Che Kothari is the force behind MANIFESTO Festival, our partner for the second THE PEEK event. When he sent out a note about supporting this cause, I was all up for it – more art in the city, how can we deny?

BeautifulCity.ca is a site devoted to a cause – to pass a new tax on billboard advertisers to fund enforcement and arts initiatives across the city (in this case, Toronto). Here’s how you can take action:

1 – Call and write your councillor. Let them know that the revenue should not be hijacked or pushed down to nothing. Click here for info and key asks: http://tinyurl.com/yj9cn5f

2 – Show your support at City Hall on Nov 30th / Dec 1st RSVP here: http://tinyurl.com/y9×4xyt
3 – Spread the word.

Background

 

After seven years of work, the tax on billboards for art is close to becoming a reality! Toronto City Council will be voting on the new billboard enforcement bylaw and tax for art on November 30th OR December 1st, 2009. We don’t have much time – and we need your help!

 

Advertising is increasingly infringing on our public spaces, and the privilege of leveraging our city for commercial ends should come with a responsibility to keep them healthy. Almost all other forms of advertising subsidize content in exchange for your attention. The billboard tax is a fair and just means for private advertisers to take responsibility for their impact on the city.

Now that you’ve got it, it’s time to go!