Guest blog: Why the arts matter now

On May 5, the Edmonton Arts Council hosted a conversation with Mayor Knack and members of the arts community to talk about why the arts matter now in Edmonton and the future of arts funding in our city. 

We heard insights from Mayor Knack, our CEO Renee Williams and Fringe ED Megan Dart, in a conversation guided by Mark Connolly. Thank you to everyone who attended, and to our panelists.

Following the panel, Megan Dart reflected on the conversation in an article originally posted on Linkedin. Megan has graciously permitted us to republish it here on the EAC blog.

Why the arts matter now 

By Megan Dart

Last week, I had the privilege of participating in a panel conversation about why the arts matter now.

My sincere gratitude to Edmonton Arts Council for hosting, and to Mayor Andrew Knack and EAC CEO Renee Williams for an energizing conversation guided by expert host Mark Connolly.

I’m grateful we’re having conversations about why arts matter. I’m grateful we’re having those conversations now as the City of Edmonton plans its next 4‑year budget cycle.

The arts are city-building infrastructure. Not only do the arts create a vibrant Edmonton by driving economic impact; they also grow empathy, spark connection, and help transform a city into a community.

Every August, the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival offers a glimpse of what’s possible when a city invests in creativity, gathering, and joy. In just 11 days, Fringe generates more than $20Million in local economic impact, welcomes more than 800,000 site visits, and returns nearly $1.5Million directly to Artists.

But the real impact lives beyond the numbers.

It’s in the packed patios on Whyte Avenue. Friendly Volunteers welcoming first time Fringers like old friends. Standing ovations in intimate theatre venues. Hundreds of Artists turning impossible ideas into experiences that makes us laugh, cry, question, connect. It’s moments that turn into memories that turn into traditions, drawing visitors back to Edmonton again and again.

It’s collective effervescence. A whole city buzzing together.

And right now, that kind of connection matters more than ever.

The arts create spaces where people feel seen. Where people belong. Where we can imagine new futures together. Festivals, theatres, galleries, concerts, public art – these aren’t side quests to city-building. They are city-building.

They make Edmonton feel alive. They help people choose this city. Visit this city. Stay in this city. Believe in this city.

But vibrant cities don’t happen by accident. They happen because people choose to invest in them. We are grateful the City and the Edmonton Arts Council continue to be invaluable partners in supporting organizations like ours. That said, funding for the arts at the municipal level has remained largely unchanged for nearly a decade.

At a time when costs continue to rise and arts organizations are being asked to do more with less, we need champions to shout loud and proud: the arts matter here.

Because investing in the arts means investing in local businesses; tourism growth; economic resilience; safer, more connected communities; the development and retention of Artists and arts workers; opportunities for people to gather, create, and dream together.

Most of all, it means investing in an Edmonton full of possibility.

The Edmonton Arts Council is gathering public feedback through its ​“Why Arts Matter Now” survey. If the arts have ever made you feel more connected to Edmonton – if a festival, concert, mural, gallery, community event, or theatre show has helped shape your experience of this city – I hope you’ll please take a few minutes to share your story.

The future of Edmonton is bold, imaginative, welcoming, weird, joyful, and deeply human. Arts and culture help build that future – and that future deserves investment.

About Megan Dart

As Executive Director of Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megan Dart brings 18+ years experience in festival & event production, arts admin, theatre creation, public relations, and communications. She loves fringing with her whole dang heart.