Some voters told Taproot they want more arts funding from the next council
The growing responses to Taproot's listening work in the lead up to the municipal election on Oct. 20 reveal that some voters support the city spending public dollars to support the arts.
Earlier this year, Taproot launched our listening campaign at several in-person and virtual events, and we posted a 2025 election question on our site. We have been gathering responses ever since, and at last count, more than 900 people have provided them. The listening was built around a simple question: "What issues do you care about as you consider who to vote for in the 2025 municipal election, and why?"
Roughly 80 people said the arts are important to them, with many asking for more or continued municipal funding to go to the Edmonton Arts Council. The City of Edmonton established the council in 1995. It provides grants to artists and arts organization, procures public art, and more.
One respondent said funding the arts creates economic resiliency. "How will city council members support an increase in EAC funding? Arts funding is a great way to support local and create more local pride (and) identity in a push back against the existential threats from our neighbour to the south," they said.
One person suggested that the next council should reduce the police budget and increase arts funding. "These issues impact me and my communities directly in relation to our safety and our livelihoods," they said.
Another person tied the state of the arts and housing to civic identity, noting that beautiful housing and art both help wellbeing. "Support for the arts and increasing protection of built heritage go hand in hand with the importance of beauty. These are not just nice-to-haves, and we do not need to reinvent the wheel."
Three respondents expressed support for public art, which has been a divisive topic in Edmonton, but one of them felt its execution could be better.
"Commissioning and installing these works doesn't always finish the job," they said. "The lack of lighting on (public art at the Kathleen Andrews Transit Garage) is a tragedy. For so much of the long, dark year it is impossible to see or enjoy this work. That is a waste of the original and considerable financial investment. My vote goes to those who provide additional support and leadership in the area of making Edmonton's art more accessible, and its care more complete."
Taproot has worked to explain some key developments for the arts, including city funding for the organizations that help create it, since the 2021 municipal election.
