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A new task force, the Mayor’s Arts and Business Coalition Task Force, will identify opportunities and make recommendations to Council aimed at strengthening Port Moody’s branding as City of the Arts. 

"With the introduction of Council's Strategic Plan at our March 28 Council meeting, the timing couldn't be better to get this Mayor's Arts and Business Coalition Task Force up and running,” said Mayor Meghan Lahti. “One of the priority areas in the new strategic plan is to create a vibrant and prosperous community and an accompanying goal is to develop a vision for the City of the Arts. In addition to articulating this vision, the Task Force will report back with a strategy to create synergies between the arts and businesses in the city, with the goal of brand identification and strengthening. I’m looking forward to seeing this vision come to life through this amazing group of Port Moody artists and business owners." 

The duties of the Mayor’s Arts and Business Coalition Task Force include exploring all opportunities that could result in strengthening and elevating Port Moody’s brand as City of the Arts. Specific tasks include:

  • articulating a vision for growing the Port Moody City of the Arts brand;
  • developing a broad brainstorming list of potential opportunities and mechanisms used globally;
  • identifying local opportunities in the context of the global examples;
  • developing a list of achievable recommendations for consideration by Council; and
  • preparing potential high-level budgets for each identified opportunities and mechanisms. 

The following members have been appointed by Mayor Lahti:

  • City Councillor Samantha Agtarap – Chair
  • City Councillor Kyla Knowles – Vice-Chair
  • Mike Arsenault – Artist
  • Helen Daniels – Artist
  • Pauline Doyle – Artist
  • Jamie Cuthbert – Business Owner
  • Rick DeHart – Business Owner
  • Adina Diaconu – Business Owner
  • Deanna Kayne – Port Moody Arts Centre
  • Leslie Courchesne – Chamber of Commerce
  • Laura Dick – Heritage Society Representative
  • Paul Rockwood – General Manager of Finance and Technology, City of Port Moody
  • Joji Kumagai – Manager of Economic Development, City of Port Moody
  • Devin Jain – Manager of Cultural Services, City of Port Moody
  • Lindsay Todd – Manager of Communications and Engagement, City of Port Moody 

A task force is a short-term select committee established to inquire into a specific issue. After reporting its findings and recommendations to Council, a task force is disbanded. 

Visit portmoody.ca/committees to read the terms of reference for the Mayor’s Arts and Business Coalition Task Force. Meeting dates have not yet been determined; when meetings are scheduled, agendas and minutes will be available at portmoody.ca/councilcalendar.