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On Wednesday, City Council voted 10 to 5 against a motion that would have frozen funding for the Calgary Arts Development Authority and planned instead to double the agency 's budget next year.
This year, the city donated $ 6.4 million to CADA. The quadrennial budget proposed by the city would devote $ 11.4 million to the organization in 2019.
Coun. Sean Chu, who introduced the freeze motion, said the timing was not good for increasing funding in Calgary.
"I believe that art is a lack: adviser
"There is a need and a need, and I believe that art is a need," said Chu.
But Coun. Jeff Davison disagreed, saying that investing in the arts is a key part of the city's economic development strategy, which can pay off in terms of jobs, not to mention the way in which a thriving arts scene can attract investors to a city.
"There are currently companies in the oil and gas sector that would kill – kill – for a return of five to one, so do not tell me that" the business case is not there. " Absolutely, we are still working on these things, but the reality is that the return is very clear here, "said Davison.
Chu's motion would have saved the city $ 20 million over four years. Instead, this money will be used to fund more artists, arts organizations and to increase the salaries of CADA staff.
"A minimum of 75% will go directly to artists and arts organizations," said CADA President and CEO Patti Pon the Calgary Eyeopener the day before the vote.
"So, I think you'll see more ideas, more expressions of our stories, more opportunities for Calgarians to participate in the arts, no matter what they choose." And we'll see jobs in the arts, and I think that's really important thing right now. "
Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the increase would mean that Calgary will no longer be supported by the arts as one of Canada's largest cities. It will have the second lowest, pushing Winnipeg down.
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