creative economy. Everything is shifting so let’s be ready.

Supporting and encouraging the arts makes a lot of sense. It is an investment in our economy, health, education, and communities, which are all affected by the health and vitality of the arts and cultural sector. The return on government investment in this sector is $1.36 for every dollar spent—and this does not even include the social and artistic returns or the substantial economic activity generated in communities across B.C. through this support.

There are thousand of jobs, families, and communities across this province that would be significantly impacted by cuts to government investment. Eighty-one thousand jobs exist in the cultural sector in B.C., which boasts the highest concentration of artists in the country—yet is the second lowest provincial investor in the sector across Canada.

With this estimated $5.2 billion industry in B.C.—which has signs of growing and playing an even more important role in our future—we have to discuss how we manage and sustain and invest in this sector. It makes dollars and cents and it makes good common sense. Write letters, ask questions, make this an important issue in this election and vote; it is in our collective interest. For more information on how to be involved, visit allianceforarts.com.

Amir Ali Alibhai is the executive director of the Alliance for Arts and Culture.