Arts and Business Council

 In no set order, the nine recommendations from the Task Force are:

1. Establish an arts and business council, envisioned to be structured as a non-profit organization (NPO).
2. Develop an inventory of indoor and outdoor, public and private spaces that are underutilized and could be repurposed for arts-based uses.
3. Create a street art program – pavement art, laneway activation, and art initiatives and experiences including temporary installations and projects.
4. Re-invigorate and review existing events and/or explore creation of new events and festivals (e.g., Festival of the Arts, Wearable Arts, winter festival, Mural Fest).
5. Collection and distribution of news, updates, events, etc. across the community and partnership building (likely a function of the arts and business council).
6. Identify the experiences that will define the City of the Arts and tell these stories.  
7. Leverage emerging development and funding for long-term, permanent supply of arts spaces, initiatives, and experiences, and to invest in public realm improvements and building design.
8. Encourage use of building colour and other vibrant artistic expressions to facilitate placemaking. The streetscapes, site planning, colour palette, etc. can be a critical basis for creating hubs/vibrancy, attracting certain types of businesses, and other complementary pieces that make up such communities.
9. Create a program to partner artists with landowners (including the City) to repurpose and reinvigorate existing buildings and public areas into arts spaces.

The six City-policy “quick wins” identified by the MABCTF (in no particular order) are: 

1. Create a policy to require art panels along development fencing (including City projects).
2. Review and update the City’s Public Art Policy to align with other City policies and plans.
3. Review Council’s annual grant distribution to local groups/establish an arts-based community grant program, prioritizing Port Moody-based organizations.
4. Explore the creation of a program to enable businesses with a valid business licence to use park space at no cost, if class is free.
5. Explore the creation of a program to allow non-profit organizations and community-based groups to use (civic) space, including parks, for free or at a reduced rate, with preference given to Port Moody-based organizations.
6. Explore the development of a free or reduced business licence for artists. 

 One additional action was suggested by staff during the meeting:  

1. Develop a “City of the Arts” logo that can be used by the community without the restrictions of the City’s official logo.