City to test arts and business council model over 12- to 18-month period via pilot phase

Before proceeding with the establishment of an arts and business council, the City of Port Moody 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.

“An arts and business council would be unique to Port Moody and to the region,” says Mayor Meghan Lahti. “Before we establish a not-for-profit organization to support arts groups and businesses as they work together for mutual benefit, we want to be sure that we’re selecting the right governance model for our community. A pilot phase, led by an arts and business specialist, will give us a chance to explore our options while achieving tangible objectives such as developing partnerships and launching initiatives to help connect the arts and business sectors.”

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. Funding for the establishment of an arts and business council – $150,000 per year for two years from the City’s Arts Reserve – was previously approved by City Council in the 2025-2029 operating budget. A portion of this funding will be used to hire the arts and business specialist on a contract basis.

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.

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.

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. 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.