On Monday evening I attended a meeting of Burnaby city council, as I wanted to show support for the delegation of the Burnaby Arts Council, who were questioning the city’s position on the need for a new art gallery.
Much as I respect and admire the work done by the members of the city council that I am familiar with, I must say, that for the city council as a group, it was not their finest hour.
Each delegation is allowed 10 minutes to present their proposals. I understand the need for a limit, to rein in the more loquacious. (Unfortunately, the same limit does not apply to political speeches. But I digress.)
The presentation given by the Burnaby Arts Council was, in the main, concise and well presented, but they had one speaker still to come, to make the arts council’s closing proposals, when they were told their 10 minutes were up.
The citizens in the gallery (not all arts council supporters), objected vocally and expressed their view that they were willing to allow the last speaker of the delegation five minutes more to finish their presentation – in the council chamber owned by these same citizens, whose upkeep is paid for by their taxes, to be listened to by their elected council whose wages they pay.
Even one of the council members suggested they allow five more minutes.
However, it was refused to the delegation, and to the wishes of the citizens attending the meeting. I was not impressed.
As well, I was surprised at the position taken by the city council on the subject of a new gallery.
The present one is housed in a building built as a residence almost 100 years ago and not currently considered nationally as eligible to mount some travelling shows.
The staff has always done a fantastic job presenting work in this building never built or intended as an art gallery. The fact that we have had an art gallery here in Burnaby was because of the initiative of a group of citizens, willing to do a lot of the cleanup work necessary after the city had rented it to be used as a frat house.
Now, we have a great opportunity for the City of Burnaby to once again show its support of the arts.
A competition always creates a lot of interest. A call for proposals for a new, unique art gallery, whether it’s put out locally, nationally or internationally, would make news.
It can be made a challenge: On a stated budget, can an architect propose a working plan for a functional, beautiful, original, and eye-catching economical building that will draw artists, citizens and visitors to view the building and the work in it?
It would be a nice change from another mall.
Annie Boulanger is a Burnaby resident.
