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Great Toronto Arts Debate

Toronto is in the midst of a mayoral election campaign with voters going to the polls on November 10, 2003.

The five front runner candidates to replace the retiring incumbent Mayor held a debate on September 24 to debate Arts. In our October edition we gave each candidate the chance to provide their position on the Arts prior to the debate.

Surprisingly the candidates agreed far more than they disagreed on Arts in Toronto. Arts are an integral part of the city and her culture was a continuing theme.

All candidates acknowledged that arts attract tourists and tourist dollars are great for the economy.

John Tory discussed soliciting the private sector as art buyers and wanted to see art in public buildings. He plans to form a partnership with corporations and government.

John Nunziata wants the dollars committed to art in Toronto to filter down to "starving artists" and wants to promote local arts. He, a former federal Member of Parliament, pointed out that one way he has successfully obtained federal funding is to point out the economic benefits of supporting art related-events when presenting requests for funding.

David Miller made a well received point - that arts "gives a young person confidence and strength." He referred to the beautiful BCE Galleria, designed by Santiago Calatrava, and his first time seeing this incredible feat of architecture. David continued to return to the theme of start with the children of the city and include arts in the curriculum. He had an interesting suggestion of  a weekly column by the mayor in the local newspapers in which he, as Mayor, would suggest various locations, exhibitions, etc in Toronto to the newspaper's circulation.

Tom Jakobek repeatedly discussed providing affordable or even free space to showcase artists. His experience includes many years as Budget Chief of Toronto, and he referred to his experience on boards and as the financial guru of the city.

Barbara Hall suggested 2006 be the Year to invite the world to Toronto to showcase the city and all it has to offer. She wants to be an advocate to bring arts back to the schools. Arts can turn around the lives of young people and a key part of her platform is publicity - every week should be "Arts Week".

International Art Treasures does not endorse any candidate for mayor. However we certainly encourage anyone who has the privilege to vote for their leaders to exercise their democratic rights at all levels including municipal. After all it is the municipal that may well have the most direct influence on the voter's daily life.

As we continue our journey to celebrate art and artists - past, present and emerging talent a recurring concern that we hear is contemporary artists do not receive appropriate funding or support from their own communities or countries.

Toronto's mayoral candidates each prepared a policy on the arts and debated the arts on a rainy evening in September. At that time they told the audience that this was the largest gathering they have faced despite their numerous debates.

Clearly this is an issue to be addressed, on an international scale to our belief, and yet the first positive step is acknowledging the problem which has been done by each candidate.

For further information click on the candidates name to review their art policy. All policies were reprinted unedited and emphasis was the candidates own.