HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts & Culture - 2012-01-17ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
January 17, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER
PRESENT:Don BourgeoisREGRETS:Laura Lee Dam
Mark DerroCheryl Ewing
Ashley DeanCouncillor Kelly Galloway
Ann Marie HadcockAllan Hoch
Aaron MacFarlane
Earl McCluskie(from 4:45)STAFF:Cheryl York, Arts/Culture Coordinator
Catherine MombourquetteCarrie Kozlowski, Recording Secretary
Bill NuhnMark Hildebrand, Director, Community
Sean PuckettPrograms and Services
Sarry Zheng
Juan Bohorquez
Helena Ball
GUESTS:Jeremy Freiburger, Imperial Cotton Centre for the Arts
Alan Daniel, Painter, Member, Collaboratory 6
CALL TO ORDERDon Bourgeois, Chair
1.0Acceptance of Agenda
Agenda acceptedascirculated.
2.0Acceptance of December 20, 2011 Minutes
Minutes accepted as circulated.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.0Sub-group Reports
3.1Facilities/Services for the Arts: Aaron MacFarlane
Presentation by JeremyFreiburger, founder, Imperial Cotton Centre for the Arts
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Anon-profit centre in Hamilton,10 years in operation. Not a municipally funded
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enterprise.Known for creating unique partnerships;they are an ‘arts service’
organization, recognized by Ontario Arts Council.
Group successfully facilitated adaptive reuse and tenancy of five buildings for arts
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purposes. Now consulting with others to teach them to do the same.
‘Space’ is the basis for a mutually beneficial relationship betweenprivatesector and
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arts community—Imperial Cotton Centre facilitates this relationship.
‘Space’ for artists is where networking, production, storage, sales, collaboration
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experimentation, creation takes place.
Starting out, Jeremy(a performer)and his cohorts noticed lack of access to space
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was a barrier for artists; no ‘studio culture’ existed in Hamilton.
For arts organizations, building ownership can be risky if dependent on granting.
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Organizations may lack up-front capital to own/upkeep a building. Building
ownership may be too time-consuming.
The organization was small(no capital and no reputation), but had an idea: “co-
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location space”.Also had: artists’ trust; connections in community; understanding of
artists’ needs and the local environment; understanding of an industry no other
realtor/developer was pursuing; knowledge of funding mechanisms.
Undertook in-depth interviews with artists about space needs; researched other
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successful models. Also completed itsown industry research on impact of the arts on
the economy.
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January 2012-ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
January 17, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER
Introduced the idea of an infrastructure continuum. Where an artist is in his/her
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career is directly related to his/her infrastructure needs. In Hamilton, a gap was
identified meeting needs of emerging artists. Cossart Centre for Emerging Artists
developed as a result, providing resources to match this segment’s needs (workshops
and information).
Finds a suitable space, assists in setting a fair rate, cleans, paints, showcases space
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to the market (artists), finds tenants (takes commissionfor this),manages
relationships(receives a monthly maintenance fee), helps promote community
engagement and events, then steps away from project as it becomes self-sustainable.
By stepping away, this proves that private sector can collaborate with arts
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community directly;non-profit needn’t be involved.
Typically, light industrial space is reused; with each building (as momentum grows),
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the group moves closer to the downtown core. Other private industries became
interestedin collaborating.
Now 75,000 sq ft space, total(100 studios). Includes painters, potters, printers,
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interactivemedia, industrial, musicians, architecture…
Building owners pay for the renovations. Leases are between artists and building
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owners. Tenancy is very stable. There is big demand for space to accommodate
artists’needs.
Rates depend on the space, but are market rates, set in collaboration with building
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owners/developer.
Also runs an ‘mls for studio space’, which is a version of cultural mapping(includes
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spaces beyond the spaces Imperial Cotton Centre for the Arts provides).
Template for process (first building) took three years (research, finding the building,
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implementation). Subsequent projects take one yearto implement.
Conditions specific to Hamilton that contributed to success: Lots of empty space
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available. Hamilton Arts Council hadphased out.
In Kitchener, there is likely more vacant space than we think, there is a public who
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would engage in art if they knew where it is, and there are artists who will pay rates
for good space.
Imperial Cotton Centre is currently assisting Guelph Art Works.
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3.2City’s Role in Arts/Culturesub-groupreport: DonBourgeois
On a motion made by Earl McCluskie, seconded by Juan Bohorquez:
“That councilendorse the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee’s recommendations for
amendments to the Official Plan regarding arts and culture issues, and further, support
action for a new culture plan.”
MOTION CARRIED
Discussion:
‘Role of the City’ subgroup report (comments on the Official Plan from an Arts and
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Culture perspective) circulated prior to meeting.
Report to be strengthenedwith addition of data illustrating the positive economic
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impact of the arts on community.
ACTION:ACAC members with relevant statistics to provide them to Don Bourgeois and
Cheryl York for inclusion in the report.
Subgroup report to go to Council. Strategy: It’s possible for Council to direct
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Planning staff to revise Official Plan to incorporate desired changes.
It is imperative for Official Plan to recognize importance of,and address arts and
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culture concerns(arts and culture cluster development for example, added measures
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ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
January 17, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER
to protect current cultural facilities), as the plan guides long-term decisions
regarding development of the city (land use policies).
Official Plan is a legal document. Contents must be substantive and supported in the
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planning act, otherwise it is unenforceable.
Role subgroup andPlanning Staff met several times. Planning department received
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feedback from advisory committees and thepublic.
Key points for amendmentsto OPfromthe Arts and Culture perspective:
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a)Recognize creative sector as an economic sector and include appropriate land use
policies
b)Distinguish ‘culture’from multiculturalism
c)Enable private sector to provide new ‘employment lands’ for cultural facilities
through appropriate land use policies
d)Protect key facilities and existing land use of the creative sector
e)Maintain land use in Civic District for cultural purposes
Conclusion: While current draft of Official Plan is an improvement, it could still be
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further strengthened, from an arts and culture perspective.
ACTION:Staff to provide copy of report, when revised, to Planning staff, prior to going to Council.
4.0Committee Reporting to Council: all
Group decided April/May is most advantageous time to present report to Council.
ACTION: Staff to include on next agenda, content and responsibilities for report crafting
5.0Creative Communities Prosperity Fund Application: Cheryl York
On a motion made by JuanBohorquez, seconded by AaronMacFarlane:
“That council support the submission of an application for Creative Communities Prosperity
Funding”
MOTION CARRIED
Discussion:
Culture Plans I &II: served to identify and initiate development of many arts/culture
community-based initiatives that continue to support/enableour arts community and
provideopportunities for citizenengagement in local arts scene.
Background document enumerating many CP-driven initiatives distributed to ACAC by staff.
Culture Plan IIintended lifespan: 2005-2010. Accomplished a lot, but did not satisfy all
requirements of a provincially-recognized culture plan. New plan required.
Provincial definition of Municipal Cultural Planning: Municipal government-led process
approved by Councilfor identifying and leveraging a community’s cultural resources,
strengthening the management of those resources, and integrating those cultural resources
across all facets of local government planning and decision-making.
With Creative Communities Prosperity funding, Kitchener could undertake a new cultural
plan.Funding opportunity expires at end of year. Many other cities have taken advantage of
this funding.
A current, provincially-recognized culture plan will give arts and culture issues profile and
legitimacy and formal opportunities for arts issues to be woven into the fabric of other
municipal planninginitiatives(Strategic planning, Official planning, Economic Development)
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ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
January 17, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER
6.0Municipal Cultural Planning (MCP) update: Cheryl York
Workshop February 3, 2012: "Collaboration and Action"at new Regional History Museum.
Collaborative project by Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and the Region, in partnership with
Municipal CulturalPlanning Inc.
Topics include: Theory and practice of municipal cultural planning and how economic
development planning, official planning and cultural planning interrelate.
ACTION: ACAC members to email carrie.kozlowski@kitchener.caif they wish to enroll/attend
7.0Public Art Working Group (PAWG) Report: Ann Marie Hadcock
Committee received background information on Otto Street reconstruction project, which
mayresult in a public art project.
Representatives from King Edward School Greening Committee attended to discuss possible
public art project on school grounds; could be a Cityhood Centennial project.
INFORMATION ITEMS
8.0Collaboratory 6 update: Juan Bohorquez
Group continues work on its business plan.
Consulting with Small Business Centre.
Considering location options that will beviable financially.
9.0Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC) Report: Aaron MacFarlane
No reportavailable, committee has not met.
10.0Council Report: Kelly Galloway
Deferred in Councillor Galloway’s absence
11.0Members’ Updates
JuanBohorquez, Cynosure Jewelry:designer, Shannon Kennedy, is a finalist for the 2011
Saul Bell award. Cynosure now taking Valentine’s day orders.
SeanPuckett: visit http://elevatorarts.orgfor details on ‘Elevator’, an arts and culture
conservatorydeveloped by Sean.
Ann Marie Hadcock:Part of group show called Exhibit 27at 1444 #31 Dupont Street, Toronto
January 20-22.
Ashley Dean: Recent cost/benefit analysis report Ashley completed about Culture Plan II
earned a good grade. February 2-4, University of Waterloo theatre company (FASS), will
present a revisionist history.
Staff: Three options for external façade improvements to The Boathouse available for public
review and comment by January 27:
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/Boathouse_Improvements.asp
MarkDerro (Conestoga College):Conestoga is working with other post-secondary
institutions; expect announcement in summer 2012 impacting arts programs
Bill NuhnCentre in the Square (CITS): Tim Hortons community ticket program will provide
tickets for hundreds of individuals in our community to Centre in the Square performances.
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January 2012-ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
January 17, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER
Children, families and others who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend the
theatre will be able to attend.
Sarry Zheng: Had an orientation session with Chair and Staff. Spending three months
pursuing community developments in Asia, then will return in May, 2012. Interested in re-
creating local ‘salon’ scene.
HelenaBall, Homer Watson House and Gallery:January 7-27, Embark, an exhibit by
Eastwood Collegiate students. February 4-March 11: Kitchener Waterloo Society of Artists
annual juried show.
ADJOURNMENT
The chair adjourned the meeting at 5:55p.m.
NEXT MEETING
February 21, 2012, 4:00 p.m., Conestoga Room.
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