Background

In early 2023, the Mayor’s Arts and Business Coalition Task Force (MABCTF) was assembled to identify opportunities and make recommendations to City Council aimed at strengthening Port Moody’s branding as “City of the Arts." The Task Force developed nine recommendations, including the establishment of an arts and business council, and identified seven City-policy related ‘quick wins.’ Some of the nine recommendations can be completed by City staff, and the remaining will be delegated to the new arts and business council. 

 Recommendations 

 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.
 Quick wins
 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.

At the October 10, 2023 Regular Meeting (item 11.3), Council approved funding for establishing the arts and business council, and directed staff to develop a public engagement approach, which was subsequently approved in February 2024. 

In November 2023, Mayor Lahti dissolved the MABCTF and appointed a new Arts and Business Council Project Task Force (ABCPTF) to fulfill duties such as overseeing engagement with interested parties. Engagement sessions took place in April/May 2024. Find out what we heard from civic committees and the arts and business community – read the engagement summary in the May 13, 2025 Council meeting agenda (on table items, item number 7.2, Attachment 1). The ABCPTF is now dissolved after concluding its work.

Next steps

Before proceeding with the establishment of an arts and business council, the City will test this new governance model over a 12- to 18-month period via a pilot, or proof of concept, phase conducted by an arts and business specialist.

City Council approved the pilot phase on May 13, 2025, after receiving an update on the project from staff and recommendations from a consultant who planned and facilitated a community workshop in January 2025 for members of Port Moody’s arts and business community. Read the staff memo and the consultant’s report in the May 13, 2025 Council meeting agenda (on table items, item number 7.2, consultant’s report is Attachment 2).

We anticipate the arts and business specialist will be in place by summer 2025.

During the pilot phase, the arts and business specialist will have the following responsibilities: 

  • consult on and co-create a term workplan with key stakeholders to be finalized by City Council;
  • explore and evaluate governance model options with input from businesses and arts groups;
  • achieve early success by launching initiatives that connect arts and business sectors and foster mutual growth; and
  • optimize early collaborations between businesses and arts groups.

At the end of the pilot phase, the arts and business specialist will present a report, which will include learnings and recommendations for next steps, to Council for their consideration.

As the City progresses with next steps, relationship building will be a key component, and the arts and business community will have further opportunities to provide input and feedback.