Making space for arts and culture: Vancouver leads the way in arts ownership
Project: adapting regulations through the community amenity contribution policies
The Purpose
The purpose of the Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) policies is to prioritize the development of arts and cultural spaces in city-building. The primary goal is to create more opportunities for community ownership, fostering a vibrant arts and culture scene within the city.
The Challenge
The challenge was the existing limitations on arts and cultural spaces within the city and a lack of opportunities for community ownership. It involved the need to include arts and culture in the list of eligible in-kind or cash Community Amenity Contributions (CAC) and permit local band offices, co-operatives, or non-profit ownership models.
By allowing arts and culture to be included in CAC contributions and permitting various ownership models, the city is creating a more inclusive and vibrant arts and culture scene.
The Solution
The solution involved working collaboratively with the Planning Department to revise policies and regulations. This included adding arts and culture to the list of eligible CAC contributions, and ensuring that community-owned spaces could be established. Local band offices, co-operatives and non-profit ownership models were permitted to facilitate increased community ownership of arts and culture spaces.
The Impact
The impact was the removal of barriers that restricted arts and culture space development and community ownership. By allowing arts and culture to be included in CAC contributions and permitting various ownership models, the city is creating a more inclusive, vibrant arts and culture scene. The result is an increase in opportunities for community ownership and the growth of a dynamic cultural landscape.
Source: World Cities Culture Report 2022
Images Courtesy © Getty/Canva
