October 26, 2009

ARTS AND CULTURE IN MOUNT PLEASANT AREA

J. Kwan: Mount Pleasant has the highest percentage of people working in the arts and cultural sector in Canada. There are more than 250 artist studios and 38 exhibition centres including artist-run centres and commercial galleries. There are many artists who are engaging in innovative ideas who struggle to make rent, to access studio space and have performance venues. Artist-run centres and live theatre not only provide original works but are crucial to holding public discussions and artist talks and to publishing emerging ideas which contribute to the public sphere of B.C.

The Pacific Association of Artist-Run Centres represents arts facilities that exhibit contemporary art, which parallels the larger public institutions and private commercial galleries, offering an alternative to artists in determining how to represent their work.

Many of these organizations are based in my constituency — The Western Front, Artspeak, Access, the Or Gallery, the Gallery Gachet, VIVO and many others. These spaces are vital to the cultural fabric of B.C. Internationally renowned artists such as Stanley Douglas, Jeff Wall and Ken Lum have a long history in the Downtown Eastside, where they have studios, have shown their work or used the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood as part of their artwork.

I’m sad to report that Mount Pleasant is losing a place and space that has for 35 years made a distinct and important contribution to the artist-run-centre community in Vancouver. The Helen Pitt Gallery suffered a fatal blow to its operations recently and, as a result, earlier this month laid off its director and will close its doors at the end of this week.

Arts and culture nourishes the heart and soul of the social and spiritual fabric of communities and is a significant contributor to both local and provincial economies. Every dollar invested is a return of $1.36 to the province. It’s a smart investment. I ask all members of the House to join me in recognizing the arts and cultural community and thanking the Helen Pitt for their 35 years of contribution.