Alberta's Live Experience
Minister Leela Aheer (Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism & the Status of Women) released her 17 million dollar ‘Stabilize Program’ on January 28th, 2021 geared towards to helping live experience organizations continue to operate and reopen when it’s safe to do so. Sounds like great news right?! Well, the Stabilize Program does not include any of Alberta’s vibrant Arts & Culture small businesses.
Based on West Anthem’s Music Ecosystem Study, published October, 2020, in 2017 the total number of jobs generated and supported by the music sector in the province reached 21,261, of which 7,107 belong to Edmonton and 8,435 to Calgary. In total, the two cities’ music ecosystems generated a total output of $2.9 billion – $1.3 billion and $1.6 billion in Edmonton and Calgary, respectively. The province also generated a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2.1 billion, $687.53 million in Edmonton and $820.76 million in Calgary in 2017.
READ THE FULL REPORT HERE:
Besides the obvious employment & billions our industry generates for Alberta, our live music venues are fundamental in exporting Canadian Culture globally.
The Starlite Room has been closed since March 13th, 2020. Neither Minister Leela Aheer or her Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism & the Status of Women have responded to us. We need to know why Alberta’s for profit live music & touring industry was excluded from the Stabilize Program, when other for profit businesses (like professional sports teams) were not. We need to know if the Alberta government has an economic recovery plan which includes for profit businesses in the live music and touring industry.
OUR GOALS IN ALBERTA:
To educate the provincial government about the role that live music venues play in the wider economic and cultural life of our province and nation.
To educate the provincial government that the live music and touring sector does not solely function as a non-profit industry and that nearly 96% of these small businesses are at risk of closing permanently.
To have the provincial government create and implement an Economic Recovery Plan specific to the live music and touring industry.
To create a groundswell of support for our sector. In the midst of a complete shutdown — i.e. zero revenue with no end in sight — we find ourselves in need of specific provincial and federal assistance.
To educate music fans in particular and the public at large the role independent live music venues play in the wider economic and cultural life of our province and nation.
As we continue to do our part to curb the spread of the virus, we hope to encourage the provincial government to include specific relief and recovery support for the for profit live music and touring sector.
To be in a position to re-open when it is safe to do so!
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:
Write your municipal representatives and, most importantly, the provincial government (if possible give them a call), you can find the directory HERE.
INSTAGRAM: Tag Minister Leela Aheer in photographs of your FAVOURITE “LIVE EXPERIENCE” within music venues in Alberta.
@leelaaheerabTWITTER: Tweet Minister Leela Aheer and share stories of your FAVOURITE '“LIVE EXPERIENCE” within a live music venue in Alberta.
@LeelaAheerFACEBOOK: Tag Minister Leela Aheer and share share stories of your FAVOURITE '“LIVE EXPERIENCE” within a live music venue in Alberta. Share a link to this page as well!
@LeelaSharonAheer https://www.starlitesessions.com/news/stabilize-programSupport Alberta’s Venues by and using the hashtags:
#LeelaAheer #LeelaAheerAB #SupportCanadianVenues #SoutenezNosScenes #StabilizeSmallBusiness #StabilizeProgram #AlbertaCulture #ABArtsMatter #AlbertaMusic #ABarts #abpoli #ablegShare our website and social media @CDNVenues
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
with your friends and colleagues. When possible tag your MLA, City Counsellor, the Premier of Alberta, the Minister & Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism, the Minister & Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women and the opposition.Start a conversation… If we fail — and 96% of the sector fears they will be forced to close — there will be no venues for live music in this country. Encourage your community to advocate the provincial and federal government for emergency support funding and an economic recovery plan for Canada’s live music and touring sector.
If you have any recommendations for an Alberta Economic Recovery Plan for the live music and touring sector please email me: andrea@starliteroom.ca
