We sent out a series of Arts-related questions to each Richmond City Council by-election candidate. Please consider their responses in your decision for who to vote for on May 29, 2021! For more info on the election: https://www.richmond.ca/electionservices/overview.htm .
Thank you to the following candidates for their thoughtful responses: Jonathan Ho, John Roston, Karina Reid, Dennis Page, Jennifer Huang, Andy Hobbs, Mark Lee, and Ken Hamaguchi. (answers below are in the order we received them.)
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1. How can you, in your role as City Councillor, help support the arts in Richmond?
John Roston:
For a start, as an energetic advocate of expanding existing funding and other programs that support the arts. More importantly, by promoting innovation in exhibition and performance spaces that bring the arts closer to citizens by integrating the arts with their daily activities. See answers for #6 and #8.
Karina Reid:
Investing in the arts celebrates our diverse community and provides tremendous economic impact for businesses such as restaurants, hotels and tourism. Having spent over twenty years working in the tourism, museum exhibitions. Selling cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, local arts bring business and investment in arts is needed for a sustainable and vibrant city. A key selling feature in a city is a vibrant arts investment.
Dennis Page:
As councillor, I will be expected to contribute to decisions that help decide what arts and culture initiatives the city explores, who the contributors will be & what content will be involved, and of course costs and funding. How I can help support directly in these ways – I can use my voice to help ensure what the support going to the arts represents a wide-range of perspectives, is inclusive, and is used in the best way possible – which is to say, encourage, uplift, inform, and enrich our lives. When it comes to content, collaborators and funding – I can use my voice to support win-win and best-case-scenario situations. What I mean by that is, while the city is providing support – can we not ensure that support is going towards initiatives that serve to boost the community as a whole – marketing neighbourhoods, branding communities, offering career-building opportunities, creating jobs through events, and creating business ventures that cater to the needs.
Jennifer Huang:
Promoting art exhibitions, building art galleries for display, having seasonal art festivals every year, helping artists to establish online art shows and art sales, etc.
Andy Hobbs:
Councillors and all levels of government have a role in supporting the Arts. This can be through direct grants, access to facilities, and event sponsorship to name three. A portion of Richmond’s grant funding can be specifically targeted to the Arts and support can be provided in grant applications to other organizations and government agencies.
Mark Lee:
Beyond ensuring robust funding for Richmond’s Public Art programs, I would like to see the arts becoming an integral vehicle through which residents of Richmond connect with each other and with the City with more opportunities for those who would not call themselves “artists” to learn and create.
Ken Hamaguchi:
I would make myself open to discussion with your organization, so that I could learn more about you and what your needs might be. I am very active in community sports, and have learned many way to promote it – perhaps some of my expertise in marketing and program development, could be applied to the arts community.
Jonathan Ho:
Since arts play a vital role in the development of Richmond, as a City Councillor, I will make sure that the City’s Arts Strategy is kept up-to-date, adequately funded, and implemented according to plan. I will support the allocation of funding in our budget to support local arts programs. Besides, I will also encourage other funding sources like commercial sponsorship or donation to help support the arts in Richmond. I will keep the neighbourhood art project through the utilization of our public facilities like community centres, public parks etc., as well as encourage people’s participation in those projects. Besides, we can also learn from the lessons of our neighbouring cities.
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2. Do you feel that the arts supports Richmond’s economy, and how or how not?
John Roston:
Yes, by providing employment, the consumption of goods and services, and attracting visitors from outside Richmond who then contribute to Richmond’s economy.
Karina Reid:
The arts are essential to the social, civic, and economic well-being of our city. Arts and culture have experienced significant economic setbacks from COVID-19. Investment in the arts creates lasting impact and sustainable and prosperous economy.
Dennis Page:
I grew up in Richmond – spending ages on creative interests – I absolutely agree that arts and culture can be a significant contributor to the local economy. While the first image many may have when the think of arts & culture is of a play or a parade – it is the everyday application of the arts that creates high-value jobs – in fields such as user-interface, marketing & advertising, software design & development, and many more. A great aspect of the arts is that they are universal and worldwide –open to everyone, and celebrated by every culture. Other cities have tried to accommodate sections of their city into arts related business areas – to great success – that adds value and appeal to neighbourhoods. I would support this type of venture locally.
Jennifer Huang:
More or less. But I think we have lots of talented artists living in Richmond, we need to promote them and help them to be famous and profitable in selling their art work.
Andy Hobbs:
The Arts overall are an attraction and contribute to our economy and the vibrancy of our City. This is a verifiable fact by simply looking at Cities, large and small, all over the world to see the return on investment. If you think about Rome, Greece, The Great Wall, the Pyramids, the Arts have a huge economic impact and are largely why people travel. Obviously, Richmond is not at that level of worldwide interest but the point remains that the Arts are at the centre of human creativity and generate huge interest, economic benefit and societal equilibrium.
Mark Lee:
Arts organizations like the members of the Richmond Arts Coalition support our economy directly through the local spending they do while supplying their services, the income they bring to artists and staff, the spending they generate from their patrons, and indirectly through the civic engagement they foster and the educational and skill enhancement opportunities they provide to the community.
Ken Hamaguchi:
I don’t know if it currently does, but there is no reason why it can’t. People will pay good money to see performances, purchase products, pay for instruction, etc. And any time money is exchanged for any of these, it supports our economy.
Jonathan Ho:
If you look at it from a narrow perspective, art seems to have nothing to do with economic interest. From this perspective, it appears that arts don’t support Richmond’s economy. However, this view is too narrow because art is also an essential part of human pursuit and exploration behaviour. A culture can advance because it has a kind of “life” in it. Art is one of the crucial elements of our culture. This “life” urges culture to pursue and explore continuously. The most vital, the most “economically” valuable culture is the culture that is constantly seeking and exploring. It is this culture that helps to move our city forward and support our economic development.
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3. How would you ensure the Arts are embedded in all city projects?
John Roston:
I think the arts can be embedded in most projects, but in replacing underground sewer lines, it’s probably a stretch. Council can ensure that the things it funds are not only functional, but look good and give citizens a sense of pride.
Karina Reid:
Investment in arts can also lead to social change. Richmond can address pressing social issues, racial inequity by engaging in creative, arts-based processes. Art can create healing and tell important stories in history. More art is needed on Indigenous people in Richmond, showcasing the history of the BC governments racism towards B.C.’s Chinese Canadian, Japanese Internment camps. History is not something we create; it is something that we learn from on continuous basis. Art is a reminder to learn from history and to build a better tomorrow.
Dennis Page:
I am not currently involved in those decisions, and so I can’t speak on them at the moment – but let me refer back to questions #1 & #2, and my belief that the arts are an avenue to add value to communities and for economic growth & career-building opportunities. Given the opportunity to support these ventures – marketing neighbourhoods, branding communities, offering career-building opportunities, creating jobs through events, and creating businesses that cater to their needs – all seem to be great options that would arise from city projects working with the arts.
Jennifer Huang:
Taking turns to display in the parks, outdoor and indoor decoration.
Andy Hobbs:
First, appropriate policy is required to ensure the sustainability of any program, including the Arts. Budget allocation, a line item, within the City’s budget and targeted development fees contributing to that line item, allow for the implementation of the policy. In short, effective policy must be supported through a targeted budget line item that is funded in a sustainable and predictable way.
Mark Lee:
I am not a fan of token installations just to check boxes or after the fact. I would push for Public Art programs input to be included from conception of city projects, ideally by convening community panels for projects with the express purpose of ensuring that all built environment reflects the culture and experience of the community.
Ken Hamaguchi:
How would you ensure the Arts are embedded in all city projects? Given the range of city projects, I’m not sure how you would imbed the arts when repaving the roads. However, I would love to see more of the arts incorporated into the design of new buildings/structures.
Jonathan Ho:
I will support having artist input tapped to collaborate with architects, landscape architects, and city planners to design and create public spaces, buildings, roads, and public transit facilities.
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4. Richmond is seen as a multicultural city but many do not feel there is enough understanding and cross-cultural opportunities – what role do you think the arts can play in creating bridges between cultures?
John Roston:
Yes! We need cross-cultural exhibitions and performances! They currently focus on a particular culture and only attract those from that culture and those willing to investigate a culture different from their own. If instead there were exhibits and performances of art from different cultures, not promoted as cross-cultural, then those going to see an artist from their own culture would incidentally be exposed to artists from one or more other cultures and might find themselves more interested in them than they had previously thought.
Karina Reid:
The City of Richmond has over (76.3%) of Richmond’s population identified as a visible minority and its our diversity that is our cities strength. Creating opportunities spotlight the skills, culture, and businesses of newcomers in Richmond.
Dennis Page:
Through arts and culture humanity shares its triumphs, aspirations, inner-feelings, and its fears and failures. We share these sacred feelings and beliefs in order to help understand, teach, and uplift each other. Richmond, through my lifetime, has always been a safe-multicultural city, and the Highway to Heaven along #5 Road – with all its different religious building, all peacefully existing as neighbours – is a testament to that. While there are events for the many beliefs and significant events – I feel the city could best bring people together by hosting non-partisan events that are open to all. This is the best way to bring people together. Non-partisan events can enrich lives and create opportunities for business and jobs.
Jennifer Huang:
Art is a masterpiece beyond words may describe. It shows the spirit and meaning without a specific or common language to express. The art piece will communicate with its core and soul itself. It takes patience to understand, appreciate and accept the differences. Through art we understand people’s thinking and expression more, it’s beyond language could express.
Andy Hobbs:
The Arts have a significant role to play. As I mentioned, the Arts are a unifying force around the world. Music, art, performing arts, and virtually every form can be appreciated by people from different backgrounds speaking different languages. When we were in Xi’an, staring in wonderment at the Terra Cotta Warriors, we heard many languages but we were all there, in awe.
Mark Lee:
The arts allow people to express and experience ideas without necessarily focusing on the “understanding” itself. I think there is less of a “cultural” barrier in Richmond than people seem to believe, and if we focus solely on pigeon-holing cultures into their traditional arts, we’re missing the point. We honestly just need to get people creating any art together.
Ken Hamaguchi:
You need to create projects that showcase the arts from the different cultures. But most importantly, you have to identify and label what you are showcasing, so that the people have a greater awareness and knowledge of what they are seeing, experiencing, etc. If they only have the memories and sensations of what they have experienced – but don’t know what to call or identify it, they will never be able to pass that “art connection” to others.
Jonathan Ho:
The essence of arts is the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Through various forms of music, dance, paintings etc., artists portray the delicate emotions of people of different cultures and backgrounds. A touching masterpiece of art can evoke resonance in everyone’s hearts and bond people with different thoughts and ideas together.
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5. With a large percentage of Richmond residents having English as a second language, how can the arts play a role in communication and understanding?
John Roston:
Aside from #4 above, we need more subtitled exhibitions and performances. Amazing how popular subtitled foreign television programs have become during the pandemic.
Karina Reid:
The arts created an opportunity for dialogue, curiosity and strengthens community. Public art campaigns supporting Anti-Racism in the Arts (SEARA).
Dennis Page:
I covered a play titled Ga Ting and had the chance to interview the director and main characters. I will let you watch them tell you in their own words – https://www.richmond-news.com/local-arts/play-explores-taboo-territory-2973164 . As for cross-cultural harmony, arts can certainly help with that. Two of my favourite places growing up were the BC Royal Museum and the Museum of Anthropology at UBC – both able to tell great stories about our region and the people and cultures. By hosting Non-partisan community events – is my belief on how to best bring about a better sense of community harmony.
Jennifer Huang:
Art is the bridge to connect souls in multicultural society. Each art has its own pattern, humour, uniqueness. We need to encourage and create the environments for people to understand and learn to appreciate.
Andy Hobbs:
The Arts in various forms are a unifying force in any society and between nations as well. That is why, even with adversarial nations, one of the most effective ways to bridge differences is through cultural exchanges. Think of China and the U.S or Canada and the U.S.S.R, both examples from the 1970’s with table tennis and hockey.
Mark Lee:
Speaking as a language professional, art is its own language. I have experienced first-hand the power that art has to transcend language barriers and allow people to feel seen and heard. Hosting language accessible, artist-led workshops that let people contribute their stories to community collections is one way I can think of to reinforce our common humanity.
Ken Hamaguchi:
Art can communicate feelings and emotions, no matter what language it is presented in. It mostly needs to be readily available and accessible.
Jonathan Ho:
As the saying goes, “a picture worth thousands of words.” Arts communicate without words and often more profoundly than using words. Arts are a universal language which appeals directly to people’s mind and soul, and sometimes it helps to bring messages across faster and more powerful. So in a city like Richmond, which is very diverse, arts help bring the community together in ways other ways of communication cannot achieve.
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6. Safety is a major concern for many residents and although Richmond is one of the safest cities, there is still a perception that some streets and areas are not safe. How can art assist in making people feel safer?
John Roston:
Interesting that graffiti, which can be art, is seen as indicating a street that is not safe, particularly if it’s just tagging. I led a project in a major city downtown area that had a tagging problem. I assembled a team of two professional artists and ten amateur colourists from the local community. The artists did the outlines of huge wall murals (usually 40 ft. high) and the colourists filled them in. Oddly enough, the taggers were reluctant to destroy another artist’s work and moved elsewhere. There is a trend now to trompe l’oeil murals that make a building appear to be something quite different. They attract tourists into areas that were previously seen as unsafe.
Karina Reid:
Making people feel safer is investing in BIPOC and LGBTQI2S and Refugee arts projects. Like what Vancouver did in BLM a creation of colourful new murals across the city.
Dennis Page:
I believe that organized crime is a major concern in Richmond. I believe that through strong bylaws, enforcement, and police funding – we can make Richmond a better, safer community. I believe that as councillors, we have a duty to try and rid Richmond of its criminal and exploitative elements through strong bylaws, enforcement, and police funding. That said, to me, Richmond has always felt like a very safe area.
Jennifer Huang:
By watching and enjoying the art pieces may bring calmness, peace, inspiration and relaxation to people’s hearts. It will help us to reduce anxiety, fear, depression and hard temper. It melts people’s hearts to become soft and loving.
Andy Hobbs:
The Arts can be effectively used in beautification projects and community building. I’ve experienced that in several areas of Vancouver during my career. The Arts can help to revitalize an area. When people feel welcomed and engaged, the atmosphere changes. Art projects that are children friendly really change an atmosphere. Think of the laughing statues at English Bay (Davie & Denman). Kids play around and on them all day.
Mark Lee:
Art and creative placemaking helps us build a stronger sense of community and belonging. Having community art organizations makes neighbourhoods safer, especially when they are spaces where vulnerable members of our community can be engaged and connected. The more connected our communities are, the safer they are for all of us.
Ken Hamaguchi:
I don’t know. But if I’m elected, and you have ideas about this, I’d be happy to listen.
Jonathan Ho:
People feel safer when they are living in a cheerful, lively atmosphere. Public arts can create that kind of atmosphere in a neighbourhood in which they feel proud and connected. Public arts help us to improve communication with neighbours, generating positivity, appreciation and hope. It helps create a more harmonious community and enhances community safety.
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7. Seniors are a growing segment of Richmond’s population and although we have the longest average lifespan in Canada we rate low in a sense of belonging within our community. How can the arts help address our wellness and sense of belonging?
John Roston:
Community art projects. It works for kids doing a mural on a wall in their school and I saw it work in a local community on huge wall murals as mentioned in #6 above. There is no artistic talent required from most of the participants. If you can fill in a child’s colouring book, we need you to work on the mural. If you’re in a wheelchair, you work on the bottom of the mural.
Karina Reid:
According to the Seniors Poverty Report Cards, Richmond has the highest poverty rate for seniors in BC. More public campaigns on combating ageism and celebrating the seniors in our community. The arts can bridge that gap.
Dennis Page:
My core belief on politics is that is serves to be the middle ground between the needs of the few and the many – to that end, of seniors should have a place of relative comfort and respect in our society. As council we can strive to make sure there is the required space and venues for senior events, and to make sure there are a variety of events and activities for seniors to take part in.
Jennifer Huang:
Learning and promoting art therapy will enrich seniors with inspiration, comfort, self-confidence and enjoyment in life. It keeps them busy in a pleasant and fulfilling way of life indulgent.
Andy Hobbs:
Similarly, seniors want to feel safe, engaged and welcomed. The Arts play a role and seniors, in particular, enjoy both the performing arts and also more participatory forms such as painting, sculpting, photography and even cooking. Very important, the Arts should bring seniors together, bridging language and cultural barriers. That can be done because the Arts, music, art, and performances transcend languages.
Mark Lee:
Isolation in any demographic is detrimental to well-being and one of the best ways to fight it is through inter-generational community initiatives that show our seniors and our youth that they are integral members of our communities. Art is a low barrier way to increase involvement and build connections across generations.
Ken Hamaguchi:
I see the art as playing an important role in the lives of our seniors. The arts entertain them, educate them, contributes to their health (especially if they are participants) and create passion/appreciation in the world around them.
Jonathan Ho:
Richmond is a cultural mosaic. People from different cultures and life experiences are bringing with them the richness of arts in many forms. They can contribute to a stronger sense of community when they are encouraged and provided the platforms to share the arts they are familiar with and appreciate new arts experiences. The key is opportunities for such sharing to take place. As a City Councillor, l will be a strong advocate for creating those opportunities.
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8. Richmond is a relatively young city with well planned neighbourhoods and infrastructure. Should the arts and artists be included in areas such as planning, transportation, sustainability, and why or why not?
John Roston:
Where appropriate. As you may know, I spent a couple of years advocating for community benefits from the Onni Imperial Landing waterfront buildings in Steveston. In particular, I wanted to have artist studios in Buildings 5 and 6 at the eastern end of the development (where a hotel was approved, but has not materialized). This was not to be a gift of a free studio to an artist. The idea was to have a competitive jury selection of local artists whose work could appeal to tourists. Studios would be assigned for a renewable three-year period. There could be an exhibition and sales gallery on the side facing the water where there is maximum traffic and the windows on the sides would be left clear so tourists could walk around the building observing the artists at work. Onni would provide the space at a nominal rent to the City as an amenity contribution and the City would take a percentage of art sales to help cover the rent. There was zero interest from Council which tells me that I would have plenty to do on the arts agenda if elected to Council.
Karina Reid:
Absolutely! We need to ensure everyone’s voice is heard on council. By putting people at the centre of everything we do, we can create spaces where our community members feel they belong.
Dennis Page:
I am not included in the current decision-making process – so I can’t speak directly to who is included and to what degree, in regards to the arts and artists in planning and decision-making. Where there is a required expertise, it definitely should be included. In areas where artistic input would greatly enhance the end goal – absolutely it should be included. A landmark, a boardwalk, the planning of a park or public spaces – these seem like great ways for the arts to have a say. There may be factors that I have yet to consider, so with that in my, with more information, I may have a more detailed answer on this issue.
Jennifer Huang:
Sure. This is a big family, we shall be inclusive, and find artists to involve in city planning, landscaping, interior design, etc. We shall listen to these experts’ opinions. We need to build and plan our city TOGETHER.
Andy Hobbs:
Artists, like other stakeholders, should be part of a process. It is important that we lead with effective policies that lay out when, where and how community groups are engaged in the planning process. Some projects may be very viable whereas a sewer line replacement may not be. A criteria of the types of projects, set in policy, would provide the framework for consultation and meaningful input.
Mark Lee:
To me, city planning is inseparable from the arts. When we de-prioritize the arts in our urban planning, we end up with a city that has no soul, but also a city that likely does not meet our human needs. Artists are creative problem solvers, and I think we would all benefit from having that perspective in city planning.
Ken Hamaguchi:
Of course it should. For example, Skytrain is a necessary mode of transportation. But if you incorporate art into it’s design, it becomes much more special (and it also says something about the people and the city we live in). I also love when they allow artists to paint murals on buildings. It makes the building come to life.
Jonathan Ho:
Planning for the future of Richmond is a technically complicated and professional process that involves various kinds of expertise and professionals during the process. However, I support bringing in the inputs of artists in our city planning for their involvement in the processes can help guide change in our communities.