Congratulations to city council and city staff for recently endorsing the public art policy.
This policy has been many years in the making and represents a maturing of the arts, culture and heritage sector of our amazing city, Campbell River. While it is lamentable that council could not endorse the funding levels required to make the policy truly effective, an aspect that city staff recognized, at least the need and momentum for the policy was acknowledged.
No doubt a policy is rather ‘toothless’ without adequate funding, but change occurs slowly perhaps.
The quality of art in public spaces reflects very closely the quality of life or quality of experience within a community. Campbell River is gifted with a first class museum, art gallery, performing arts theatre and province-leading arts council.
We have the history and we have the contemporary talent necessary to produce locally a world-class city within which to live and invest.
All economic, social and cultural sectors must participate as equal partners in the creation of a desirable living environment. Public art is a major tool to compliment the positive evolution of this lived environment.
Within a city that desires to have a livable, animated and populated downtown core, public art, in all of its variation, creates an experience reflective of the innovation, creativity and imagination contained within the unique local population.
All of us in Campbell River must be proactive in continuing to create the kind of place we can be proud of living and working within We are on the cusp of great change here.
Let’s keep the momentum moving forward Campbell River. The arts and culture sector is firmly alongside you.
Ken Blackburn, Executive Director
Campbell River Arts Council
