Re: Spread the costs of festival funding (Our View, June 14)
I am writing to clarify that the municipalities of Saanich, Victoria, Esquimalt, Oak Bay and View Royal are all significant contributors to the Capital Regional District Arts Development Programs.
Highlands, Sidney and Metchosin contribute smaller amounts, but it is true that Sooke, Langford and Colwood on the West Shore, do not contribute to CRD arts funding, nor do North Saanich or Central Saanich. We do hope that all CRD municipalities will contribute in the future, as their citizens surely enjoy many of the CRD-funded festivals in Victoria’s downtown core. With more funding, arts organizations could do much more.
We share the News’ view that local governments ought to share the costs of cultural events that help make downtown Victoria a vibrant hub and stimulate the local economy.
Peter Sandmark
executive director, ProArt Alliance of Greater Victoria