ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: December 16, 1999
Author/Local: AN/6007
RTS No. 1197
CC File No. 2300

Council: January 11, 2000

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director, Office of Cultural Affairs
SUBJECT:	1999 Baxter Grants Information Report

INFORMATION

The General Manager of Community Services submits this report for INFORMATION.

COUNCIL POLICY

Under a longstanding agreement with the City, the Vancouver Foundation provides funds on an annual basis from its Donald Alexander Baxter Fund towards special Civic Theatre rent grants for cultural organizations that do not perform in the Civic Theatres on a regular basis. The Office of Cultural Affairs administers these grants on behalf of the Foundation.

In accordance with Council’s decision of February 7, 1991, Baxter grants are approved and disbursed at the discretion of the Directors of Cultural Affairs and Finance, in consultation with the Vancouver Foundation. The Office of Cultural Affairs provides City Council with an annual summary of Baxter Grant allocations.

PURPOSE

This report summarizes the Baxter theatre rental grants approved in 1999.

BACKGROUND

Since 1984, the Donald Alexander Baxter Fund has helped non-profit performing arts organizations with the costs of renting the three Civic Theatres: the Vancouver Playhouse, the Orpheum and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The program is designed to support professional and non-professional groups that can benefit from the experience of performing in a centrally located and well-equipped facility, contributing to their artistic development, increasing their public profile, and helping them expand their audiences.

The amount of the annual payment from the Foundation is determined by the terms of Mr. Baxter’s will and by the income the fund generates. The grants fund some or all of a recipient’s theatre rental fee, but do not cover rehearsals, or any additional costs. They are limited to a maximum of three grants in any given five-year period. Competitions and events whose main purpose is fundraising for the applicant or a third party do not qualify.

DISCUSSION

Following the Vancouver Foundation’s $30,000 contribution to the City’s 1999 Baxter account, a total of $34,921 was available for the past year. Seven organizations received rental grants totalling $32,275 towards 12 performances in the Civic Theatres, leaving a balance of $2,646 at the end of the year. These are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1

Organization	Grants	Perf. Date	No. of Uses
Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Soc.	$5,000	Feb. 3, 1999	1 - Orpheum
Van. New Music Society	$5,925	May 7, 8, 13/99	3 - Playhouse
Rosario Ancer Flamenco Arts Soc.	$3,950	June 4, 5/99	2 - Playhouse
Uzume Taiko Drum Group	$3,950	June 11, 12/99	2 - Playhouse
Van. Chinese Choir	$7,300	June 26/99	1 - Orpheum
Van. Lesbian & Gay Choir	$2,050	May 7, 2000	1 - Playhouse
Chor Leoni Men’s Choir	$4,100	June 23, 24/00	2 - Playhouse
TOTAL	$32,275		12 performances

CONCLUSION

From its inception in 1984 to the end of 1999, the Baxter rental grant program has helped 53 local performing arts organizations present their work in the Civic Theatres. Music groups have been the most frequent users of the program, followed by dance groups. The ongoing developmental value of the program is best exemplified by the fact that it continues to attract new groups, while a number of early Baxter grant recipients are now regular users of the Civic Theatres, receiving annual civic theatre rental grants. Three of the grants approved in 1999 were to first-time applicants: the Uzume Taiko Drum Group, Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, and Vancouver Lesbian and Gay Choir.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver