A new period of dialogue between the city and the Campbell River Art Gallery (CRAG) is underway after the two organizations clashed over treatment of the downtown homeless population.
The conflict led to city council calling the CRAG a poor neighbour and a detriment to downtown and then rescinded the CRAG’s permissive tax exemption (PTE). There were also threats to deny the gallery’s grants-in-aid, a financial hit that would have potentially closed the gallery’s doors.
A spur of the moment meeting between council and the gallery’s chair didn’t forestall the PTE removal but did lead to commitment by council to working with the organization on a “productive solution and path forward, which could see the 2024 property taxes funded through Council Contingency.”
The two organizations have met since the Oct. 12 meeting.
The gallery issued a statement Oct. 25, saying the Oct. 12 council meeting “led to some hopeful results.”
“The Campbell River Art Gallery did not receive a Permissive Tax Exemption,” the statement, signed by executive director Sara Lopez Assu, says. “However, Council committed to working with the Art Gallery on a productive solution and path forward, which could see the 2024 property taxes funded through Council Contingency.
“There were some good conversations with a few city officials leading up to the meeting, including with some Hereditary leaders of the We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations. We also appreciated the Council’s interest in allowing us to present. Our Board and staff have already met with the City since the Oct. 12 meeting and remain eager to build upon our relationship.
“We also recognize the City of Campbell River’s financial contributions to the organization, through the in-kind lease and maintenance of our spaces, as well as core operating funding through the Community Grant-in-aid. In addition to the PTE, these contributions make up approximately 23 per cent of our budget ($148,000) and are essential for us to leverage other funding streams. We appreciate that the City recognizes that an investment in the Campbell River and District Public Art Gallery is an investment in our community; one with a multiplier effect. We are grateful for their support of the arts and culture.
“We look forward to working with the City and finding good solutions that benefit everyone in the community.”
READ MORE: Campbell River backs away from pulling art gallery tax support
