ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: June 26, 2001
Author/Local: AN/6007

RTS: 02165

CC File No. 2004

CS&B: July 12, 2001

TO:	Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
FROM:	Director, Office of Cultural Affairs
SUBJECT:	Grant Request from Vancouver Police Pipe Band

CONSIDERATION

THAT Council approve a grant of $15,000 to the Vancouver Police Pipe Band to assist with the costs of the Band's participation in the Netherlands International Tattoo. Source of funds to be Contingency Reserve.

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager submits the foregoing for Council's CONSIDERATION.

COUNCIL POLICY

Approval of grant recommendations requires eight affirmative votes.

PURPOSE

This report presents a $15,000 grant request from the Vancouver Police Pipe Band for Council's consideration.

BACKGROUND

The Vancouver Police Pipe Band has requested assistance with travel costs related to its participation in the Netherlands International Tattoo, which takes place between August 23 and September 1, 2001 (see letter, Appendix A). Total travel expenses for the trip amount to $35,000. Band members will be contributing to the overall cost of the trip, and accommodation will be provided by their Netherlands hosts.

DISCUSSION

It has not been the City's general practice to assist with touring costs for Vancouver groups. However, in the past Council has provided grants for touring costs when the City's interests were directly involved. Several Vancouver-based professional arts groups have received funding for trips to Vancouver Sister Cities. And in 1998, City Council recognized the value of supporting the Police Pipe Band's participation in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo by approving a $15,000 grant toward travel costs.

Staff note that the participation of a high-profile City-related group at a prominent international event serves to raise Vancouver's profile and reputation abroad and generates considerable good will. The experience of performing for different audiences and of sharing the stage with performers from around the world can also help to develop a group's performance skills and generate other performance opportunities.

CONCLUSION

Staff present for Council's consideration approval of a $15,000 grant to the Vancouver Police Pipe Band towards travel costs related to its visit to the Netherlands International Tattoo. Given that touring cost are ineligible for existing grant programs, the Director of Finance advises that the source of funds would be Contingency Reserve.

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APPENDIX A NOT AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY - COPY AVAILABLE FROM THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver