Port Moody to pilot Arts and Business Council model before formal launch

The City of Port Moody is moving ahead with a pilot project to test the viability of establishing a dedicated arts and business council – a first-of-its-kind initiative for the region.

City council voted on May 13 to approve a 12 to 18-month “proof of concept” phase, which will be led by a contracted arts and business specialist. 

The goal of the pilot is to explore how best to foster collaboration between local artists and businesses while evaluating the most appropriate governance model for a future council.

Mayor Meghan Lahti said the city wants to ensure it’s pursuing the right model before formally creating a new organization.

“An arts and business council would be unique to Port Moody and to the region,” said Mayor Meghan Lahti. “Before we establish a not-for-profit organization to support arts groups and businesses as they work together for mutual benefit, we want to be sure that we’re selecting the right governance model for our community.”

The concept of an arts and business council first emerged in early 2023 as one of nine recommendations by the Mayor’s Arts and Business Coalition Task Force (MABCTF), which was tasked with reinforcing Port Moody’s reputation as the “City of the Arts.”

 Among its nine recommendations was the creation of a dedicated arts and business council.

Council’s endorsement of the pilot follows a consultant-led community workshop held in January 2025, where local arts and business stakeholders gathered to discuss how the two sectors could improve collaboration. 

Staff presented the consultant’s findings, along with recommendations, at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

A specialist, expected to be hired by summer, will be responsible for developing a detailed workplan in consultation with stakeholders, testing and refining governance options, and launching early initiatives aimed at building partnerships between the arts and business communities. 

A final report summarizing outcomes and next steps will be presented to council at the end of the pilot.

Funding for the initiative—$150,000 annually for two years—was previously earmarked in the city’s 2025–2029 financial plan through the Arts Reserve. A portion of that funding will go toward hiring the specialist on a contract basis.

Following the dissolution of the original task force in late 2023, a new Arts and Business Council Project Task Force was appointed to oversee community engagement. 

That group wrapped up its work in mid-2024, and its findings were included in the council meeting agenda as part of the pilot proposal.

As the city moves forward with implementation, Mayor Lahti emphasized the importance of continued community involvement. 

“Relationship-building will be a key component,” she said, “and the arts and business community will have further opportunities to provide input and feedback.”