SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2  
                                                      CS&B COMMITTEE AGENDA
                                                      OCTOBER 10, 1996     


                              ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT


                                                   Date: September 24, 1996


     TO:       Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets

     FROM:     Director, Office of Cultural Affairs

     SUBJECT:  1996 Cultural Grants -
               Organizational Development Requests



     RECOMMENDATION

          A.   THAT Council approve the following grants towards arts
               administration training costs:

                    (1) Vancouver Chamber Choir   $450
                    (2) Theatre Terrific          $200;

               source of funds to be the Organizational Development
               component of the 1996 Cultural Grants budget.

          B.   THAT Council approve a grant of $9,000 to the Vancouver
               Cultural Alliance for its joint purchasing initiative;
               source of funds to be the Organizational Development
               component of the Cultural Grants budget.

     Approval of A and B will leave an unallocated balance of $2,100 in the
     Organizational Development component of the 1996 Cultural grants
     budget.


     GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

          The General Manager of Community Services submits A and B for
          CONSIDERATION.


     COUNCIL POLICY

     On February 1, 1996, City Council approved the allocation of $29,000
     in the 1996 Cultural Grants budget for Organizational Development
     grants.

     Approval of grant recommendations requires eight affirmative votes.




     PURPOSE

     This report makes recommendations on three requests for grants from
     the Organizational Development component of the 1996 Cultural Grants
     budget.


     BACKGROUND

     Organizational Development Grants

     Organizational Development is one of two funds in the Incentive Grants
     category (the other being Cross-Cultural Initiatives).  Organizational
     Development funds are intended to assist with  arts administration
     training costs, to support long-range planning, to address specific
     operational issues, and to under-take joint audience development
     initiatives.  In recent years, the City has  been encouraging joint
     operational initiatives that can benefit a number of organizations.

     There is currently a balance of $11,750 in the Organizational
     Development component of the Cultural Grants budget, not including the
     $15,000 designated for the POD grant program, which will be reported
     on later in October.  Approval of the grants recommended in this
     report will leave an unallocated balance of $2,100 in the
     Organizational Development component of the Cultural Grants budget.


     DISCUSSION

     Staff are recommending three Organizational Development grants, as
     described below.

     Vancouver Chamber Choir

     The Choir has asked for a grant of $500 to help send its
     Administrative Assistant to two courses at SFU's Management Programme
     for the Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector. The courses, Financial
     Management and Marketing, are taught by two of the most experienced
     instructors in their respective fields, and together cost $930.  A
     grant of $450 is recommended.


     Theatre Terrific

     Theatre Terrific wishes to send its new General Manager to a course on
     theatre management at Capilano College, and has asked for a grant to
     assist with the costs.  The program, which includes resource
     development, audience services, and tour management, will cost $400.
     Staff recommend a grant of $200.




     Vancouver Cultural Alliance

     In discussions with its members and other service organiza-tions, the
     Vancouver Cultural Alliance has identified the combined purchasing
     power of the non-profit arts sector as an opportunity to reduce some
     administrative, production and marketing costs.  Potential areas for
     joint purchasing include office supplies, theatre supplies, dry
     cleaning, printing, advertising and the marketing of arts merchandise.

     The VCA is proposing to research and develop a joint purchasing
     program, available to all its members, in three phases.  Phase I will
     include a survey of arts community needs and economic activities, and
     research into joint purchasing models existing in other sectors (for
     example sports).  Phase II will develop a business plan for gradual
     implementation of joint purchasing systems with maximum flexibility,
     and a potential for self-sufficiency.  Phase III will be a one-year
     test of operations.

     The estimated cost of the first two phases of this initiative is
     $43,400.  The Alliance has requested a grant of $10,000 from the City. 
     It has also applied to the other levels of govern-ment and the
     Vancouver Foundation for assistance.

     Staff believe that the development of a well-researched shared
     purchasing program for the arts sector can benefit a signifi-cant
     number of organizations currently supported by the City.  A grant of
     $9,000 for the first two phases of the initiative is recommended.



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