Based on the following information produced by the Community Arts Council of Vancouver, Arts Councils have come a long way since 1959.

This document was recently found in the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan Archives.

Date: 1959

As originally written, typos and all

NOTES ON THE FORMATION OF ARTS COUNCILS

Arts Councils must have a strong foundation.  This foundation usually will be a local need.  The need can take the form of something clear-cut such as a shortage of arts teachers, the need for a children’s band, co-operation by arts groups to approach the municipal of city council for space in the civic centre, or for financial support for all or certain phases of the arts.  Or the arts may need better public relations to bring about better support.

People who are called upon to help launch an arts council must be fully convinced of the need.  If there is not a least one major project to undertake the council most likely will be still-born, or will wither in infancy.

Once an arts council has a firm and worthwhile accomplishment behind it, confidence is established both inside ant council and in the public mind.  Then additional projects will arise and the council is set for a successful life.

It usually is advisable to gather a small nucleous of people interested in the arts.  When everyone is convinced of the need for an arts council and can decide on essential objectives, this basic group can set itself up as a working committee. Its job then is to enlist others who can help in the first project—the establishment of a council.  Useful people may include sympathetic members of the local press, radio, etc., a good organizer, maybe a business man to assist in the finance, etc.  However, don’t make your committee too big.  About eight to twelve may be big enough.  It is then advisable to hold a meeting f everyone in the area who could be interested.  This would include all arts groups-theatre, crafts, painting, etc. – arts teachers and anyone else who might be interested or useful.

Logically, this group should support the idea of a council.  However, support is not essential for the formation of a council.  The nucleous group can form on and invite other to join.

Legal incorporation is not necessary in the early stages of an arts council, or at all in some cases.  Registration as a society costs money. The Community Arts Council of Vancouver will supply sample constitutions which can be adapted to your use.  And the Community Arts Council also has blank membership cards which it will be glad to supply without cost.

Once a council is launched, the important thing is to keep it rolling with projects.  This does not mean the council should meet weekly, as this usually wears out the members.  Meeting should be held often enough to maintain a high level of interest to keep everyone enthusiastic.   A wide-awake and keen chairman and good support are of course most important to achieve this very desirable objective.

A survey of the state of the arts in the area is a good idea for a new council.  This should carefully appraise the condition of drama, visual arts, crafts, music, etc., and decide what needs to be done.  First the gaps should be filled in there is a real need.  Secondly, improvement should be sought in existing groups.  Finesse is needed here.  Don’t stick your neck out and have a sensitive drama society chairman draw blood with a dull hatchet.  However, if the drama group is well represented on your council, you can tactfully bring about a study of how to help the drama group improve and son with other groups.

This is no limit to the number of projects an arts council can undertake.  Some councils hold annual festivals, some print monthly bulletins of arts events, some work on the city of municipal council for better planning, a fountain, etc.  Others bring in art shows.   If you are short of ideas, write to the CAC of Vancouver.

An arts council can work as a unit or it can work by establishing committees.  If there is too much for the executive to do, set up special committeess to handle projects.  For example, if you want to establish a junior band, choose an executive member as chairman of a Junior Band Committee.  This chairman then finds suitable people to help, which would likely include a potential band master, the local music teacher, several capable parents who want their children to play, etc.  This committee reports back to the council, and asks for help if it runs into insurmountable problems.  Otherwise it sees that a band is established, instruments arranged for, financing in order, etc.  Maybe it then continues to help with current problems, arrange appearances, etc.   Or if it is satisfied that the band can look after itself, then a suitable group of parents and others interested can take over, leaving the Arts Council to use its energies and abilities for other projects.

Arts festivals in conjunction with fairs or other local events, or independently, are frequently excellent means to promote an interest in the arts and to promote the work of the arts council.  Some very successful festivals have been held by B.C. councils.

Don’t worry too much about finances.  A certain amount of money is obviously necessary to by stationery, an accounts book, etc.  However, if each member of the council pays a $2.00 annual membership there usually will be enough for these basic needs.  Arts Councils can operate out of members’ homes, rotating meetings.  The address and telephone of a member can serve for the first few years with a very inadequate budget and makeshift office.  Success brings support, both in memberships and in donations.

One of the most frequently asked questions is, “What kind of help can an arts council get?”

The answer is, very little.  There are no fund available for buildings, either purchase, building , or rental.. No foundation will support a new arts council.  The principle here is that local support must be proven before foundations will step in to help in some special project or some unusual development.  If you have any ideas of this kind, the CAC of Vancouver will be glad to comment on them and advise whether they might  be successfully submitted to any foundation.

However, the CAC has a fund of $3,000 granted by the Leon Thea Koerner Foundation to assist areas to obtain instruction in the arts.  Obviously this is not a large sum, but the CAC will try to spread it around where there is an evident need and practical means to overcome it.

The CAC also has a grant to expand its News Calendar to include province-wide circulation and provincial new coverage.  Local council can use the columns of the News Calendar to promote their activities.  Plans are now being worked by the CAC which will make copies of its News Calendar available to local arts councils.

The Community Arts Council of Vancouver is willing to assist with the formation of new arts councils wherever it can.  It will provide advice based on its own 14 years of experience, and where practical will send a speaker and organizer to assist.

Further help for new arts councils will be found in the report of the 1959 British Columbia Arts Resource Conference, which will be ready for distribution by the end of August.

Community Arts Council of Vancouver, 570 Seymour St; Vancouver 2, BC Telephone: MU3-4358