Letter from ProArt Alliance of Greater Victoria Re: Maintain Group 1 participation in the CRD Arts & Culture Support Service

Re: Amend CRD Arts Funding from Group 1 to Group 2 - Councillor Rogers

Dear Mayor Tobias & Council,

I am writing on behalf of the ProArt Alliance of Greater Victoria to express our support for the Town of View Royal to maintain their Group 1 participation in the CRD Arts & Culture Support Service.

ProArt and other members of the regional arts community wrote letters to View Royal Council back in September 2024 when this motion was first issued. At that time we emphasized that View Royal’s participation as a Group 1 member in this Service has been longstanding and is appreciated.

Your ongoing commitment demonstrates the value of the Arts & Culture Support Service to the strong development of arts and culture in the region. Your continued investment also indicates that the Council appreciates regional access to the arts for the citizens of View Royal. Proximity is an asset that can not be taken for granted.

At this time, we strongly encourage you to maintain Group 1 status because:

1. Sustained Access to Regional Arts Funding: Remaining a Group 1 participant ensures that View Royal continues to contribute fully to the CRD Arts and Culture Support Service, which invests over $2.5 million annually in arts grants. These funds support non-profit organizations in creating and presenting diverse arts programming that benefits the entire region, including View Royal residents.
2. Enhanced Community Well-being: Participation in the arts has been linked to improved mental health and community engagement. A 2021 report highlighted that 24% of surveyed individuals engaged in creative activities primarily to enhance mental well-being, a 12% increase from 2019. By maintaining Group 1 status, View Royal underscores its commitment to the holistic health of its citizens through robust support of the arts.
3. Direct Benefits to Local Arts Organizations: Group 1 membership allows View Royal-based arts organizations to access various CRD grants, including the newly introduced Grow Forward grants. Launched in 2025, these grants provide up to $5,000 to support mentorship, strategic planning, and significant operational adaptations, fostering a resilient and dynamic local arts sector.
4. Economic Development Through Cultural Investment: Investing in arts and culture serves as an economic catalyst by attracting tourists, creating jobs, and stimulating local businesses. The CRD's 2024-2027 Arts & Culture Strategic Plan emphasizes the role of arts funding in regional economic growth. By retaining Group 1 status, View Royal aligns with strategic initiatives that leverage cultural investments for economic development.
5. Active Participation in Regional Cultural Planning: Maintaining Group 1 status grants View Royal a significant role in regional arts policy development and funding decisions. This involvement ensures that the unique needs and perspectives of View Royal's community are represented, fostering collaborative approaches to cultural planning and resource allocation within the CRD.

ProArt represents eighteen arts and culture organizations who operate in some capacity within and across all of the CRD’s municipalities and districts. Funding from the Arts & Culture Support Service enables citizens from all municipalities to participate in some of the most engaging concerts, festivals, theatre productions, exhibitions and a further array of arts and culture events, available to folks across this country. The Capital Region is fortunate to host a life cycle of emerging to professional level arts organizations and communities providing dynamic and relevant content that enriches the lives of the region's inhabitants.

We encourage View Royal to maintain their current level of investment in the regional arts community and continue to build capacity towards a stronger and better serving arts ecosystem for the citizens of View Royal and your neighbours.

Sincerely,

Doug Jarvis Administrator ProArt Alliance of Greater Victoria