A new month-long arts festival could enliven the streets, sidewalks and parks in the City of the Arts as soon as next summer.
Tuesday, Oct. 22, Port Moody council voted to consider a request led by a group from PoMoArts for $40,000 to launch the event at an upcoming meeting.
Deanna Kayne, the executive director of PoMoArts, told council the festival, to be called Art Out Side, would provide local and emerging visual and performing artists opportunities to transform the city daily with displays and performances in indoor locations and outdoor spaces like parks, sidewalks and boulevards form mid-July to mid-August.
She said the event could even be integrated into the city’s established summer festivals such as RibFest.
The goal, said Kayne, would be to “cover the entire city with arts,” adding works could range from murals, to chalk art on sidewalks to dinner theatre and music performances, film screenings, installations and spontaneous experiences.
“We want to see what people want to make,” Kayne said. “We will be an arty city.”
Robert Simons, the president of PoMoArts, said Art Out Side would “really add into Port Moody’s festival spirit.”
"This is a really creative endeavour.”
Cezar Salaveria, who runs Grit gallery and café on Clarke Street, said the event would be “a big opportunity to enhance the branding for the City of the Arts.”
Kayne said all the artists would be paid and the city’s initial contribution would likely be reduced in subsequent years as organizers pursue sponsorships, BC Arts grants and other revenue opportunities.
Coun. Kyla Knowles said the seed money is just the kind of opportunity to change the way Port Moody uses its public art reserve fund. Council recently voted to review the fund’s scope with an eye to expanding it beyond just the acquisition of static art pieces.
Coun. Amy Lubik agreed.
“I like the idea of making arts part of living in Port Moody, not just seeing things once in a while,” she said.
Coun. Haven Lurbiecki said, “We need to bring the community along on our arts journey.”
Mayor Meghan Lahti said the organizers’ timing for its funding request is fortuitous as council is currently crafting the city’s budget for the coming year.
“I’m looking forward to having a more robust discussion about how we can make this happen in Port Moody,” she said.
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