ArtsLink NB 2010 Election Policy
"Arts is the magnet. Everything in a region can be defined by its approach to arts and culture."
John McLaughlin, President Emeritus of University of New Brunswick
ArtsLink NB works with stakeholders from all arts disciplines and communities throughout the province, and is a unified network of artists, institutions and organizations. ArtsLink NB’s objectives include the support and growth of the Arts and Culture Sector through education, training, promotion and cultural development.
ArtsLink NB has the commitment of provincial artists and arts organizations, institutions and associations. ArtsLink NB works closely with l’Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB) regarding Arts and Culture issues in the province.
In regards to Arts and Culture, the priority activities of the Government of New Brunswick should be:
1. Increase Support for the Growth and Development of the New Brunswick Cultural Industry:
- Increase funding support of $5 million annually to arts and culture sector, each year for the next 4 years;
- Increase the budget of the Arts Development Branch to support core sustainability for New Brunswick arts organizations.
- Increase support for artsNB to encourage and support the growth of the emerging artist population in New Brunswick.
The cost to generate one job in the arts and culture sector is roughly $20,000, while the cost to generate one job in industry is $200,000. Investment in the arts creates more jobs per dollar than investment in industry- ten times more.
Statistics Canada/NSCAN: Building the Creative Economy in Nova Scotia
In 2007 the arts and culture sector in Canada accounted for 1.1 million jobs- as many as the agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, oil & gas and utilities sectors combined. The Conference Board of Canada
Funding added to the artsNB budget will translate directly into hundreds of new small-business projects and employment opportunities, building New Brunswick’s arts sector and creating employment growth as products are created for New Brunswick markets and abroad, increasing NB Cultural creative exports.
According to economist David Campbell, in 2009 patrons of the arts spent over $800 million in New Brunswick. Over $200 million Arts and Culture dollars leave the province. There is growth potential for professional arts in New Brunswick. These figures are significant and represent a potential strong positive economic return on the suggested investment of $5 million.
2. Development of Arts and Culture Infrastructure and Policy
- The creation and implementation of a comprehensive Arts and Culture Strategy for New Brunswick using the AAAPNB’s "Strategie Globale" as the cornerstone.
- Creation and support of a Cultural Human Resources Council of New Brunswick, similar to the Canadian Human Resources Council of Canada.
- Equitable support and development of provincial arts programs cross-culturally.
- Continuation of "Premiers’ Working Group on the Socio-Economic Status of Artists".
- 1% for the Arts in provincial capital projects for new public buildings be reserved and allocated for public art.
- Implementation of tax measures to help improve the socio-economic status of artist: reduce or remove business tax on studios in artists’ homes, and reduce provincial income tax on earnings from artistic activity to support the growth of the cultural industry.
- Implement multi-year funding options for arts organization, associations and institutions based on strategic plans and solid objectives.
The Arts and Culture sector is responsible for 10,614 jobs in the Province of New Brunswick (direct employment). Between 1996-2002 the culture sector contribution to the economy of New Brunswick increased by 37%. In New Brunswick direct economic impact of the culture sector in 2002 amounted to $604million or 2.85 percent of the GDP.
The Arts and Culture Sector has a potential for growth in New Brunswick, with well-documented links to improved youth retention, immigration, tourism and job creation.
The "Statégie globale pour l’intégration des arts et de la culture dans la société acadienne au Nouveau-Brunswick" is a cultural policy document that was extensively researched and included input from artists across the province. It contains many of the core principles for integration and growth of arts and culture, and can be used as the cornerstone of a provincial Arts and Culture Policy.
"Artists are entrepreneurs and need the same small-scale support as a business, such as: access to capital, equipment, skills development and networking. There is huge potential for employment in the arts. In NB, we have advanced tele-communications that could help artists work remotely instead of leaving to work in big cities. Government should to encourage us put together ’the pieces of the puzzle.’"
Amy Anderson, New Brunswick Artist
3. Development of Arts and Culture in the New Brunswick Education System
The benefits of arts training in educational systems is well-documented. ArtsLink encourages the government of New Brunswickto engage in:
- Re-introduction of music, visual art, dance and theatre as part of regular elementary curriculum.
- Increased communication and engagement with professional artists and arts institutions at high school levels.
- Commitments to increase business and administration training for artists at post-secondary level.
The Culture Division provides annual assistance and services to the culture sector, one of the fastest growing sectors in Nova Scotia. The direct and indirect impact of the culture sector in Nova Scotia, as measured by the contribution to the GDP, was estimated at almost $1.2 billion in 2001, with some 28,000 direct and indirect jobs depending on culture activities. The Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage
