Three of Prince George's premier arts organizations are writing a new fable for the city. They are writing it together, which isn't at all usual, and that got the attention of mayor Lyn Hall.
The Community Arts Council (CAC), the Prince George Symphony Orchestra (PGSO) and Theatre NorthWest (TNW) wanted to cross any perceived borders between them and work on a fundraiser to help all at once. Hall thought so highly of the collaboration that he put his name on the effort.
The Mayor's Black & White Ball For The Arts is coming up on May 26 and even before the first note of music is played, this dance is already a success.
"This event, the nature of it, gives our community a chance to give a long look at the arts as a whole," said Hall on Friday. "Our city is so diversified and you know that from our sports groups and cultural groups and community associations, and certainly we see it with the arts. We understood, as a City, what these organizations were all about and it was impressive to see them working together in this way. It gets done all the time, but it's not always something noticeable or recognizable, so by putting their names on it as collaborators sharing the event it showed real leadership. As a municipal government, we want to do what we can to support and strengthen partnerships because it's these groups of grassroots people who make the fabric of the community."
"We can collaborate on something like this even though there may be a perceived competition between us all, for audiences or funds," said PGSO board chair Diane Rogers. "We don't see it that way."
"We are all stronger together," said TNW general manager Marnie Hamagami, who once was the G.M. of the PGSO and is also a CAC board member, demonstrating the way the city's arts groups criss-cross. "It's not unique to this event. This is a particularly public example of the way we all get along but we have a constant flow of resources. Cross-collaborations happen easily and often, and it's been that way for years. But now we want to make sure that is well understood."
Hamagami and Rogers pointed to CAC executive director Sean Farrell as the catalyst for the Black & White Ball For The Arts. Perhaps this is a natural course to take for someone leading an organization founded on the principle of artists and arts organization pulling together on the same oars, but he is pleased to see the mayor step in to be part of it.
"While organizing an event like this requires effort, it feels quite effortless," Farrell said. "The strength and health of a city's arts community is a barometer of how strong and healthy a community is overall. It's so exciting to see our mayor and our City Hall invest themselves in initiatives that will put the arts in a better position to stimulate the downtown, stimulate the community across the board."
Rogers said that when she first became aware of Prince George's habit of volunteerism and community activism, it was the 1980s and she got caught up in that spirit right away.
"I think it all comes from living together in a small geographic space and all relying on one another," she said. "We don't live in Richmond and work in North Van. We all live and work and raise our families right here in one place, so I see a constant willingness to lift the community up and make this the best Prince George it can be."
A culture of progress and mutual support even from stranger to stranger is essential for recruiting and retaining a vibrant population, she said.
Hall agreed. He noted some key moments in history - the 2015 Canada Winter Games and the 2017 Cariboo wildfire evacuee intake - when those civic muscles got flexed for all of Canada to see. Those muscles are built by collaborative cultural events, he said. The Mayor's Black & White Ball For The Arts was a chance for a good civic workout.
The music at the event will be provided by the musicians of the PGSO. The theatre's director Jack Grinhaus will act as master of ceremonies, with Hall as honorary host. There will be many other points of mutual support as the night unfolds, and for the social set it is a rare chance for a formal outing in spring. Dinner is included with the dancing and other forms of entertainment, live and silent auctions will be featured, and other intersections with the arts will surprise and entertain attendees.
Tickets are available online at the Theatre NorthWest website or by calling 250-649-6477.
