There are lots of disappointed groups after Tuesdays’ budget release and ArtsLink NB is one of them.
Executive director Julie Whitenect said she was hopeful the budget would have a more meaningful recovery plan and stimulus funding for the sector.
“I know the premier has mentioned that we seem to be in his mind back to where we were before the pandemic but the arts sector is definitely worse off and will be for some time to come, especially without a more robust plan,” she said.
Whitenect said before the budget was released, Artslink NB had been advocating for a minimum of $5 million of stimulus funding into the arts and that’s just one of the steps. Investment in school programs as well as money for performers and venues to help them get back to operating and support for organizations.
“I think we’re going to have lost a lot of arts organizations through this pandemic. Smaller collectives and arts coalitions won’t have made it,” she said.
Whitenect said the sector pivoted as much as it could but not everything can be virtual.
She said economically the arts bring plenty of value to society. As of 2018 the culture sector contributed $573 million to the GDP and is our second-largest economic driver and represents 7,536 workers who typically have higher education but lower income.
Whitenect said this has been a few steps back for the hardwon progress in the sector, and there are people and organizations working on strategies but without meaningful government investment, it will be a struggle to get back to where they were.
She said while it was difficult for the government to put forward a deficit budget but it made sense and was no surprise to everyone. Whitenect said why not take it all the way and fund more initiatives.
“I think that it has given me a home here, it’s given me a sense of community and has made me fall in love with this place. We’re based in Saint John and that’s where I live and I can’t imagine not wanting to live here if we didn’t have those things,” she said.
Whitenect said if you would like to support the arts, check out your local cultural centres and see what’s happening. You can donate a ticket fee to the artist and show your support that way as well.
