As the City of Regina transitions to a new, transparent budget process, SaskMusic would like to reaffirm the importance of community-rooted funding for essential arts and cultural services.
“We know that community-based arts and cultural funding help make Regina the safe, artistic, and supportive community we love. And while we’re encouraged by comments made by Mayor Chad Bachynski in a recent online statement that this is not the final budget, we’re cognizant that cuts to the arts would be devastating to Regina,” says SaskMusic Executive Director, Lorena Kelly.
“Funding at all levels —municipal, provincial, and national —are essential in supporting artists and creative entrepreneurs across the country. By supporting Regina’s arts and cultural sector, we allow homegrown talent to flourish in provincial, national, and eventually, international markets.”
Our friends at the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance (SAA) note that municipal funding is the first step for many federal cultural and community programs, including the Canadian Heritage Local Festivals Program, which require confirmation of municipal funding before an application can even be reviewed.
Currently several proposed scenarios are heading to Council in the coming weeks for debate. Of those scenarios, suggestions include:
- Eliminating the Community Investments Grant Program. This is the main municipal funder for arts, culture, festivals, and community programs. Less funding means Regina has less of all of this – important parts of our economy, our society, our belonging and well-being.
- Possible closure or off-loading of the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre. Many organizations, and programs would lose this key community arts hub.
- Reductions that weaken community associations, cultural programs, and neighbourhood services across the city.
The SAA recognizes that, “These cuts would negatively impact Regina’s cultural and community landscape for years to come … in short, these cuts touch almost every part of Regina’s cultural and community life.”
Mayor Bachynski has said that the goal with the new budget process is to “make this [budget] process clear, open, and accessible for residents,” and further allow community engagement. In doing so, SaskMusic believes the City recognizes the community’s reliance on, and support of Regina’s arts and cultural sector.
As city budget deliberations begin, we’re asking Regina residents to utilize the SAA’s letter-writing tool to contact the Mayor and your City Councillor and reaffirm your support for Regina’s arts and cultural sector.
Sign TODAY: https://www.saskartsalliance.ca/advocacy/stop-proposed-cuts-to-reginas-arts-and-community-funding/
For more information, or further reading on the economic impact of the arts and cultural sector, and the importance of music in the lives of Canadians, visit the links below:
- SAA Economic Breakdown: https://www.saskartsalliance.ca/uncategorized/saas-breakdown-proposed-cuts-to-reginas-arts-and-community-funding/
- Canadian Live Music Associations Economic Impact Study: https://www.canadianlivemusic.ca/news/hearandnowpr
