So Paul Moulton thinks we “have to have an art gallery” in St. Albert, does he?
And he and members of the Arts and Heritage Foundation figured that because they think that way they could just go ahead and transform a $500,000 project to install accessibility ramps at the existing art gallery at the Banque d’Hochelaga building into a $4.6 million expansion – essentially a new art gallery.
Mind you, World Make-A-Wish Day is coming up shortly so maybe that was in the back of the minds of the AHF when they ambushed city council with this proposal.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Yes, art is important. It should absolutely be taught in school. Turning the Hemingway Centre into an arts incubator is a great idea, at an affordable price.
But for the AHF to come to council with this proposal for a $4.6 million gallery – will it be named the Paul Moulton Gallery? – well after the city budget has been set for the year, is simply unacceptable. Sure they’re looking ahead, but this is not petty cash we’re talking about and council should have known about this.
Coun. Cam MacKay is absolutely correct to ask, “Where does this stuff come from?”
This is a plan that’s obviously been in the works for a while and since the AHF depends on public funding for much of its survival, it has a responsibility to inform council of such grandiose plans.
The AHF says the city will save $74,000 annually by not having to pay rent for space the AHF currently uses. Perhaps the city should respond by saying, yes, we will be saving $74,000 annually because we’re not paying the rent anymore. AHF can move into the Hemingway Centre with the rest of the arts community, or pay the rent themselves.
It’s interesting that Moulton wonders about the worst-case scenario, that the city concludes it no longer needs the AHF. Perhaps that’s something council should seriously look at, given the number of other arts groups it is already supporting in the city.
The AHF plans call on the city to ante up $2.3 million to go with $1.2 million in other grants. Fundraising would provide the remaining $516,900.
Of course, there’s no mention of who will be paying for the ongoing maintenance and operating costs if such a gallery were to be built.
There’s no question that we do live in an entitlement culture, where most things are available instantly and easily, often with little or no effort on our part because the tendency of government is to try to appease special interest groups.
Dare we throw out this quote from American economist and author Thomas Sowell? “One of the consequences of such notions as ‘entitlements’ is that people who have contributed nothing to society feel that society owes them something, apparently just for being nice enough to grace us with their presence. “
We’re not suggesting Moulton, the AHF and other artists haven’t contributed to society because they have in many ways. Yes, art is nice, it helps make our lives enjoyable. But to suggest St. Albert has to have a $4.6 million art gallery is just a little out of touch with reality.
