Plans for a new funding model for the region’s performing-arts centres took a step forward Wednesday when the Capital Regional District board endorsed hiring a consultant to look at the options.
The board agreed to launch a request-for-proposal process that will find a consultant to look at the costs and benefits of five funding model options provided by CRD staff for the Royal, McPherson and Charlie White theatres.
The consultant, expected to report back with recommendations by no later than the middle of next year, would gauge the benefits and sustainability of the options, as well as determine the value provided for each jurisdiction in the region.
The five funding models include two fully regional options that would see all CRD municipalities and electoral areas fund the McPherson, Royal and Charlie White Theatre at the Mary Winspear Centre.
There are also three sub-regional options — one would see 13 municipalities fund the three theatres, another has six municipalities funding them, and the final one has just the four core municipalities funding just the McPherson and the Royal.
Some options include capital reserves for the expansion of facilities and a theatre rental grant estimated at $350,000 annually that would provide funding for local arts groups to be able to afford to use the larger venues.
CRD staff estimate the proposed $350,000 grant program has the potential to subsidize between 60 and 80 shows at the three under-used regional theatres.
The grant program would make funds available to non-profit arts groups to offset civic theatre rental costs. It would mean local artists can compete with commercial productions for theatre time and space.
The cost for each of the five options ranges from $1.69 million to $3.37 million.
The board did take a step toward improving the funding for the Royal Theatre Wednesday with the first approved funding increase in 25 years.
With a new funding formula established in September, the board approved a maximum allowable contribution to the Royal of $596,000 in the 2025 budget. The previous maximum was $580,000. That money is funded by Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay.
The funding for the McPherson Theatre was set at $750,000 again this year, the same amount the City of Victoria has been providing for years.
Funding for the Charlie White Theatre includes grants from Sidney and North Saanich — $385,364 and $185,000 respectively in 2023.
