Keltie Brown is the co-chair of the Professional Arts Coalition of Edmonton (PACE) and she had a date with Edmonton City Council today, advocating for the continuation of funding support for the Edmonton Arts Council (EAC). Keltie had five minutes to make her case for Councillors to increase funding to the EAC as per the recommendations outlined in The Art of Living – Edmonton’s 10-year plan for arts and heritage. This is currently an unfunded item in the 2013 Budget and requires council’s approval to be implemented. Click here to learn more about the 2013 Edmonton Budget.

We video taped Keltie’s presentation and embedded it here. (She’s the one with the long brown hair, wearing a grey top. Apologies for the shaky video!). We’ve also uploaded a copy of Keltie’s speech for your reading pleasure here: City budget presentation PACE

My favourite part:

Anyone who has been in this city for the past five or six years knows that Edmonton is in the midst and on the verge of something remarkable. Something grassroots that builds on the strengths of the past, while youth and innovation flourish. Leadership from: this council, strong communities, local businesses, and the Arts have brought us this far. We appreciate your vision for this city and your support for the Arts as essential to that vision.

Thanks Keltie and PACE for you continued advocacy for the Arts!