Rental rates and the role of culture

Re: “Big rent hikes at Royal Theatre leave arts groups scrambling,” Dec. 7. Community leaders and anyone who is informed and active in society cannot deny the inherent value of culture, its contribution to society, its symbiotic relationship with education and its economic power.

Why is it, then, that we often fail to connect the importance of the arts with the public infrastructure required to sustain them? The cost of art-making and venues must be borne by the society that it serves through all its agencies.

The Royal and McPherson Theatres Society is a not-for-profit organization. Its mission statement is: “To enrich the cultural life of the region, by operating and maintaining the civic theatres of the CRD.” How does this reconcile with the recent announcement that the Royal Theatre is imposing dramatic increases in rental rates effective Sept. 1, 2019, despite reporting significant operating surpluses over several years?

How does it serve the holistic cause of supporting the arts by setting theatre rental rates so high that they erode the ability of arts groups to afford that venue? Is the expectation that since for-profit commercial shows can afford it, then that is what can be borne by the “market,” as if commercial touring acts are the sole contributors to culture?

The dedication, efforts and talents inherent in our arts organizations deserve to be nurtured and supported by the society they serve. Public support of the performing arts is an investment we must make. The “profit” of our arts is the value of education, enjoyment, enlightenment and inspiration that they contribute to the region. Franc D’Ambrosio, architect Victoria