Could we ever know each other in the slightest without the arts? – Gabrielle Roy (on the back of the Canadian $20 bill)

Parks, Culture and Recreation formally adopted Culture into its mandate in 2010 based on Council recommendations from the 2008 Arts Strategy – A Plan for the Arts in New Westminster. This strategy was the outcome of extensive community consultation and research, and helped to define six key objectives for arts and cultural development in the city.

Embracing a global movement amongst municipalities, New Westminster has adopted arts and culture as the “fourth pillar” of sustainability in the City’s Strategic Plan (2012-14) and has included arts and culture as a significant indicator in the City’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan known as Envision 2032. The Downtown Community Plan (2011) addresses the important role of arts and culture in the City’s downtown “Cultural Precinct”.

The Arts are crucial to defining the "soul" of a community. New Westminster has a thriving and vibrant "soul", reflected by a diverse number of artists and arts organizations who transform the City through various arts genres - theatre, music, dance, visual arts, literary, digital and media arts, circus arts and a growing and lively 'festival' scene.

The Cultural fabric of the City is preserved and enhanced through our library, museums and archives, and through numerous individuals and organizations who are dedicated to the promotion of the New Westminster's rich cultural history as the oldest City in Western Canada.

through the development of community-initiated and city-wide projects and programs, Parks, Culture and Recreation is committed to achieving the goals and objectives of the 2008 Arts Strategy.