Cultural Infrastructure in BC: Maps, Gaps and Planning Outlook for Creative Communities

1
Cultural Infrastructure in BC Maps, Gaps and
Planning Outlook for Creative Communities Dr.
Catherine Murray April 24, 2008 British Columbia
Recreation and Parks AssociationThe Way
Forward Symposium 2008 Victoria, BC
2

Recreation and culture are the mortar between the
bricks that create a community. They make people
want to be here. Communities that are built
without them are built without heart. Sport,
culture and heritage infrastructure are all
wellness recreation that brings quality of life
and heart to a community. Source Comments cited
in Vis-à-vis Management Resources Inc. (2007)

3
Growing Demand for Cultural Infrastructure
Investment Multiple Factors
Growth and evolution of the cultural community
Community dynamics Economic shifts Social
and demographic trends
Aging infrastructure
4
Key Issues Demographics and Demand
Population growth and redistribution puts
pressure on existing infrastructure. An aging
population is increasing demand for cultural
services and opportunities. Rising facility
standards and expectations, among both producers
and audiences. Changing nature of activities,
shifting preferences and demands can lead to need
for accelerated refitting and/or replacement of
infrastructure. Community economic
restructuring and reinvention gt tourism gt
cultural infrastructure amenities
5
Key Issues
Infrastructure Failure March 2007 The roof of
the historic Prairie Art Gallery (northwestern
Alberta) collapsed without warning under the
weight of snow.
5
6
Key Issues Aging Buildings
A crisis of aging cultural buildings, and the
difficulty of adapting older buildings to new
technologies, building codes, and emerging
cultural practices. The majority of cultural
infrastructure is 35 to 60 years old and at or
near the end of its lifecycle. Cultural
facilities are often situated within heritage
buildings, which require close attention to
maintenance and condition monitoring.
7
FCM Reports Major Community Infrastructure
Deficit
November 2007 Federation of Canadian
Municipalities released Danger Ahead The Coming
Collapse of Canadas Municipal Infrastructure
(Mirza, 2007). Canadas municipal
infrastructure deficit estimated to be 123
billion, including a 40.2 billion sub-deficit
for community, recreational, cultural and social
infrastructure for existing infrastructure.
Facilities included in this category need
immediate attention, as many facilities are in
poor condition and have inadequate capacity.
Aging and accumulated deterioration have also
strained these facilities considerably (p. 14).
8
Cultural Infrastructure in British
ColumbiaSignificant Shortfall
May 2007 Report to the BC Ministry of
Tourism, Sport, and the Arts includes a
preliminary inventory of cultural infrastructure
projects requiring funding either major
renovations or new purpose-built structures.
British Columbia has a significant arts, culture
and heritage infrastructure shortfall valued at
more than 1.25 billion. Furthermore, information
about the shortfall is incomplete. On average
the cultural capital stock is at least as old and
likely older than the sport and recreation
infrastructure. It may also be in poorer
condition.
9
Cultural Infrastructure in British Columbia
KnowledgeGaps
No comprehensive inventory of existing
facilities No formal infrastructure assessment
The exact nature and extent of the cultural
infrastructure shortfall is unknown. Surveys and
assessments are required to determine age and
condition of the infrastructure. No complete
cost estimate for Retrofit and upgrade needs
for existing facilities Major renovations and
expansions New purpose-built structures
10
Mapping BC Cultural Infrastructure Inventory
Issues
Patchwork of inventories Full spectrum of
cultural infrastructure not captured Contain
limited information Complexity of ownership
Geographic scope vs. accuracy Not kept
up-to-date
11
Mapping BC Cultural Infrastructure Overview of
Inventories

• MUSEUMS
• Canadian Heritage Information Network - 266
  museums in BC
• BC Museums Association - 49 provincial museums
  107 community/regional museums and heritage
  spaces
• Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC - 7 First
  Nation-owned museums and/or cultural centres with
  art galleries
• ART GALLERIES
• BC Museums Association - 37 art galleries
  contemporary, fine, or decorative arts
• Canadian Heritage Information Network - 9 art
  galleries in BC
• Artists in Canada.com - 140 art galleries
  (public, commercial, and cooperative)
• Pacific Association of Artist-Run Centres - 16
  artist-run centres
• Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC - 6 First
  Nation-owned art galleries
• Assembly of BC Arts Councils - 21 art galleries
  (other than in arts centres)
• HISTORIC SITES
• Heritage BC - 11 Provincially owned historic
  sites

12
Mapping BC Cultural Infrastructure Overview of
Inventories

• COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRES/VENUES
• Assembly of BC Arts Councils - 21 arts centres
• BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
  - 24 urban-based Friendship (Cultural) Centres
• PERFORMING ARTS VENUES (theatre, dance, music)
• BC Touring Council - 49 performing arts venues
  (theatres)
• Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC - 3 First
  Nations cultural spaces/museums that also serve
  as dance performance venues
• Assembly of BC Arts Councils - 10 theatres

13
Mapping BC Cultural Infrastructure Overview of
Inventories

• FILM, TELEVISION AND NEW MEDIA
• National Film Board - 1 public-owned film
  production facility
• CBC - 1 production centre with several studios
  available for rent
• BC Film Commission
• 8 purpose-built studios (one publicly owned)
• 10 special effects and broadcast studios
• 9 animation studios
• 18 post-production facilities and sound studios
• 19 new media studios
• 3 film/media arts presentation centres
• LIBRARIES
• BC Ministry of Education - 235 library branches
  (240 outlets total)
• BC Library Association - 18 BC Public Library
  Systems
• 1 First Nations library

14
Mapping BC Cultural Infrastructure Preliminary
Overview of Municipal Inventories
15
Key Funding Programs for Cultural
Infrastructure Federal Infrastructure Canada

• Two programs have supported cultural
  infrastructure in BC
• Infrastructure Canada Program, 2000-
• Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, 2003-
• In late 2007, the Building Canada Fund (BCF) was
  launched for 2008-2014, valued at 33 billion.
  This 7-year program replaces the existing
  Infrastructure Canada funding programs.

16
Key Funding Programs for Cultural
Infrastructure Federal Infrastructure Canada
Infrastructure Canada Program, 2000- 42 BC
projects, totaling 25,866,929, have received
funding (2000-05) Funded projects include
Leigh Square Community Arts Village
Chemainus Theatre Creston Public
Library
17
Key Funding Programs for Cultural
Infrastructure Federal Infrastructure Canada

• Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, 2003-
• 80 of MRIF funding is dedicated to
  municipalities lt 250,000 population
• 5 BC projects, totaling 3,734,496, have received
  funding (2003-07)
• Funded projects include
• Tsu-ma-as Transformation Centre, Port Alberni
• 100 Mile House Library

18
Key Funding Programs for Cultural
Infrastructure Federal Canadian Heritage
Cultural Spaces Canada, 2001-2010 Supports the
improvement, renovation and construction of arts
and heritage facilities, the acquisition of
specialized equipment, and feasibility
studies. Over 180 M towards 633 projects (Apr
2001-Mar 2008) 59 BC projects, totaling
13,774,659, have received funding (2001-07)
19
Key Funding Programs for Cultural
Infrastructure Federal Canadian Heritage
Cultural Spaces Canada, 2001-2010 Funded
projects include The Haida Heritage Centre at
Qay'Ilnagaay Kamloops Art Gallery Vancouver
East Cultural Centre
20
Mapping BC Cultural Infrastructure Recent
Investment  Federal Total 43,376,084
106 projects (2001 2007)
21
Mapping BC Cultural Infrastructure Recent
Investment  Federal
22
Key Funding Programs for Cultural
Infrastructure  Province of BC
Major Capital Project Grants (BC Gaming and
Information Services) for capital projects
valued at more than 20,000, with a grant ceiling
of 100,000 Spirit Squares (ArtsNow)  20
million program to create or improve outdoor
public meeting and celebration spaces
23
Cultural Infrastructure in British Columbia
Emerging Trends
In the context of strategic economic
restructuring, strategic planning initiatives
provide cross-sectoral opportunities across
cultural sectors with tourism, spurring
investments in cultural infrastructure
Integration of previously separate cultural
facilities into new all-in-one cultural
buildings, and emergence of multidisciplinary
cultural centres Emergence of new socially
congruent spaces, often linked to ethno-specific
communities
24
Key Issues Needs of BCs Cultural Community
Appropriately sized and affordable performance
venues Rehearsal, staging, and artist studio
space New purpose-built designs Venues for
Aboriginal arts and culture presentations, both
in Aboriginal communities and urban
centres Resources for maintenance and
refitting facilities to current standards and
safety codes
25
Local Government Challenges
Local governments are heavily involved in
planning, developing, funding, and operating
cultural facilities Many challenges
Recession/Restraint/Offloading Over-reliance
on Property Tax Inability to Run Budget
Deficits Competing Provincial and Municipal
Budget Priorities Infrastructure
Management Source Vis-à-vis Management
Resources Inc.
26
Emerging Planning Practices

• Collaborative, fluid, flexible
• More participatory, consultative
• Incremental approach  ongoing process with
  multiple time horizons
• Flexibility built into plans  frameworks and
  sets of criteria vs. lists

27
Activity Infrastructure Interdependence
Activities ServicesPrograms
Physical infrastructure
Physical infrastructure for recreation, sport
and culture works in tandem with the services and
programs delivered. Adequate investment in both
is essential for success.
28
Emerging Planning Practices

• Systems perspectives
• Inclusive cultural systems
• - Arts heritage multicultural
• - Heritage and cultural continuity contemporary
  practices and hybridity
• - Not-for-profit for-profit
  entrepreneurs/artists
• - Spectrum of amateur to professional activities,
  needs
• - Cultural and non-cultural partnerships,
  initiatives
• Desire to develop horizontal, coordinating
  mechanisms
• Integrated with wider community, non-cultural
  sectors
• Integrated Community Sustainability Plans
  (ICSPs)
• Wider world considerations
• - Regional ecosystems
• Comparability among communities
• - National and international connections
• - Intergovernmental coordination

29
Emerging Planning Practices

• Tools
• Cultural mapping / scanning
• Partnerships and collaborations
• Intergovernmental
• Municipal non-profits
• P3s, P4s
• Intersectoral, blended initiatives

30
Where do we go from here?
Funding and Policy Development
Case-making
Planning
The Knowledge Base
31
Making the Case for Cultural Infrastructure Bene
fits  Making the Case
32
Where do we go from here?
Age Condition Maintenance Lifecycle
mgmt. Use Fees/prices Catchments Operating costs
Subsidy levels Performance measures Benefits

• Improve the Knowledge Base
• Surveys and data assessments to determine the
  nature and size of the shortfall
• Database for planning, benchmarks and
  performance indicators
• Lifecycle planning and maintenance best practices
• Demographic analysis and projections social,
  economic, and cultural
• Environmental scans changing cultural
  practices, and changes in how we experience art
  and culture

33
Where do we go from here?

• Funding and Policy Development
• Best Practices Funding information resource
• Develop a provincial cultural infrastructure
  program
• Address intergovernmental coordination /
  relational issues  Encourage tri-partite
  cultural infrastructure initiatives,
  collaboration
• Change BC Municipal Act provide flexibility to
  municipalities to set jurisdiction where
  development cost levies go

34
Where do we go from here?

• Planning
• Facility development Design and planning
  guidelines/resources
• Better project planning and implementation
  information
• Network distributed expertise
• Regional/Borderless planning
• Regional and inter-regional planning mechanisms
• ISCPs  Integrate culture and cultural
  infrastructure into community sustainability
  planning processes
• Optimize facility use
• Partnership models and collaborations that break
  down institutional silos

35
The Way Forward Cultural Infrastructure
Growth and evolution of the cultural sector /
cultural communities
Shifting community dynamics, demand
Funding and Policy Development
Making the Case
Economic restructuring, reinvention
Planning
Aging infrastructure
Social and demographic trends
The Knowledge Base
Infrastructure gaps
36
Contact us
Centre of Expertise on Culture and
Communities Simon Fraser University Harbour
Centre (Office 3551) 515 West Hastings
Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3 Tel
778.782.7978 Email info_at_cultureandcommunities.ca w
ww.cultureandcommunities.cawww.symposium2008.ca