Vancouver , B . C . – NPA City Councillor Elizabeth Ball is calling on the City of Vancouver to establish a new arts-related program modelled on New York City ’ s highly successful “ Materials for the Arts ” ( MFTA ) program . She will be bringing forward a motion to Vancouver City Council this week . Councillor Ball ’ s motion ( appended below ) notes that that New York ’ s “ Materials for the Arts ” program facilitates the creative reuse of materials by the arts and culture and educational communities that might otherwise end up in the landfill or go to an incinerator .

Councillor Ball says a program modelled on “ Materials for the Arts ” would not only support Vancouver ’ s arts and culture community , and educational institutions , including the Vancouver School Board , it would also provide a new mechanism for diverting usable materials from the City ’ s waste stream for creative reuse and support the City ’ s target to reduce solid waste going to the landfill or an incinerator by 50 % from 2008 levels as well as the goal to achieve zero waste by 2040 .

“ A vibrant arts and cultural scene is important to any truly liveable city . The arts bring incredible value to the lives of our citizens and to the life of our city . Materials for the Arts has positively impacted millions of New York students , choreographers , dancers , actors , set designers , art therapists , after school providers , and senior citizens since it was established in 1978 . I believe the program should be replicated in Vancouver ,” said Ball , who had the opportunity to explore MFTA while working on Broadway and saw how well this amazing program worked .

Growth Strategy , including fostering the creation of vibrant centres of culture and community activities , maintaining an attractive and diverse urban environment , building healthy , complete communities , and ensuring the basics of life – breathable air , potable water , and nutritious food .

Ball ’ s motion also makes note of the City of Vancouver ’ s Culture Plan – which has a core vision to develop , enliven , enhance , and promote arts , culture , and cultural diversity in Vancouver , including a Cultural Grants Program that supports a wide range of arts and cultural activity – as well as the City ’ s Creative City Strategy which aims to work with the arts , culture , and

creative communities . The Creative City Plan seeks to identify priorities that can guide Vancouver ’ s future efforts and investments , including a firm commitment to address equity , diversity , and inclusion , as well as to build a culture of reconciliation through close collaboration with the Musqueam , Squamish , and Tsleil- Waututh First Nations . Ball notes that all of these arts , culture , sustainability , environmental , equity , inclusion , and educational objectives can be enhanced and supported through the establishment of a “ Materials for the Arts ” program in Vancouver .

In addition to exploring the establishment of a “ Materials for the

Arts ” program , Ball ’ s motion also calls for City staff to explore options and opportunities for the creation of a non-profit support entity similar to New York ’ s “ Friends of Materials for the Arts ” – which has a mandate to support initiatives in the areas of education and community outreach to serve a broader audience .

New York City ’ s Department of Cultural Affairs operates the “ Materials for the Arts ” program with additional support from the City ’ s Departments of Sanitation and of Education . The program includes an efficient online donations system as well as robust education and volunteer programs .

According to MFTA ’ s website , the program diverts over one million pounds of materials from the landfill each year by collecting reusable materials from businesses and individuals . MFTA makes these donations available free of charge to various arts , culture , non-profit , and educational organizations and individuals . By diverting these materials from New York ’ s waste stream , MFTA reportedly offsets the equivalent of 25 times the CO2 emissions absorbed annually by the trees in New York ’ s Central Park .

As background , Ball ’ s motion makes reference to the Vancouver Charter which requires Vancouver City Council to prepare and adopt a Regional Context Statement in support of the Regional Growth Strategy . The City ’ s context statement shows how Vancouver ’ s polices and plans work toward achieving the goals and strategies set out in the Regional