Arts and Cultural Development falls under the Parks, Culture and Recreation Department. At present, this area is led by the Manager, Arts & Cultural Development. As the initiatives continue to grow and develop out of the 2008 Arts Strategy, additional resources will be added as needed.

Additionally, the City’s Arts and Culture Commission was established to guide the City in overall decision making concerning the arts. The Commission provides support for arts and cultural activities by advising Council on matters within the mandate of the Commission or on those matters relating to arts, which are referred to Council. The Commission consists of 13 voting members appointed by Council, with representatives from the professional arts sector, community based arts sector, the New Westminster Arts Council, the educational sector, Douglas College and City Council. For more information on the Commission, click here.

The City of New Westminster is proud to be one of three municipalities in BC to appoint a Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate is appointed for a 3-year term and is the City's official literary ambassador and helps to promote poetry and literacy through projects, programs and events. The current Poet Laureate is Candice James.

The New Westminster Arts and Culture community is about enriching your quality of live through the following cultural benefits:

• Creation of Economic Opportunities
• Creation of Community Identity and Pride
• Creation of Community Understanding
• Encouragement of Collaboration
• Provision of Opportunity to Learn New Skills
• Encouragement of Self-Expression