Surrey is actively investing in its artistic community as its population grows, aiming to become something more than a Vancouver suburb. Between 2012 and 2016, more than $3 million of city funds will be spent on public art projects according to Surrey’s Public Art Plan, while the city will also distribute $123,000 directly to community arts organizations this year as part of its new Cultural Grants program. Neighbouring White Rock, and its own long-standing but smaller artistic community, is feeling the effects of Surrey’s cultural transformation as well.

Surrey, city of culture

Spotting the invisble in Surrey. | Photo by waferboard, Flickr

According to Surrey painter Jeremy Herndl, the city is in the midst of an active transition from a traditional suburb to a city with cultural substance. Rebranding is the term he uses, and with all the new developments that have sprung up, in his opinion the city has turned to artists in the community for input. Recent years have seen a boom of development projects and investment in the arts, with two proposed arts facilities and 54 public art installations.

“[Surrey is] growing very rapidly, and as it grows it realizes it has not grown its artistic community, so the city of Surrey is doing a lot to promote its cultural offerings,” says Herndl.

For Herndl, the artistic community in Surrey is vibrant but could still use help with more affordable studios and better access to resources.

Local comedy troupe Bollywood Shenanigans have benefitted from the financial support provided to artists in the city through the Surrey Arts Board. The group has been active for the past three years and specializes in Desi SNL-style shows that poke fun at the South Asian community in Canada.

“We are very excited to bring the best of show to Surrey. It is quite relevant to the South Asian community in Vancouver,” says Munish Sharma, writer, actor and one of the co-founders of Bollywood Shenanigans.

Artistic communities, large and small

Totem poles at East Beach, White Rock. | Photo by Joe Mabel, Flickr

White Rock, with its own separate weather pattern and established artistic vibe, occupies a mystic place in the Lower Mainland.

“Many artists call White Rock their home and we are very proud to recognize the contribution they make to the well-being of our community,” says White Rock councillor Helen Fathers.

Some of this small community vibe may be seen in the White Rock Players’ Club, a theatre group that dates back to 1944. Now, 350 productions later, it is a White Rock institution, with as many as four generations of families making it out to the yearly Christmas pantomime. The theatre is run completely by volunteers – from the director to the usher – with only one paid employee and a contracted cleaner.

“It amazes me every time I sit in a seat and the lights go down and that curtain goes up what these amazing, creative, dedicated, talented people can create, especially from people that have full time jobs and families to give their time so easily and passionately,” says Nicole Danish, theatre box office manager for the past four years.

As the cities continue to grow together geographically, new developments will raise issues that affect the artistic communities in each. A new performing arts center has been proposed for South Surrey which would host 6,500 square feet dedicated to the arts and a 350-seat theatre, along with a high-rise building.

“There is no need for another theatre in the area,” Danish says. “We do not see how it would make the community better. It will take away from the ‘community theatre’ feel the White Rock Players’ Club represents.”

Fathers, though, believes that the new Surrey arts development would be simply another positive addition to the broader area’s artistic community. She suggests that since it is already an embedded practice for White Rock residents to support their local artists, community theatres like the White Rock Players’ Club will continue to thrive.

Indeed, Surrey’s large artistic community and White Rock’s smaller one sometimes come together, especially to recognize the excellence to be found in each. The Surrey Civic Treasure Award, which annually honours individuals who have achieved success in their field and embody Surrey’s values of arts and heritage, has been awarded to residents of White Rock in previous years. The SASSY Awards, presented by the Semiahmoo Rotary Club, are awarded to Surrey and White Rock youth between the ages of 16 and 21 in categories such as Performing and Visual Arts and Community Service.