In Sept 2019, Council approved Culture Shift, Vancouver's new culture plan, which includes a target of 800,000 square feet of arts space over the next 10 years. This will include affordable housing for artists and new cultural spaces. To respond to the difficulties faced by the arts sector during the pandemic, new grants were introduced to support struggling arts organizations.
Mayor Kennedy Stewart will continue to advocate for a new Vancouver Art Gallery. We renewed our MOU in January 2022 and the VAG has announced more than $240 million in funding to help us get closer to a new building.
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A Park Board approved pilot has been underway since July 2021. And, as part of the City's response to COVID, a program allowing drinking in public plazas was established.
The Chinese Canadian Museum opened to the public in July 2020. Since that time, it has showcased exhibits that tell the many stories of the Chinese Canadian experience.
In September 2019, Council approved Culture Shift, Vancouver's new culture plan, which includes creating a target of 800,000 square feet of arts space over the next 10 years. This wiill include affordable housing for artists and new cultural spaces. To respond to the difficulties faced by the arts sector during the pandemic, new grants were introduced to support struggling arts organizations.
In Sept 2019, Council approved Culture Shift, Vancouver's new culture plan, which includes a target of 800,000 square feet of arts space over the next 10 years. This will include affordable housing for artists and new cultural spaces. To respond to the difficulties faced by the arts sector during the pandemic, new grants were introduced to support struggling arts organizations.
COVID interrupted library services, but Mayor Kennedy Stewart's 2021 budget included $150,000 in funding to forgive fines and bring 19,000 people back to libraries. Funding for fine-free programs was continued in the 2022 budget to keep people connected to library services.
Due to COVID-19, Mayor Kennedy Stewart has had to pause this work. As the city continues to recover and re-open, his work to revitalize Chinatown continues.
