Theatres do better than arts groups

Re: “Big rent hikes at Royal Theatre leave arts groups scrambling,” Dec. 7.

The article sets forth difficult issues for all the organizations concerned. That said, its initial focus is: “RMTS argues its own financial squeeze forced the move.” Without getting deep into matters, I point out the following:

The Royal and McPherson Theatres Society, Victoria Symphony, Pacific Opera Victoria and Dance Victoria are registered charitable organizations. As such, they must file returns with the Canada Revenue Agency annually. The information is published on CRA’s website. The most recent filing (2017) for all four organizations gleans the following:

Victoria Symphony — Budget: $5.1 million, surplus on year: $15,700, 0.3 per cent of budget; Pacific Opera — Budget: $4.5 million, deficit on year: ($488,000), -10.7 per cent of budget; Dance Victoria — Budget: $1.5 million, deficit: ($4,800), -0.3 per cent of budget; RMTS — Budget: $3.8 million, surplus: $475,100, 12.6 per cent of budget.

In 2017, the RMTS was far and away the least “squeezed” of the four groups. CRA filings for 2015 and 2016 show parallel information.

The Royal Theatre is owned by Victoria, Oak Bay and Saanich municipalities and managed by the theatres society. The symphony, opera and Dance Victoria are longtime producers/presenters in this community. Their ability to continue functioning is at stake. The society’s decisions need to be publicly vetted by the owners.

C. Stephen Smith Former manager (1985-2000) Victoria Symphony