I would like to offer an alternative perspective to that expressed by the reader who feels the “idea of having the arts center offer … classes, also with taxpayer funding for rental space or operations expenses, is unfair to the local small-business providers of those classes” (“Arts center problematic,” Our Readers’ Views, Aug. 15).
Instead of viewing the teaching of the arts as a limited customer base, perhaps it is an expandable customer base when more options are presented.
I grew up in Portland during an era when the parks bureau offered subsidized dance classes to area families. Taxpayer facilities were used for lessons and performances. Most of the young people in the classes came from families like mine who were unable to afford much in the way of extracurricular activities. Experience with these programs enabled two of my siblings to teach dance, one as an entry-level, first-time job, the other as a volunteer in an after-school program.
I could go on about how the arts help young people develop self-confidence, focus, and the ability to communicate with others. Regardless, opportunities to explore the arts should be available to every young person, no matter their family’s socioeconomic standing. A Vancouver arts center could provide that as a public service.
