New arts and business council will aim to build capacity within arts and business sectors

Port Moody's Arts and Business Council Project Task Force will develop and propose to City Council the foundational elements of a new arts and business council, with a goal to report back to City Council in summer 2024.

"The arts and business council will aim to strengthen Port Moody's branding as City of the Arts," said Mayor Meghan Lahti. "It will also aim to build the capacity and resources needed within the arts and business sectors to facilitate and nurture partnerships, helping both sectors to adapt and thrive. Arts and culture are drivers for improving quality of life and for growing and diversifying the local economy. Embracing the arts helps us achieve a vibrant, prosperous, and liveable city."

The task force will draft a mandate that aligns the new arts and business council within the current arts and business community so that it supports and builds on, without duplicating, work that's already taking place. A representative group of local organizations, businesses, artists, and committees has been asked to provide input that will help the task force develop this mandate, as well as the mission and ambition statements.

The task force will also suggest proposed names for the new arts and business council and recommend a founding board to City Council. Once the founding board has fully established the arts and business council, it will transition to an arms-length, not-for-profit organization with an independent board of directors.

Visit portmoody.ca/artsbusiness to stay up to date on the development of the new arts and business council. The task force welcomes comments or questions, which can be submitted via an online form. A summary of input received (from the public as well as the representative group of local organizations, businesses, artists, and committees) will be shared in the task force's report back to City Council in summer 2024.

Background

In early 2023, the Mayor's Arts and Business Coalition Task Force (MABCTF) was assembled to identify opportunities and make recommendations to City Council aimed at strengthening Port Moody's branding as City of the Arts. The MABCTF developed a list of recommendations, including the establishment of an arts and business council, and City-policy-related quick wins.

In October 2023, Council approved funding for the establishment of an arts and business council. In November 2023, Mayor Lahti dissolved the MABCTF and appointed the Arts and Business Council Project Task Force to establish a new arts and business council. For more information, including the task force's terms of reference and the full list of recommendations and quick wins, visit portmoody.ca/artsbusiness.