The Ottawa Cultural Alliance (OCA) released a letter July 10 addressing the City of Ottawa’s lack of cultural emphasis in its proposed term of council priorities. Two days later, during a July 12 meeting, council amended some objectives at the recommendation of the OCA, officially ratifiying its priorities to include stronger cultural commitments.
The term of council priorities outlines how council will allocate its budget and support.
To accommodate Ottawa’s growing population, the alliance suggested additional cultural facilitators and funding for public arts programming. These suggestions were unanimously accepted by council.
Strategic objectives eight and nine of council priorities address culture and aim to make cultural programming more accessible to Ottawa’s growing population. The amended document includes a greater mention of cultural priorities within these two objectives.
The OCA’s letter also argued culture makes the city more livable. It proposed reusing heritage spaces, adding cultural spaces to the affordable housing project and creating new cultural spaces.
Formally established in 2016, the OCA consists of six Ottawa arts, culture and heritage organizations. The alliance advocates on behalf of cultural workers, collaborates with city officials and champions the importance of arts and culture for business and tourism.
Nicole Milne, OCA member and director of the Ottawa Arts Council, explained a cultural lens demonstrates the interconnectedness of city issues.
“We can’t forget the ways that culture can complement all the [city’s] needs and priorities,” Milne told the Charlatan.
She noted increasing artistic initiatives and accessibility to cultural spaces improves the city’s vibrancy. Greater recognition of artists and musicians also benefits the city’s economic goals post-recession, she said.
Meghan Walsh, executive director of Capital Heritage Connexion and OCA member, said Ottawa would benefit from increasing social prescribing, holistic medical prescriptions focused on social wellbeing. She said mental health workers are recommending clients visit cultural spaces like museums or festivals for an interactive change of scenery.
“We want to think about culture and heritage as something that can help [solve] issues and have amazing impacts,” Walsh said.
The OCA said it hopes these impacts can be facilitated through city objectives.
“Each objective can have a cultural lens applied to it, and the city knows this—largely that culture is an important part of city building,” said Cassandra Olsthoorn, executive director of Arts Network Ottawa.
Milne noted that council’s response to the OCA’s letter was generally positive. Couns. Sean Devine, Rawlson King and Ariel Troster fulfilled the OCA’s call to action by filing motions to amend some priorities.
King’s motion focused on culture’s impact on livability and was seconded by Troster. Since that motion was submitted first, Devine retracted his.
King’s motion amended strategic objectives of the proposed terms of council priorities to include greater accessibility and an ethnocultural lens in cultural programming. Another amended objective will prioritize greater city investment in cultural spaces.
“Any kind of commitment to arts and cultures with the goal of making the city more liveable will also have an impact on arts and cultures economically,” Devine said. “I think that’s a win right off the bat.”
Additional amendments to the city’s objectives include prioritizing chronic homelessness, cultural funding and facilities, a sustained transit system and a healthier physical environment for disadvantaged communities.
The OCA was pleased with the greater infusion of culture within the document and plans to continue collaborating with council.
“What we expect is that culture is part of the conversation when these decisions are being made and in the areas that don’t normally represent culture,” Milne said.
The OCA intends to continue its advocacy throughout the 2024 city budget process and encourage citizens to voice concerns.
Featured graphic by Alisha Velji/The Charlatan.
