2010 - Victoria Arts and Culture Leaders Back Marianne Alto
Marianne Alto is the only candidate in the Victoria by-election to develop a plan for Victoria’s arts and culture. With consultation from Victoria’s cultural leaders, Alto announced steps she would take in Council to re-stabilize our cultural sector.
“We continue to demonstrate an astonishing cultural capacity given the scarcity of funding to the arts in British Columbia,” says Alto. “But now is the time for the City of Victoria to step up and support our vibrant cultural sector.”
Alto plans to take three key ideas to Council: develop a new Art Gallery/Performing Arts Complex in the downtown to house Victoria’s resident ballet, opera and symphony and The Art Gallery, which is in desperate need of more space, and modern storage solutions; move the Maritime Museum to the former wax museum; establish a Foundation for the Arts in Victoria, managed by the city and in collaboration with the Victoria Foundation.
"Marianne is bringing much needed vision to the development and stabilization of the arts in Victoria," says Leslie Bland, Artistic Director of the Kaleidoscope Theatre.
“People in Victoria are amazingly dedicated to attending local performances and art exhibitions but our companies and galleries are on shaky ground,” says Daniel Laskarin, Chair of the University of Victoria’s Department of Visual Arts and an internationally recognized artist. “I trust that Marianne has the knowledge and the respect for the arts to be a strong advocate on Council.”
“The arts often get taken for granted, but in a City like ours, driven by tourism, their contribution to our economy and our appeal can not be overlooked.” Says Alto “We are at risk of loosing the diversity of our arts and culture and I believe Council can take some key steps – one of the most important being consulting with the community to ensure that we invest appropriately in this vital sector.”
Alto has a long history of working with the arts community. She was a Director of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, Victoria DanceWorks Festivals, Everywomans Books, and CFUV Community Radio.
