There is confusion and controversy in Salmon Arm’s art scene over the name of two groups and their purpose and direction.
The recently formed Shuswap Society for Arts and Culture is dedicated to the construction and management of a community multi-purpose performing arts centre for Salmon Arm.
“We’ve decided to move ahead on two fronts,” said society spokesperson Doug Leatherdale, whose recent request for $35,000 from city council for a feasibility study, or staff support for securing the funds, was turned down.
“We are going to continue to look for funding to hire a consultant to complete the feasibility study and we’re going to form a roundtable of supporters and potential users.”
Members of the roundtable would be expected to provide ideas and advice on how to proceed.
During his presentation on behalf of the Shuswap Society for Arts and Culture, which recently held its first AGM, Leatherdale noted there seems to be an imbalance between sports and arts funding, with sports getting the lion’s share.
He assured councillors the group has garnered support for a performing arts centre from the majority of other local arts groups.
But Tracey Kutschker, director/curator of the Shuswap and District Arts Council, which has been in operation for 44 years, says nobody from the society has approached the arts council.
As well, she says there is a great deal of confusion about which group is working on a performing arts centre because of the similarity in names.
“People are coming in here saying, ‘I hear you’re looking for a new place,’” she says. “No we’re not, and I can’t understand why nobody came to ask us about it. It’s the arts council’s role and, of course we want to support and nurture the arts.”
At a recent arts mixer, people from the arts council’s member groups also assumed the organization supports the performing art centre.
Kutschker says big cities like Toronto have identified that their small venues are the driving force behind a vibrant cultural scene.
And gallery assistant Diana Pratt-Johnson notes the Vancouver Playhouse was recently closed because it was not getting big enough audiences.
Kutschker says when the 750-seat Vernon Performing Arts Centre went to referendum in 1999, Salmon Arm, Chase and Sicamous were considered to be in the pool of probable patrons.
“Vernon is always booked and they’re still struggling,” she says of the facility that is owned by the Regional District of North Okanagan and operated by a non-profit society. “We should expect the city to support arts, but you can’t do the single-purpose (arts only) thing anymore.”
Kutschker is concerned about the perception the arts council is not happy with the level of support the city provides.
“I don’t want anyone thinking the city has not supported us,” she says. “We’re entering this phase of mutual respect and I wouldn’t want to jeopardize this excellent relationship.”
Kutschker would like to see a cultural master plan that, like the city’s recreational plan, provides direction over the long term and includes all the groups that might need facilities, including First Nations, arts and education.
Back on city council after a three-year hiatus, Coun. Kevin Flynn asked tough questions when Leatherdale made his presentation. He says past councils have done a good job over the years of providing the community and taxpayers with excellent amenities.
“We have also worked with the arts group and other community organizations like Fall Fair and Roots and Blues to support and enhance initiatives that make our community an attractive place to reside in and raise a family.”
Flynn says he has agreed that a performing arts centre would be a very good addition to the community, but makes clear he is not in favour of a single-purpose venue run by a single organization that has no established partnerships.
When he was last on council, he says, the society was asked to provide proof there is a need for a large performing arts centre, to form partnerships and to produce a business plan
“Very little has changed. None of that has happened…” he said.
Flynn says his vision for the future is more aligned with Kutschker’s master plan – similar to the city’s recreation plan and one that finds and prioritizes needs and wants, and identifies gaps as well.
“I’d rather see taxpayers’ dollars spent on that than on a feasibility study for one sole-purpose building that might house five to 10 big events a year,” he says of events that might not be accommodated by any current infrastructure. He said questions remain about who would pay for or maintain such a facility properly.
“What you’ve got is an organization trying to do something with good intention. I’m not against their vision, but I think it would end up being a big drain in capital and operating costs.”