Oakville enjoys a vibrant arts and cultural community consisting of many talented musicians, artists, dancers, actors and writers.

The town is blessed with a wide range of groups for these talented individuals to explore and hone their cultural interests.

What they lack, however, is a central place to meet, practice, and display their talents.

Instead, they are confined to whatever venues they can rent to showcase their talents.

CommUnity Arts Space is trying to change that. CommUnity Arts Space represents a wide range of local arts and cultural groups that are trying to convince the Town of Oakville to invest in one or more multi-purpose arts facilities.

While it sounds expensive, CommUnity Arts Space contends it is simply trying to close the gap between what the town spends on recreational centres and cultural items in its annual budget.

Cultural funding in Oakville is definitely lagging when compared to the amount of public money spent on arenas, soccer pitches and other playing fields.

We're not in favour of robbing one to fund the other, but surely the gap can be narrowed.

The Town is taking steps towards closing that gap by developing a cultural plan for Oakville for the next 20 years.

To help form that plan, residents are being asked to complete an online survey on the Town's website at www.oakville.ca/cultureliveshere.htm.

The Town is also holding four public meetings in May for people to discuss their thoughts about the direction of cultural funding in Oakville.

To anyone who is involved in the arts, whether it be as a patron or the proud parent of a budding dancer, these are important meetings.

What message will it send to the Town if these meetings are sparsely attended.

The arts community in Oakville is being given a chance to build a roadmap for its future over the next 20 years.

It would be wise to make the most of this opportunity.