Yesterday, the Arts Visioning Commission released its twelve recommendations. You can read a press release, as well as find the pdf report, at the link but we’ll give you a quick summary, because honestly who wants to read that stuff? Here’s how the commission describes itself:

The Mayor’s Arts Visioning Committee was created by Mayor Stephen Mandel in early 2011. The committee was asked to look beyond the City’s 10-year plan – The Art of Living – and investigate new opportunities, especially in partnerships between Edmonton’s arts and business communities to carry the plan forward. The group set itself a foundational goal: how to develop recommendations to lift Edmonton to international recognition as a city of the arts by the year 2040.

Sounds good, right? Well, here are their twelve main recommendations:

1. The City of Edmonton acquire and convert MacEwan University’s west campus, the Centre for the Arts and Communications, into a multi-use, multicultural and City operated arts incubator.

2. The City of Edmonton develop the former power plant site into a landmark cultural and commercial complex on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River which must include a premier Aboriginal arts and cultural celebration centre, as well as studio, exhibit and performance space for Edmonton artists.

3. The City of Edmonton endorse, in principle, a landmark performing arts centre (PAC) downtown, and designate land for such a development in the city core.

4. The City of Edmonton establish a capital allocation under the civic capital budget in anticipation of future opportunities to establish, enhance or acquire arts space of all types.

5. The City of Edmonton create and sustain arts spaces within existing and future community recreation centres and other community spaces for creation, classes, exhibits and performance.

6. Private and government partners establish an Edmonton Arts Sustainability Fund for small and mid-sized arts organizations to help finance business development.

7. A community-lead initiative, modeled after Sports Central, be supported by the City of Edmonton to supply materials, equipment, and program support for disadavantaged and disconnected Edmontonians to pursue arts experiences.

8. The City Manager and Edmonton Arts Council leadership develop a strategy to embed a broad vision of the arts into city planning and decision making.

9. Embed in downtown planning a commitment to the arts, comprised of funding for public art, as well as designated spaces for artists to live, create, rehearse and perform.

10. The City of Edmonton increase capacity for the Edmonton Arts Council to strengthen proactive outreach programs to ensure diverse communities are engaged in decisionmaking throughout the city’s arts organizations and increase participation across the city.

11. The City of Edmonton takes a leadership role to invite a coalition of business, civic and community groups to strongly advocate for increased funding and emphasis on arts education in Edmonton schools and post-secondary institutions.

12. The City of Edmonton and business partners increa se support and awareness of the Edmonton Arts Council’s “Artist in Residence” program to enhance in-house opportunities and collaboration for artists with local businesses.

13. Corporate and arts community members establish a business and arts advisory committee to work with the Edmonton Arts Council to build on the 2040 arts vision and link the two communities with shared expertise, resources and ideas.

Well, wait: there’s only supposed to be twelve. Point number nine there is only present in the summary, not in the full explanations—but those explanations are full of reflection and justification for these plans, so if you are curious about the details, go have a look yourself—and tell us what you think of these visions! Will they be implemented? Are they on the right track? Leave us a comment below.