2024 BC Election Candidate Questions - Richmond Arts Coalition

QUESTIONS FOR 2024 PROVINCIAL ELECTION CANDIDATES

Prepared by the Richmond Arts Coalition

All candidate responses will be shared to votes via our website, in our newsletter, and to local newspapers and media. Candidate answers will be listed in the order in which they are received. Please answer in 100 words or less per question. (Please answer at least four questions.)

Thank you for your responses.

Your Name: *

1. Since 2019, BC’s cultural economy has outshone every other province in Canada. It is estimated that the cultural sector adds $8.6 billion to the BC economy, more than the forestry or hotel industries. Do you feel that the arts contribute to our local and provincial economies? How or how not? How could this contribution be increased?

2. If elected, how do you and your party plan to support local artists and cultural organizations?

3. Sustainable support to the arts, culture, and heritage sector contributes to a community’s health and well-being. The Province, through the BC Arts Council (BCAC), nurtures and supports arts and cultural activity in communities across BC. In supporting community arts, individual artists, professional performing arts companies, Indigenous artists and cultural organizations, arts galleries, local museums, and festivals, BCAC funding is critical to the sustainability of the cultural sector. Do you and your party support increasing the annual budget for the BC Arts Council?

4. How do you view the importance of arts and music education within the public school system? How would you and your party support school initiatives for arts and music programs including making art supplies and instruments low cost or free? How about field trips or visits by arts practitioners?

5. Richmond needs more purpose-built arts spaces. Richmond-based theatre, opera, choir, orchestra, and music non-profits often need to go into Vancouver or New Westminster to find purpose-built arts venues that are affordable and available. How will your government address this concern?

6. Richmond is a multicultural city, but many feel there are not enough cross-cultural opportunities to build understanding between communities. What role do you think the arts can play in creating bridges between cultures and what role do you think the Provincial government can play?

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