Advocacy & Engagement

open letter to mayor jefferies and members of city council for red deer

Link to PDF File: OPEN LETTER to Mayor & Council - CCDF Arts Funding Cuts

Arts & Culture in Red Deer Need Your HELP!

Late last week, the Red Deer Arts Council was notified that we received just $50,000 from The City of Red Deer’s Community Culture Development Fund grant program, a $40,000 reduction from our funding for 2023 - 2025 and an unsustainable amount.

Further, of that money, only $20,000 of the funds are earmarked towards the Arts & Culture programs that Red Deerians depend on from the Arts Council. $30,000 was assigned to The Hub Creative Arts program for individuals with disabilities.

In learning of this, we connected with many of our fellow arts organizations in the community and learned of their similar losses and funding cuts.

Many organizations are appealing the decisions made, but the following groups have lost funding for their arts programs. Sunnybrook Farm Museum Prime Stock Theatre for Bard on Bower Red Deer Pottery Club Central Music Festival Red Deer Highland Games Central Alberta Theatre ReThink Red Deer Norwegian Laft Hus Other organizations received reduced funding that will shrink their capacity to serve community: Family Services of Central Alberta for the Children’s Festival Red Deer Festival for the Performing Arts Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery Red Deer Arts Council Centrefest Street Performers Festival Some have retained community outreach programs serving under-represented communities, those with disabilities or mental health concerns, but have lost funding for their arts programs. We ask your help in advocating to the Mayor and City Council. Below are three email templates (also good for printing) that you can use to send your thoughts to Mayor Cindy Jefferies and our City Councillors: Tristin Brisbois, Kraymer Barnstable, Bruce Buruma, Cassandra Curtis, Adam Goodwin, Chad Krahn, Jaelene Tweedle, and Dianne Wyntjes. You can email these folks at: mayor(at)reddeer.ca and citycouncil(at)reddeer.ca Or send it to each Councillor individually with your personal thoughts at: cassandra.curtis(at)reddeer.ca tristin.brisbois(at)reddeer.ca kraymer.barnstable(at)reddeer.ca bruce.buruma(at)reddeer.ca adam.goodwin(at)reddeer.ca chad.krahn(at)reddeer.ca jaelene.tweedle(at)reddeer.ca dianne.wyntjes(at)reddeer.ca

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1. SHORT EMAIL TEMPLATE (Copy/Paste)

Subject: Please Restore Arts & Culture Funding in Red Deer

Dear Mayor Jeffries and Members of Council,

I am writing as a concerned Red Deer resident to urge you to revisit the 2026 - 2028 Community Culture Development Fund (CCDF) funding allocations. Many arts, culture, and heritage organizations—some that have served our city for decades—received drastic cuts or no funding at all for the next three years.

These organizations are essential to Red Deer’s wellbeing. They strengthen our community, support local artists, preserve our heritage, and make our city a place people want to live, work, and visit.

I respectfully ask Council to:

1. Review the 2026 - 2028 cycle’s CCDF adjudication process with an arts-appropriate lens.
2. Restore and increase funding for the arts and culture sector, with over twice the amount requested than was available.
3. Reinstate sustainable operational support so organizations can continue providing vital programs and services.

Arts and culture are core to our city’s identity. Please protect them.

Thank you for your consideration,
[Your Name]
[Your Address or Neighbourhood]

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2. MEDIUM-LENGTH LETTER TEMPLATE

(Ideal for email or printed letter; approx. 1 page)

Subject: Red Deer Needs Strong Arts & Culture Support – Please Reconsider 2026-2028 CCDF Funding Decisions

Dear Mayor Jeffries and Members of Council,

I am writing as a resident who cares deeply about Red Deer’s future. I am extremely concerned about the recent funding decisions under the 2026-2028 3-year cycle for Community Culture Development Fund – Development Category (CCDF).

Many long-standing arts, culture, and heritage organizations in Red Deer received either significant funding reductions or no support at all, despite serving thousands of residents every year. These cuts will result in cancelled programs, layoffs, reduced seasons, fewer events, and the possible closure of organizations that have shaped our community for decades.

The arts contribute enormously to quality of life, mental health, community connection, economic development, and resident retention. National data shows that 75% of Canadians feel arts and cultural events improve their sense of belonging, and 78% say these experiences are as or more important than last year. Our local experience reflects this: Red Deer residents rely on our museums, galleries, creative programs, performances, festivals, and cultural spaces to connect and enrich their lives.

I respectfully ask Council to take the following actions:

1. Review and overhaul the 2026 - 2028 CCDF adjudication process, ensuring decisions reflect arts and culture expertise and community needs for the coming three year cycle.
2. Restore and increase funding for the arts and culture sector, which has grown significantly while funding has remained stagnant since 2022, while requests have doubled against the funding available.
3. Reinstate operational funding, because organizations cannot deliver programs if they cannot keep their doors open.

Red Deer is preparing for major population growth in the coming years. Our city cannot afford to lose the cultural services that make it vibrant, welcoming, and competitive.

I ask you, with respect, to protect Red Deer’s arts and culture ecosystem before permanent damage is done.

Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to our community.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address or Neighbourhood]

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3. FULL-LENGTH CITIZEN ADVOCACY LETTER

(Approx. 2 pages; for highly engaged residents)

Subject: Urgent Request to Protect Red Deer’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Sector

Dear Mayor Jeffries and Members of Red Deer City Council,

I am writing with deep concern over the outcomes of the 2026 - 2028 Community Culture Development Fund (CCDF). As a Red Deer resident who values community wellbeing, vibrancy, and quality of life, I am alarmed by the severe cuts—or complete loss of funding—experienced by many of our city’s most important arts, culture, and heritage organizations.

These are not small program adjustments. These are decisions that will:

• End long-running community programs
• Reduce or eliminate public events
• Cancel school outreach and education
• Cut seasonal offerings
• Reduce paid employment for local artists
• Place several organizations at risk of closure

These organizations provide essential social, cultural, and economic benefits. They support creativity and belonging, contribute to tourism, help local businesses, offer learning opportunities, and strengthen community mental health and social cohesion.

What is especially concerning is the lack of clarity in how the adjudication decisions were made. Residents deserve transparency and assurance that Red Deer’s cultural institutions were evaluated using an arts-appropriate lens, not criteria designed for unrelated sectors such as social services, economic development, or recreation.

I understand the City is facing difficult financial pressures, including a $20-million deficit. However, cutting cultural infrastructure at a time of economic stress is not a long-term solution. The arts sector generates high returns on investment—economically, socially, and in community wellbeing. Red Deer’s cultural organizations also deliver these services at a fraction of the cost it would take The City to provide them municipally.

Moreover, Red Deer is planning for significant population growth, including the arrival of thousands of new residents connected to the hospital expansion. A vibrant arts and culture sector is one of the most important factors in attracting and retaining professionals and families.

I respectfully ask Council to take meaningful action:

1. Investigate and revise the 2026 - 2028 CCDF funding cycle’s adjudication process as this impacts the next three years of our community’s life.

Residents need assurance of transparency, arts-sector expertise, fairness, and public accountability in how these decisions were made.

2. Restore and expand investment in Red Deer’s arts and culture sector.

Funding has remained stagnant since 2022 despite growing demand and increased population needs.

3. Reinstate operational support.

Program-only funding is not sustainable. Organizations cannot run programs if they cannot keep their staff or their lights on.

To lose our cultural institutions—some of which have served the community for up to 80 years—would be a devastating and irreversible harm to Red Deer’s identity and vibrancy.

Arts and culture are not luxuries. They are essential services that shape the spirit of our city.

Please reconsider the 2026 - 2028 CCDF outcomes and work with our community to create a healthier, more sustainable path forward before we lose these invaluable institutions.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our city.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address or Neighbourhood]
[Optional: Why arts & culture matter personally to you]

1. SHORT EMAIL TEMPLATE (Copy/Paste)

Subject: Please Restore Arts & Culture Funding in Red Deer

Dear Mayor Jeffries and Members of Council,

I am writing as a concerned Red Deer resident to urge you to revisit the 2026 - 2028 Community Culture Development Fund (CCDF) funding allocations. Many arts, culture, and heritage organizations—some that have served our city for decades—received drastic cuts or no funding at all for the next three years.

These organizations are essential to Red Deer’s wellbeing. They strengthen our community, support local artists, preserve our heritage, and make our city a place people want to live, work, and visit.

I respectfully ask Council to:

1. Review the 2026 - 2028 cycle’s CCDF adjudication process with an arts-appropriate lens.
2. Restore and increase funding for the arts and culture sector, with over twice the amount requested than was available.
3. Reinstate sustainable operational support so organizations can continue providing vital programs and services.

Arts and culture are core to our city’s identity. Please protect them.

Thank you for your consideration,
[Your Name]
[Your Address or Neighbourhood]

---

2. MEDIUM-LENGTH LETTER TEMPLATE

(Ideal for email or printed letter; approx. 1 page)

Subject: Red Deer Needs Strong Arts & Culture Support – Please Reconsider 2026-2028 CCDF Funding Decisions

Dear Mayor Jeffries and Members of Council,

I am writing as a resident who cares deeply about Red Deer’s future. I am extremely concerned about the recent funding decisions under the 2026-2028 3-year cycle for Community Culture Development Fund – Development Category (CCDF).

Many long-standing arts, culture, and heritage organizations in Red Deer received either significant funding reductions or no support at all, despite serving thousands of residents every year. These cuts will result in cancelled programs, layoffs, reduced seasons, fewer events, and the possible closure of organizations that have shaped our community for decades.

The arts contribute enormously to quality of life, mental health, community connection, economic development, and resident retention. National data shows that 75% of Canadians feel arts and cultural events improve their sense of belonging, and 78% say these experiences are as or more important than last year. Our local experience reflects this: Red Deer residents rely on our museums, galleries, creative programs, performances, festivals, and cultural spaces to connect and enrich their lives.

I respectfully ask Council to take the following actions:

1. Review and overhaul the 2026 - 2028 CCDF adjudication process, ensuring decisions reflect arts and culture expertise and community needs for the coming three year cycle.
2. Restore and increase funding for the arts and culture sector, which has grown significantly while funding has remained stagnant since 2022, while requests have doubled against the funding available.
3. Reinstate operational funding, because organizations cannot deliver programs if they cannot keep their doors open.

Red Deer is preparing for major population growth in the coming years. Our city cannot afford to lose the cultural services that make it vibrant, welcoming, and competitive.

I ask you, with respect, to protect Red Deer’s arts and culture ecosystem before permanent damage is done.

Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to our community.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address or Neighbourhood]

---

3. FULL-LENGTH CITIZEN ADVOCACY LETTER

(Approx. 2 pages; for highly engaged residents)

Subject: Urgent Request to Protect Red Deer’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Sector

Dear Mayor Jeffries and Members of Red Deer City Council,

I am writing with deep concern over the outcomes of the 2026 - 2028 Community Culture Development Fund (CCDF). As a Red Deer resident who values community wellbeing, vibrancy, and quality of life, I am alarmed by the severe cuts—or complete loss of funding—experienced by many of our city’s most important arts, culture, and heritage organizations.

These are not small program adjustments. These are decisions that will:

• End long-running community programs
• Reduce or eliminate public events
• Cancel school outreach and education
• Cut seasonal offerings
• Reduce paid employment for local artists
• Place several organizations at risk of closure

These organizations provide essential social, cultural, and economic benefits. They support creativity and belonging, contribute to tourism, help local businesses, offer learning opportunities, and strengthen community mental health and social cohesion.

What is especially concerning is the lack of clarity in how the adjudication decisions were made. Residents deserve transparency and assurance that Red Deer’s cultural institutions were evaluated using an arts-appropriate lens, not criteria designed for unrelated sectors such as social services, economic development, or recreation.

I understand the City is facing difficult financial pressures, including a $20-million deficit. However, cutting cultural infrastructure at a time of economic stress is not a long-term solution. The arts sector generates high returns on investment—economically, socially, and in community wellbeing. Red Deer’s cultural organizations also deliver these services at a fraction of the cost it would take The City to provide them municipally.

Moreover, Red Deer is planning for significant population growth, including the arrival of thousands of new residents connected to the hospital expansion. A vibrant arts and culture sector is one of the most important factors in attracting and retaining professionals and families.

I respectfully ask Council to take meaningful action:

1. Investigate and revise the 2026 - 2028 CCDF funding cycle’s adjudication process as this impacts the next three years of our community’s life.

Residents need assurance of transparency, arts-sector expertise, fairness, and public accountability in how these decisions were made.

2. Restore and expand investment in Red Deer’s arts and culture sector.

Funding has remained stagnant since 2022 despite growing demand and increased population needs.

3. Reinstate operational support.

Program-only funding is not sustainable. Organizations cannot run programs if they cannot keep their staff or their lights on.

To lose our cultural institutions—some of which have served the community for up to 80 years—would be a devastating and irreversible harm to Red Deer’s identity and vibrancy.

Arts and culture are not luxuries. They are essential services that shape the spirit of our city.

Please reconsider the 2026 - 2028 CCDF outcomes and work with our community to create a healthier, more sustainable path forward before we lose these invaluable institutions.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our city.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address or Neighbourhood]
[Optional: Why arts & culture matter personally to you]