We asked each candidate to answer at least five questions.
Answers are in the order in which they were inputted.
(Did not reply: Chai Chung, Derek Dang, Mohamud Ali Farah, Laura Gillanders, Sunny Ho)
1. Richmond needs more purpose-built performance spaces. Richmond-based theatre, opera, choir, orchestra, and music non-profits often need to head into Vancouver or New Westminster in order to find purpose-built performance venues that are affordable and available. How will you address this concern?
Kash Heed
Let me start by declaring that Richmond needs a significant increase in Arts and Culture infrastructure to ensure that we are valuing its contribution to creating a healthy society for people to live, work, and play in their community. We need to ensure that purpose-built performance spaces are available and utilized to their fullest extent. Working with the organizations that you represent in your coalition, we need to evaluate what we have, determine what we need, and then set out to find support. Public dollars will need to be dedicated as will funding from organizations that truly believe in the arts to promote a healthy society.
Jerome Dickey
I’m surprised by this need for space considering the various city facilities including the Cultural Centre, Gateway Theatre and other private venues. Is the issue about capacity of performance spaces or that of an access issue to what is available? As a Councilor, I would look to meet with stakeholders and get a clear understanding of what the needs are and see how the city could help.
Andy Hobbs
Solutions to this require planning. It also requires prioritization from the community. A plan for a multi-use facility must have consultation with stakeholders, City, and community supporters to begin the process of capital planning. There is no overnight solution in terms of City infrastructure. Developer involvement in terms of amenities could be very helpful. My help would be in the form of supporting the early steps necessary.
Adil Awan
I am a huge fan of the arts. I enjoy going to plays and concerts. You are absolutely correct, We need more venues so we can attend the arts within Richmond. I will advocate in building more arts facilities.
Bill McNulty
We need a performing arts centre in addition to the Gateway Theatre, requiring a dedicated infrastructure. Practice space is equally important to the artists. I supported converting the old seniors centre into an arts complex. As new development space becomes available, it could be dedicated to a specific need for performance or practice. We need to work with businesses, malls, industrial warehouses, schools, churches and KPU to garner space for practice and exhibitions as they generally close early, and some are closed on weekends.
Alexa Loo
The Lansdowne redevelopment will include 50,000sq ft of public amenity space, this represents a huge opportunity. I’d like to see an outdoor space that can be booked and shared. Implement a database that helps the city and other community groups make their spaces available and fully utilized.
Elsa Wong
The old senior center which has a theatre and multiple rooms that can be refinished or refurbished to accommodate the need for performance spaces. I believe currently it is not being used for its purpose and it can be converted, this way it will save cost on purchasing land and build from scratch.
Dennis Page
For this issue, for most issues, how to properly address the situation is to find out what the true needs are, and what are the practical, feasible solutions. If a venue shortage appears to be a problem – find out how much need there truly is. Talk to the organizations involved, as well as prospective events, and determine how Richmond can address that need. But council isn’t only about addressing current need. Good councillors look at how they can turn a need into a win-win situation. Use the needed venues to create career and business opportunities, and host more events.
Sheldon Starrett
If elected, I would work with federal and provincial levels of government to secure arts funding for Richmond. I also think it is important to partner with non-profit organizations and local businesses to find where the community can come together to address the lack of performance venues. We need to engage all groups, facilitate communication, and work in collaboration to increase performance spaces.
Eric Yung
Richmond does require more purpose-built arts spaces. I believe that a strategy of adding arts spaces as additional areas to current renovation and new construction projects so that a priority is set to include such spaces for future consideration would allow us to begin to address this concern. Capital construction is a significant cost and only by prioritizing such consideration will we get more arts spaces built.
Carol Day
There is going to be public space when the Lansdowne mall is rezoned for housing that seems like a great space to have a performance space and it has the option to open it up to the the plaza that will be in front of the community building. Let’s get Creative !
Michael Wolfe
I would advocate for the arts to get creative in maximizing the use of underutilized spaces, including outdoor spaces and school auditoriums/ theatres. Ideally future community builds, like community centers and libraries, would have multipurpose rooms that could be used for musical and theatrical performances and rehearsals. During the pandemic, the city utilized outdoor spaces around the Gateway Theatre, and I’ve been advocating for mobile electric power stations, so that these types of events can go on without disruptive gas generators.
Mark Lee
I unfortunately do not have a particularly intelligent answer to this question, but my initial reaction is that some existing multi-purpose community centre facilities could be renovated to increase local bookable performance venues. I am also reminded of the Malkin Bowl in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, which could be an inspiration for smaller outdoor venues in Richmond’s gorgeous nature areas. I think it ultimately comes down to investing in the creation of purpose-built venues either directly or through giving bonuses to developments that include publicly available venues in their community amenities.
Keefer Pelech
I played in bands throughout my youth and early adult life. It was difficult to find venues to play within Richmond. We were not big enough for the big theatres like Gateway or River Rock but there weren’t smaller venues where we could play. We often resorted to making our own venues in homes, community centres, and the odd commercial space. I would like to see more activation of public spaces, as well as an expansion of the Arts and Culture Grant program at large, with a sub-category for smaller commercial venues who wish to host more live performing arts.
Rahim Othman
Advocating for additional funding from provincial and federal governments, collaborating with non-for-profit organizations and businesses as well as setting aside contingency funds for arts.
Melissa Zhang
Richmond needs to have a purpose-built performance venue in town not only for our artists to show their talent, but also for our residents to enjoy.
Jasmine Piao
Public consultation on future capital projects and community spaces such as the Steveston Community Centre and Library, should include input from the arts community on the design and space utilization for the performing arts. Collaborating with partners from the Arts community to plan and design new purpose-built performance venues, review City land use, and facilitate discussion with developers to offset building costs and contribute to the Arts community. Exploring input and recommendations from Richmond artists on addressing affordability challenges through the Arts and Culture grants program, local community partners, and funding from senior levels of government.
Evan Dunfee
As city centre continues to develop and we work towards a master plan I would prioritize arts and culture spaces within the plan. Recognizing that these spaces provide huge community benefit I would also look to the province and see if there are opportunities to exempt these spaces from property tax to help deliver them more affordably. Finally, as this is an area that I admittedly am not an expert in, I would engage with our local talent and experts as well as look to places that have thriving arts and culture scenes and see what lessons we can apply in Richmond.
Chak Au
Richmond definitely needs more purpose-built space and facilities for arts. We lost an opportunity to secure a space of 30,000 sq. ft. a few years ago as City Council changed its mind. The current exhibition space at the cultural centre is too small, and Gateway Theatre was built many years ago and cannot meet the needs of a growing community. Fortunately, we were able to save the old Minoru Seniors building as an annex to the cultural centre. I strongly support building a new multi-purpose arts facility as part of the Lansdowne Mall redevelopment plan.
2. Do you feel that the arts contribute to our local economy? How or how not? How could this contribution be increased?
Kash Heed
Arts contribute in so many ways not just to the local economy through people spending time and socializing in Richmond, but also to the fabric of creating healthy communities where we can retain and promote cultural and core values for everyone.
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.
Adil Awan
If we had more venues, the money for tickets sales would stay within Richmond and we can use the additional funds to support our arts and entertainment culture.
Bill McNulty
I am proud to be a strong supporter of the Arts and am a life member of the Richmond Arts Coalition and the Richmond Arts Connection. The arts are a considerable economic generator for the city, region and province. As well as providing jobs, the arts produce millions of dollars in wages, economic output and GDP in the province and leave a positive economic impact in Richmond, both directly and indirectly. The arts sector is a strong generator of tax revenues at all levels. Businesses or organisations that support the arts and related services quantify the economic impact of the arts sector.
Alexa Loo
Yes. Art in and of itself is a commodity – I like to bring original art into my home and support the arts and attend live performances. If we can co-locate performances space with restaurants, a night at the theatre becomes a proper night out with dinner and perhaps dancing afterwards. Win-win. The city uses local artists for projects and has a roster that it draws from. It would be great if the public had access to a roster based on style and price point of Richmond artists for their art needs.
Elsa Wong
Yes, arts certainly helps in our economy; again the Old Senior Center, they have the patio there by the library where they can hold a public market where artists can display all their stuff and at the same time promote tourism and economy.
Dennis Page
I grew up in Richmond – 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, animation, and film production. A great aspect of the arts is that they are universal and worldwide – open to everyone, and celebrated by every culture. Arts-related business areas add value and appeal to neighbourhoods.
Sheldon Starrett
The arts offer value-added opportunities for the local economy by creating jobs, offering opportunities for local residents to spend their money at the local level. Arts can also be instrumental to tourism, restaurants, and other businesses in the community. These contributions can be increased by supporting more arts in Richmond.
Eric Yung
The arts either directly or indirectly does contribute to our local economy. Either by providing local jobs and training in performance arts and entertainment, or by boosting areas of Richmond for tourism, or by creating dialogue by presentations of culture and ideas to a broader community. While the specific contribution should be encouraged, I believe that a more systematic advertising (social media, regularized calendar of events etc.) of the various arts may be most valuable method to increase arts contribution to our local economy.
Carol Day
Yes is does contribute to the economy I would like to see local artists displayed in public and private spaces such as community centres and restaurants.
Michael Wolfe
The contributions can be increased as part of our upcoming Official Community Plan renewal process. Developer art contributions and city budgets are sources to provide the financial increases. We should allocate a portion of the Phoenix Net Loft for art programing.
Jack Trovato
Yes, absolutely. I feel that it would be hard to overestimate the importance of the arts to our community and its economic development. Any location’s art offerings impact tourism and add to the entire vibe of the locale. People often check out the art scene when they think about moving somewhere or visiting a place. The more quality and diversity offered, the more likely people will want to visit and even relocate to Richmond. As a councillor, I would advocate making the inclusion of art, in its myriad manifestations, an intricate part of all city projects.
Fipe Wong
Richmond Arts Coalition support our economy directly through local spending, and also impacts tourism in our City. People would be more likely to visit or live in Richmond because of it.
Mark Lee
The arts 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 engagements they foster and the educational and skill enhancement opportunities they provide to the community. We can increase this contribution further by encouraging and facilitating cross-cultural collaborations and residencies that ultimately reach a broader community and bolster Richmond’s art scene.
Keefer Pelech
Absolutely! On a direct level, artist are creating goods and services and should receive compensation for this labour. On a larger scale, a vibrant arts scene, event, or performance can also attract visitors to the area bringing economic activity to surrounding businesses. We can support and nurture artistic draws through grants, public spaces, and bylaws that facilitate public or private performances.
Rahim Othman
Arts and culture create job opportunities and also stimulate local economies through consumer purchases and tourism. This can be increased by promoting more intercultural arts festivals and performances, and collaborating with both national and international arts organizations.
Melissa Zhang
The arts are certainly an important part of a strong economy. The arts contributes a lot for tourism industry, and it makes Richmond a more attractive and friendly place to live for people and families.
Evan Dunfee
Yes, on many different levels. A vibrant arts scene brings in tourism, sells tickets to shows and events, employees local artists. Obviously we need a thriving scene for this to be the case. On a deeper level though, I believe the arts create a sense of community and identity within a city and I feel a city with a strong arts and culture segment will also have a greater sense of identity and potentially spend more time and money locally as a result. One way I would increase this contribution would be to require all public art projects go to local artists.
Bill Han
Think of how manga can contribute to Japan’s economy – yes, to a great extent! I think we should promote and develop further the city’s current housing policy to provide affordable living and studio space for qualified artists to attract more talented artists to stay and live in Richmond. Not much artists, especially at the initial stage of their career, earn high income. If we really want arts in our city to thrive, we need to provide them the very essential thing first – affordable housing.
Chak Au
Arts and culture-related industries are certainly economic contributors to the local economy. They generate economic activities, including creating jobs, attracting investments and generating tax revenues. While we don’t have the latest figures about Richmond, the Canada Council for Arts estimated that the cultural sector contributed $7.6 billion to B.C.’s GDP in 2018 and created 102,000 jobs. My wish is that we can develop a Richmond “Greenwich Village” to attract more artists and activities to the City. However, the contribution of art to a community should not be measured in monetary terms.
3. 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?
Kash Heed
Arts has a significant role in bridging the many cultures that make Richmond so vibrant. Arts are an “icebreaker” so others can begin to understand the value that different cultures bring to our community. Using the recent example of the increase in biases against our community members, one can understand how using arts can create a better understanding and hopefully educate others.
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.
Adil Awan
I agree. We need to approach different ethnic cultures and maybe have a joint yearly festival to promote our diverse community.
Bill McNulty
The Arts have no barriers. They are a great vehicle to be a unifying force and create a bond between cultures. The arts bring people together with one focus. Cross cultural exhibitions and performances break up isolation. The arts communicate different things to different people when the artist shares and communicates with the beholder. We must work in cooperation and not in isolation. The arts are the “Heart and Soul” of all communities promoting awareness of different cultures.
Alexa Loo
Arts should be a key place that we come together. Ensuring arts opportunities are communicated in a variety of languages will help pull all artists into the “Richmond Art Scene”. Sharing styles of art should be like our food scene here – a fusion of different cultural styles and flavours.
Elsa Wong
I think by having the artists interact and present plays that are diverse enough to attract different cultures is a good way to do it. Through the interaction between different artists with different backgrounds, they may come up with ideas that are new and creative and help to break through the multi culture society 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.
Sheldon Starrett
If Richmond’s intercultural diversity is a rich tapestry, then the arts are the threads that weave it all together. Art brings people together, transcending differences of ethnicity, language, faith, gender, and instead find human commonality in stories told whether through painting, writing, dance, music, carving, etc… Art provokes contemplation, and to find understanding. Today, we must encourage that.
Eric Yung
The arts can be the means by which the different cultures can demonstrate themselves and provide allow cross-cultural diversity. By allowing each culture to show their artistic displays, we foster greater understanding and inclusivity. From Hong Kong cheongsams to Japanese kimonos, from displays of Chinese Opera to Gateway Theatre performances, or more diverse demonstrations during our current Culture Days which include Indigenous displays and spoken poetry by our Poet-in-Residence, these all provide conversations between cultures, which is what the art medium provides.
Carol Day
Multicultural days are a PRIME example of how art can bring people together. I saw people from every demographic enjoying the same displays. We can further this initiative by encouraging all faith groups, non profit groups and businesses to create their own version of the Multicultural festival and which will draw attention to their business and promote art and harmony in the community.
Michael Wolfe
The Highway to Heaven (portion of No.5 Road with faith-based organizations) is unique in the world. It provides an amazing cross-cultural opportunity as each building hosts a multitude of cultural art pieces. They have opened for public events like Doors Open, where they have shared lessons on cultural traditions. I have offered support for a large Richmond-specific cultural event, like a World Fest to return on an annual basis. The arts remind us of our common humanity. They naturally bring people together under the banner of cultural appreciation.
Jack Trovato
The arts can play a huge role in creating bridges between cultures in Richmond. The City can promote this by highlighting different cultural celebrations and encouraging these communities to reach out to all residents. Moreover, I would like to see a substantial increase in Indigenous art installations throughout our City – in public offices, community centres, and outdoor public spaces. Our Indigenous peoples’ voices, art, traditions, and culture have been ignored in Richmond for too long, and we are uniquely positioned to change that. Art could serve as a healing act toward fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.
Fipe Wong
The City can promote our diversity through different cultural celebrations and encouraging participation from these communities and reaching out to Richmond Residents.
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, and just that act is an extremely powerful way to foster cross-cultural understanding.
Keefer Pelech
Art has the incredible ability to transcend cultural divides. It is a form of communication that breaks through language barriers to highlight shared experiences and emotions. The medium of art can also be used to highlight and demonstrate the intricacies of a specific culture, allowing outsiders to gain a better understanding of the artist’s culture and heritage.
Rahim Othman
Culture generates social capital and strengthens a community’s character. Art brings people together physically – at galleries, museums, performance spaces – and culturally, through its capacity to tell a community’s shared story, to inspire reflection, and form connections that transcend differences.
Melissa Zhang
The arts can play a very important role in creating bridges between cultures. Arts is a common language for all human beings. Sharing through arts is one of most efficient ways to build cross-cultural understandings.
Jasmine Piao
The arts is a communication tool that is universal to all cultures and people. Through a wide range of artistic expression, the arts is an invitation to Richmond residents to learn, understand, and unite as a community. Cultural exchange through the Arts will highlight the uniqueness and gifts each culture brings, focus on the commonalities and shared values across cultures, and strengthen community ties.
Evan Dunfee
The arts are an amazing way to tell stories, and unite people. I remember going to shows at the Gateway about the bullying and murder of Reena Virk when I was younger and the lessons I learned from that and took into my own life. It was incredibly powerful and I think we all have similar experiences. I think there is tremendous opportunity. Secondly I’d say going back to fostering a sense of community and identity that is what we need across our city, after nearly 3 years of isolation I think much of the increases and perception in crime is due to this lack of community.
Bill Han
Richmond has immigrant population of more than 60% and we must bring people together to make our city an inclusive and welcoming one. Many first-generation immigrants don’t speak fluent English but hundreds of their own mother tongue. Art is common and universal language for communication between different cultures. It’s an effective way for people to get to know each other more which can circumvent language barrier. Moreover, elected officials have the duties to advocate cultural interaction between people because they are city councillors for all Richmondites and not belong to one specific ethnic group.
Chak Au
I share the feeling that we do not have enough cross-cultural opportunities in our city. Having artists from different cultural backgrounds working on joint projects, such as a multicultural mural, will be an excellent way to create opportunities for dialogue, mutual appreciation and cross inspiration. I fully support projects such as “Let’s Celebrate Together,” which brought together artists from diverse backgrounds and artistic genres to highlight and celebrate their art forms collaboratively.
4. With a large percentage of Richmond residents having English as a second language, how can the arts play a role in communication and understanding?
Kash Heed
Expressions through arts are neutral through all cultures regardless of the language spoken that is why we need to hold arts in such high regard.
Jerome Dickey
Arts help connect people beyond words and language. Bringing people and our various cultures in Richmond is very important to building community, including an improved understanding of others, dispelling fears and myths, and building harmony. Arts are a powerful connector of people. As a Councilor, I will work to support expanding events and opportunities to connect through art.
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 ballet and hockey.
Adil Awan
Communication is the key. Our community as a whole is very accepting of other cultures but we need to do more. Let’s bring various parties to the table and discuss a game plan.
Bill McNulty
The arts do not have a language barrier. They have their own language and identity and are a unifying force. The arts evoke dialogue by sharing communication of feelings, emotions and appreciation, bringing people together, thereby reducing barriers and isolation. Free festivals and events enable people to celebrate one another’s heritage, ethnicity and culture.
Alexa Loo
“A picture says a thousand words”, art can convey so many messages without the need to speak each other’s verbal language. Ideas, opinions, feelings can be expressed and shared through art.
Elsa Wong
The use of Mime may work for this instance. By not using or speaking any language, through the art of physical movement and acting, such artists can communicate with different cultures without creating any language barrier. Art will be the universal language for different cultures.
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.
Sheldon Starrett
There is a visceral/instinctive quality to art that can evoke understanding, which can transcend language. For the most part, art is universal and can convey a multitude of feelings and/or ideas. The arts can play a role in bringing Richmond residents together, despite language barriers, and build a sense of camaraderie and community.
Eric Yung
Art can uniquely communicate without necessarily resorting to language. From music, to displays of paintings and textiles, art can foster broader understanding without truly the need for language which can allow us to bridge across many cultures. Much as opera can be a moving experience without necessarily understanding the language of the music. Separately, different types of art, can convey meanings and themes, which can then be explained in multiple languages to create a common community understanding of what the art is trying to show.
Carol Day
Art needs no language it transcends all cultures and by exposing people of all backgrounds to art we help build the bridges we need to bring people together.If we can make the art interactive that will foster communication even if that means using gestures and smiles in the beginning.
Michael Wolfe
Art is a universal form of communication. Accessible public art pieces can become gathering spaces and can lead to conversations that strengthen our ability to connect with one another. As a lover of music and theatre, the people playing the instrument or acting in costume can have any set of language abilities, but that does not hinder the joy they provide their audience. In Richmond, we have art classes for all ages and backgrounds. Art teachers are skilled at bringing out the artist in us all. They encourage our creativity to run free.
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. We need to stop treating language barriers as if they are insurmountable.
Rahim Othman
Art as universal language transcends words. It has no language barriers. It can be understood not only by art critics trained in deciphering the meaning of its symbols, but by any human being who cares enough to engage with the image. Art is used to convey an idea or feeling. Arts has no boundaries.
Melissa Zhang
Arts is a common language for all human beings.
Evan Dunfee
Story telling through different mediums is a great way to start that journey of bringing people together.
Chak Au
Art is one of the oldest forms of communication. Our ancestors used pictures and symbols to express their thoughts and ideas before written language was developed. Art, as a form of communication, appeals to the right brain, and sometimes it can convey a concept or message in a more profound, direct, and appealing manner than the written or spoken word.
5. Safety is a major concern for many residents, and although Richmond is one of the safest cities, there is a perception that some areas are not safe. How can art assist in making people feel safer?
Kash Heed
The perception of unsafe environments is real and cannot be taken lightly as it affects ones quality of life. Certain areas in Richmond are going through urban decay and attract issues that are unsightly and disturbing. Arts can play a role in ensuring that beautification projects are in place, such as paintings, sculptures etc, so we can all enjoy and somewhat normalize the activity in the area. We need to show that we care about all areas of Richmond, not just a few.
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.
Adil Awan
As the old saying goes music sooths the savage beast. I think more interaction with arts and music can go a long way in promoting peace and harmony.
Bill McNulty
Bu incorporating colour and art forms in the landscape, people become more alert and aware of their surroundings. Art in the form of murals or painted curbs and crosswalks brighten the dreary streets making a safer environment for the public, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. The myriad of beautiful street banners and boulevard gardens in Richmond encourage everyone to be more welcoming and friendly, easing the tensions of city life. The inclusion of sculptures, utility box wraps and the natural beauty of development and landscape give us a sense of security, City beautification from art will hopefully instill a sense of pride and deter crime.
Alexa Loo
Art can be used in wayfinding, designing and decorating spaces. A well designed space that is beautiful feels safer and is easier to navigate.
Elsa Wong
Crowds, if we can create a venue where larger crowds are meant to gather and enjoy arts, then it is a lot safer than being alone walking in the street. It would be a lot safer to have arts being displayed at a centralized location than have them spread out in 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 exploitive elements through strong bylaws, enforcement, and police funding. In Richmond, we have seen the international nature of modern crime, and how billions of dollars in laundered money ended up in local real estate – and we must ensure that our society can address that. That said, to me, Richmond has always felt safe.
Sheldon Starrett
Public art can open parts of the city up that may previously have been dark and dilapidated at night, thus creating safer spaces for the public to enjoy.
Carol Day
Ultimately this is a RCMP job but if artists created drawings showing how safe various areas were with pictures of children playing together, seniors chatting, families talking as they walk with strollers that would help . A positive message is crucial and through simple versions of art and communication I think we can accomplish that.
Michael Wolfe
A solution is to apply to the Community Mural Program, to brighten up some of the dark pathways that our children travel along. It has been shown that murals discourage graffiti. Just this past summer, Hamilton received its first Street Banners – another display of public art to provide a sense of belonging.
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.
Rahim Othman
Creating art relieves stress, encourages creative thinking, increases brain plasticity, imparts other mental health benefits and assist in making people feel safer.
Melissa Zhang
Properly designed Art can bring peace, friendship, fellowship and respect each other to our community.
Evan Dunfee
Personally I would like to see much more street art, place making, that sort of thing. This would create a sense of community, while also creating more inviting spaces that people want to spend time in and in Jane Jacobs words those “eyes on the street” would help with public safety. Street art has also been shown to slow cars down and make the roads safer.
Chak Au
People don’t feel safe when they are isolated. The COVID-19 pandemic will have a long negative impact on people’s mental wellness. We have witnessed that art activities, even performed online, have served people well in breaking down their psychological isolation. Likewise, people feel more connected and safer when they attend cultural activities together. A good example was the mid-summer art exhibition featuring local artists in painting textiles, photography and mixed media in a local shopping mall.
6. Seniors are a growing segment of Richmond’s population, and although we have the longest average lifespan in Canada, we rate low in rankings measuring a sense of belonging within a community. In your opinion, how can the arts help address our wellness and sense of belonging among our seniors, and what role should the City play?
Kash Heed
The City needs to be the primary source for creating not only appropriate housing for seniors, but also ensuring we respect our elders, actively promote quality of life issues in partnership with Richmond’s network of community organizations such as the arts coalition, and engage seniors in activities through a multitude of programs.
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.
Adil Awan
I have aging parents and I would like to see more inclusivity with the arts community. Let’s reach out to various organizations and invite them to the table and see how we can improve acceptance.
Bill McNulty
Participation in the arts helps foster a greater sense of community and belonging. Providing the opportunity for social interaction and emotional connection is critical in the senior population. In turn, by being involved in an art program, positive feelings about out community are formed, increasing our sense of well-being. New friendships are created which often become long-term relationships. Companionship and mental stimulation lead to more satisfying and healthy lives. Not only seniors, but people of all ages develop a sense of pride and belonging in our community when they are participating in an arts program, whether it is dancing, painting, singing, or gardening, as well as providing exercise, the real benefits of participation in the arts are social engagement and a sense of accomplishment. The arts are the heart and soul of a healthy community.
Alexa Loo
People feel that they belong when they contribute and feel needed. Bringing seniors together to create art projects that are installed throughout the city will help build connections and create a sense of ownership and belonging. I would support more projects that fill this role.
Elsa Wong
The city can increase the number of senior arts programs at the community centers so that they can gather, participate, and have a sense of belonging and be part of the City.
Dennis Page
One of my core beliefs on politics is that it serves to be the middle ground between the needs of the few and the many. 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. With programs that have the needs of seniors in mind, we can keep them better connected and improve their quality of life.
Sheldon Starrett
Arts engagement is one of the best ways we can engage seniors and keep them living active and healthy lifestyles, by supporting mental and emotional wellness. During the COVID-19 Pandemic isolation and depression greatly affected seniors, especially in Richmond. Arts activities and performances are a way we can mitigate these negative health outcomes.
Eric Yung
The arts can be a form of expression from the community. As we have art displays from the community, we create additional means to highlight issues and foster dialogue, as expressions from groups like seniors in our community. The City needs to encourage local art forms and mediums and showcase such methods of self-expression to reach the greater Richmond community.
Carol Day
The biggest problem for seniors is isolation and art has the ability to get people out of their houses and into a welcoming environment. Art is key because people love to talk about how they relate to art and maybe that could foster new relationships? The City could host these events at little or no cost .
Michael Wolfe
Historical art pieces remind us of the past and provide a shared sense of place. I know many residents (myself included) that are pleased when they see a familiar photograph or artifact from the past, but even more so when it is something they can interact with. Seniors love when artists come to care facilities, and adult programs. They provide a reason to gather. My mother-in-law suffers from dementia, and yet she remembers when a guitar player came by to play oldies, or when she does art projects with her friends. Art is healing.
Jack Trovato
I am convinced that the arts can enrich the quality of life of countless seniors in Richmond. Our new seniors’ centre can be used in many ways to promote wellness and a sense of belonging in our senior community. Local artists might be invited to come into the centre and breathe life into it through their art. I am confident we could offer our senior residents many excellent choices with some coordination. The result will be more community building and a stronger sense of what it means to live in Richmond.
Fipe Wong
Arts bring people together especially for seniors in our community, With new programs that can keep our seniors engaged in and feel a sense of belonging and a safe place to be connected to others in our community.
Mark Lee
Isolation in any demographic is detrimental to well-being and one of the best ways to fight it is through intergenerational 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. The City’s role is to put up the funds and be a hub for communication across organizations wanting to put together such intergenerational initiatives.
Rahim Othman
Art therapy creates a calming effect and can help to manage behaviour. Seniors who live with chronic pain can find themselves depressed and discouraged. Art therapy can relieve that stress and help with pain management. The City should create more art programs for seniors to learn art and participate in art work. This helps increase a sense of self worth and belonging.
Melissa Zhang
More programs of arts for seniors, especially programs to engage youth to work with seniors. City should be more retroactively spread the word out to inspire more local business and volunteers for senior services.
Jasmine Piao
The arts helps to foster a strong sense of place and belonging, and supports holistic wellness of seniors through gathering in common creative spaces, social connection and collaboration with other creators, and engaging the mind and body through creative process and fine-motor skills. The City should continue to activate accessible creative spaces in City facilities, community places serving seniors, and bring arts to seniors at shared residences through mobile arts programs. This could include adapting the Arts Truck program model for senior arts programs.
Evan Dunfee
I think I’ve touched on many of my ideas here already in terms of bringing people together and fostering identity. Primarily I think the City’s role has to be in providing those opportunities and creating the space for the arts to thrive.
Chak Au
I recently attended “The Faces of Richmond” art exhibition as a celebration of seniors and older adults through art at the Minoru Centre of Community Living. It was a reminder that the older members of our community have so much to share with people of every age through their stories, experience, and wisdom. It is an excellent example of creating a sense of community across all ages by building a strong link among them through art.
7. Richmond is a relatively young city, with well-planned neighbourhoods and infrastructure. Do you feel the arts and artists should be included in City projects in areas such as planning, transportation, and sustainability? Why or why not?
Kash Heed
As I have indicated, arts are a major staple of society and should be integrated in everything we do as a public body in Richmond.
Jerome Dickey
Yes, very much so. Arts and artists should not be an afterthought to city growth. Art is part of us, helping us communicate, inspire, and express the reality of our society today and our visions of what it can be tomorrow. For most projects, art and artists should be incorporated into the planning, design, and construction processes so Richmond is not just a city but a community, home, and destination that inspires the best in people and our lives. I appreciate the Richmond Arts Coalition advocating for arts in Richmond.
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.
Adil Awan
Yes absolutely, The arts and music bring people together. Let’s do more of it.
Bill McNulty
Yes, definitely they should be included. Their expertise and perspective is very important to all areas. The Richmond Advisory Design Panel already has artists on it and members with an artistic background.
Alexa Loo
The arts are included in all of the city projects – from the design itself, to the communication pieces that inform the public. We should continue doing this and build our roster of Richmond artists that we use for so many things here in Richmond.
Elsa Wong
They can certainly be involved with planning, it will help to organize and express their creation the way they meant to be. In terms of transportation, no, not necessarily because that’s the province’s responsibility. As far as sustainability is concerned, if there is a location where arts are being displayed and promoted throughout the year or for a long duration of time, then it would be wise to have artists to be involved to sustain and renew the arts being displayed.
Dennis Page
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. Areas that definitely would benefit from the arts and artists contributing include creating venues, workspaces and studios, and the creation of commercialization projects and public cultural spaces. Council should maintain good cooperation and planning to help create and sustain a healthy city for the arts to thrive.
Sheldon Starrett
I believe that incorporating arts into planning can help allow more amenities for residents to experience and enjoy local art. With transportation, I think it is important public art services are accessible to all residents of the city (and to those coming from outside the city to enjoy our artistic spaces). We need to be smart about how we create more artistic/performance venues, and plan transit around that.
Eric Yung
The arts should always be included in City projects. Art can be used as a medium to beautify the projects, or as an expression of community and culture that the projects are trying to foster, and also as a means by which we can detail the history and continuity of our community, which will community their sustainability.
Carol Day
Yes BUT I think it is crucial to use local artists and themes that the people of Richmond can generally relate to. Everything from manhole covers, pump stations, fences , walls etc etc can be a opportunity to showcase our own artists…
Michael Wolfe
Yes, arts and artists should be in City Projects, like the upcoming Steveston Community Centre. Well planned locations can anticipate the flow of people and do not impede movement but provide value-added experiences at our facilities. Art projects are also well suited for busier arterial roads to provide more visibility. I’ve been interested in personal and organizational environmental sustainability for a long time, and art is used to provide a visual of the responsibilities of user groups, so it has utilitarian value as well.
Mark Lee
City planning continues to be 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. The creative lengths that artists go to study and hone their craft often integrates learnings from alternative knowledge sources, and that’s exactly what we need when looking at sustainability and liveability.
Keefer Pelech
Absolutely. If we do not include artists within the planning process, then many ideas are introduced too late for implementation. Artists may have a different perspective on how spaces can be beautified or activated so that the public can better utilized or reinterpret their landscape. Art is also often a medium for communication and we could employ local artists for programs around public engagement or speaking to shared issues such as climate change.
Rahim Othman
Cities gain value through public art – cultural, social, and economic value. Public art is a distinguishing part of our public history and our evolving culture. It reflects and reveals our society, adds meaning to our cities and uniqueness to our communities. For these reasons, arts and artists should be included in City projects in various areas.
Melissa Zhang
Yes, it’s always good to plan ahead and work collectively.
Jasmine Piao
The arts and artists should be involved in City projects, as creative thinkers bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, forming a collaborative in project processes. Commissioning artists in components of City projects and incorporating the arts, supports expressing ideation and inquiry in the community, and enhances Richmond’s arts, heritage, culture, and liveability. Integrating the arts in City projects increases economic opportunities for artists and encourages meaningful contributions to the local community. As the arts in City projects also invites the public for inquiry, dialogue, and engagement, residents make stronger connections to their City.
Evan Dunfee
Absolutely. Art is a crucial part in creating the urban fabric that we interact with on a daily basis. Whether it be through murals, street art, street furniture there are so many way that art should be integrated into our planning. Creating spaces where people want to spend time, that want to move slowly through and stop and chat to their neighbours. As we strive towards big goals around creating connected communities, adapting to climate change, and moving towards most of our trips being taken walking, rolling or on transit arts and artists have a crucial role to play in ensuring we can reach those goals.
Bill Han
Yes. Vancouver’s Granville Island area is one of my favorite places to visit. Richmond’s Steveston area is another. I like the art elements they contain and it not only makes our city even more beautiful but also contribute to our tourist industry which is vital to a lot of Richmond’s small businesses.
Chak Au
Yes! I always admire and appreciate the unique perspectives artists could bring to the table through their special visions and lens.
8. Richmond has had a successful Public Art program for more than 15 years, resulting in one of the most impressive inventories of similar sized Canadian cities contributing to the vibrancy of the City. How would you like to see the program evolve over the next ten years?
Kash Heed
Building on what we have accomplished over the past 15 years, we need to support and ensure we move this to the next level so everyone who lives, works, or plays in Richmond can enjoy what our artists have and are creating.
Jerome Dickey
Since my expertise is not in art, other than paint by numbers, I appreciate others with a talent for art to advocate for what is wanted and needed. I believe we need to consider longer-term planning for sustainable funding can be aligned to support it. I would also like to ensure more education around arts and have a consultive process with residents. Let’s continue building upon what Richmond has as the city continues to grow.
Andy Hobbs
It’s important to keep the reserve healthy and non-political. According to those directly involved, the reserve is healthy and the contributions are sufficient to maintain the impressive inventory your question describes. To my knowledge, based on conversations with staff involved, it’s working really well so over the next 10 years, it’s important that our policies continue to support the staff who are knowledgeable and have expertise.
Adil Awan
Let’s bring in various ethnic communities into the fold to show us their art. Let’s see their art from where home country.
Bill McNulty
We need more public art such as murals, gardens and statues to make are city unique and vibrant. Increased awareness and promotion of the arts programming need boosting. A dedicated arts reader board in the city with a connection to the city website would boost the arts. The artists themselves also need to be promoted. Richmond is blesses with many prominent artists that deserve more recognition for their work.
Alexa Loo
I would like to look at other revenue sources and support the goals and strategic plans of our art groups here in Richmond. While I have some ideas that include partnerships top build on what we have, I’d really like to hear from the art community. Art is continually evolving and the next 10 years should be artist-led.
Elsa Wong
As mentioned, Richmond is doing great work in terms of the Public Art Program, like everything else, there’s always room to improve, like a centralized venue, perhaps more outdoor display during the warmer and dryer months, a better or expanded theatre for performers, and come up with plans that will attract more artist and performers to stay in Richmond when they wish to have a performance.
Dennis Page
I am not familiar with this program.
Eric Yung
The Richmond Public Art program has developed an impressive inventory – but it perhaps most needs to be displayed. Support for more public art spaces would allow future development of the program to better highlight the inventory. Over the next ten years, I believe the program needs to diversify – it consists almost entirely of paintings, and sculpture, and I think broadening to audio collections (music, spoken poetry, oral storytelling) or electronic medium arts would help it be more relevant and inclusive.
Carol Day
Again I would like to see local artists showcased or at least from Canada I also like to see original art and not a repeat version of something that can be found in other cities around the world.
Michael Wolfe
I’d like the program to continue adding statement pieces that serve as landmarks throughout Richmond. I already see a growing appreciation for natural art, like with driftwood and collections of river debris, and I expect that to grow. I would like art programs to enhance our collective consciousness and add to our sense of connection. I would also like to see expansion to the Artist in Residence program, as I’ve seen firsthand their engaging and thought-provoking workshops.
Jack Trovato
Collaborating with the public is very important and embraces the true essence of what it means to live out the arts in every aspect of life. For instance, if you look at the front door of the West Richmond Community Centre, you will find some fine tile work around the door. Many people do not realize students at a neighbouring school painted those tiles. A local artist supervised them, and many participants were involved in the installation. We need to continue doing projects like this – it enriches our City, makes it more aesthetically pleasing and builds community.
Fipe Wong
We need to continue to build on that, Arts build communities, and that is so needed in Richmond.
Mark Lee
I would like to see Public Art programs and their input to be included and integrated into city infrastructure projects with the express purpose of ensuring that all built environment reflects the culture and experience of the community. I hope that the Public Art program would evolve to include a multilingual registry and archive. I’d also like to see a stronger integration of Public Art with agriculture and conservation.
Keefer Pelech
I would love to see more local artists featured within the Public Art program – through commissions and calls for submission, as well as for more ways for the public to access the various pieces throughout the city. This might include walking tours, feature events with the artist, and apprenticeships or workshops to train the next generation of artists.
Rahim Othman
The City should continue and capitalize on previous successes by enhancing and advancing the program to compare to major cities around the world. Richmond has an opportunity to be a major hub for Arts on the national and eventually on the international stage. This can be achieved by more national and international collaboration in the Public Art program
Melissa Zhang
To enhance the program by engaging more local artists from all communities in our city and work together for a better Richmond.
Evan Dunfee
I would like to see much more street art and art that plays with the built design. Art that is more integrated into way finding and slowly people down will be very important over the next decade as we try to move more people out of their cars towards transit and active transportation. As we almost certainly begin to densify our existing detached neighbourhoods there will be tons of opportunities for public art in more parts of the city to create distinct identities and community throughout the city.
Bill Han
I think our Public Art program are great and we should continue what we’ve done for the past 15 years by ensuring not only sufficient funding from the city itself but advocating more from other levels of governments to maintain our leading position.
Chak Au
The Richmond Arts Strategy has laid a good foundation for the development of the City’s public art program. It has served as a guide for policy making and program development for the arts to thrive in Richmond. With continuous consultation with the public, the artist community, and other stakeholders, it will only make our public art program better in every respect. I would like to see more opportunities for internationally renowned artists and emerging local artists working together to create high quality artworks in our community.
9. How can you, in your role on the City Council, help support the arts in Richmond?
Kash Heed
Be a true supporter of arts and culture and be accessible to organizations who are working to make Richmond a better place.
Jerome Dickey
As a City Councilor, I bring expertise as a Mediator and Business Professional which will enhance the ability of City Council to work together better by bringing forward the value of different perspectives for informed decision making. Although I can not guarantee a particular outcome, I can and will ensure the voice of the arts community in Richmond is heard and supported.
Andy Hobbs
I believe my answers give an indication of that. Beyond personal interests and recognition of the importance that the arts have had throughout history and in any civilization, it’s mainly about having City policies in place that provide support, staff, funding and opportunity. Our dedicated reserve and funding processes seems to be working according to the staff members I’ve chatted with who work in that area.
Adil Awan
As a councilor, I will be donating 50% of my net councilor salary back into Richmond. I have been a resident since 1974 and our family has donated to various causes and organization not only within Richmond but around the world. Richmond has offered many opportunities and I want to give back more. The salary would go to various organizations, charities, families and individuals who need it the most. The art would be one of the groups I would donate to.
Bill McNulty
By supporting the arts financially and attending all events and exhibitions. I am making a small contribution to the arts. I support the arts and cultural community city grants. I advocate leveraging for new and improved spaces for the arts. In addition, we need to explore more partnerships with the city for locations for exhibitions in places of business. We can request rehearsal space in new city developments that remain empty in non-working hours and on weekends. I support expanding the Richmond Arts Awards.
Alexa Loo
I will continue to work for more funding opportunities and the implementation of more ideas to have art in every element of our lives. I will also work to protect the funds that are collected for public art to ensure they are spent on public art, with a heavy emphasis on local artists getting the commissions. Supporting the arts means supporting the artists with paid commissions as well as supported maker spaces.
Elsa Wong
I think that the Old Senior Center is a perfect location to further support and promote arts and culture. The city shall spend some money to refurbish and convert the building to accommodate this purpose, the land is there, the building is there, it will save a lot of funding from doing it all from scratch.
Dennis Page
I can use my voice to help ensure that the support going to the arts represents a wide range of perspectives, is inclusive, and is used to 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. While the city is providing support – I can ensure that support is going towards initiatives that serve to boost the community as a whole. That would include marketing neighbourhoods, branding communities, offering career-building opportunities, creating jobs through events, and creating business ventures that cater to the needs.
Sheldon Starrett
I would be able to support the Richmond Public Art Strategy, which is contributing and support the local arts scene in the city, making it one of the most notable in all of Canada for a city in our size category. I would like to see this growth continue, and encourage more artists to live and make their art in Richmond.
Eric Yung
Art needs to be supported as a consistent priority when making decision of funding, since it can quite often be overlooked. Policies like having the public art project be 1% of the total approved cost of capital project construction costs are past policies that allow a consistent focus on arts funding. I would try and support the arts by keeping a consistent focus on funding of the arts as part of all funding discussions.
Carol Day
As a city councillor you will vote to accept public art pieces, fund galleries, museums and programs. We also vote on the budgets which directly affects the arts. We have the ability to promote or extinguish art. As a city councillor I am committed to supporting art in Richmond from the grade one student who has a drawing displayed at city hall to the professional artist who is featured in the art gallery.
Michael Wolfe
As I have during my one term in office, I will vote in favour of financing and advocating for art installations in new developments. I visit our Mural Project sites to ensure everything is maintained and I always look for new pieces to explore with my wife and daughter, like the Storywalks at McLean Park and the Nature Park. During a next term I will take leadership to create a neighbourhood welcome sign program.
Jack Trovato
The “arts” is a blanket term which encompasses many different expressions and movements. As a councillor, I would make the inclusion of art an intricate part of all city projects and support the continuation of the Richmond Arts Strategy, which ends in 2024. There needs to be a fundamental change of focus toward making the arts a priority, not an afterthought. We could continue to solicit contributions from the public and local artists, just like the City does with the street banners. We could also hold city contests for young people to develop ideas for beautifying parts of our City.
Mark Lee
I believe we can further consult with artists and makers to identify gaps in the current Richmond Arts Strategy, and work to identify additional sources of funding for local initiatives. As a Councillor, I would be an intentional advocate for the Arts, especially in terms of promoting artist spaces and partnerships, as well as pushing for cross-cultural, cross-linguistic engagement.
Keefer Pelech
The ArtWorks Richmond Arts Strategy that was adopted in 2019 provides a strong framework for how the City can support the arts community within Richmond. I would work to foster and implement many of these recommendations as well as push for a robust, targeted update once the plan reaches the end of its timeline in 2024. Another major barrier for working artists includes housing which is a larger issue in Richmond and the lower mainland. I would push for housing policies that promote more affordable housing at large as well as the creation of more dedicated artists’ residences in Richmond.
Rahim Othman
Discuss with stakeholders to better understand the needs and prioritize them. Act as a representative and advocate for the stakeholders on the City Council.
Melissa Zhang
Happy life of our residents will never leave arts aside.
Jasmine Piao
Continue conversations with the arts community, residents, and City staff in how to best approach and implement initiatives and programs outlined in the City’s Arts Strategy. Reduce barriers in implementation where possible, and encourage actionable steps for improvement and growth. Advocate for arts education and accessibility to the arts for all ages and demographics.
Evan Dunfee
We can create policies that prioritize and help the arts sector thrive. We can make sure we are appropriately funding, and using community amenity funds to provide these incredibly important community amenities. We can make sure that art is built into the foundation of our housing, climate and transportation policies so that it isn’t an afterthought.
Bill Han
I think arts are one of many important ways to enrich people’s spirits, which happen to be the ultimate result we want from making vital city council decisions for Richmondites’ well-being. I agree that “arts and artists should be included in City projects in areas such as planning, transportation, and sustainability”. And that city councillors should engage and consult more with artists to strengthen the city’s creative industry for everyone’s good.
Chak Au
I will continue to support the City’s arts strategy and the public art program. I will also work with all stakeholders to provide more resources and opportunities for “artists” of all ages and at very levels, from beginners to the advanced.
Thank you to the candidates for their responses.
For more info on how to vote this year, please go to http://richmond.ca/elections .