HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts & Culture - 2014-01-21
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
JANUARY 21, 2014CITY OF KITCHENER
PRESENT:Helena Ball
Mark Derro
Danielle Deveau
Councillor Kelly Galloway-Sealock (from 4:20)
Caroline Hissa
Allan Hoch
Earl McCluskie
D. Morton
Sean Puckett
REGRETS:Mark Logan
STAFF:Silvia DiDonato, Manager, Arts/Culture
Emily Robson, Coordinator, Arts/Culture
Carrie Kozlowski, Recording Secretary
GUESTS:Hilary Abel, Downtown Marketing and Program Coordinator
Shelley Adams, Director, Creative Enterprise Initiative (CEI)
Brian Bennett, Manager, Business Development
Cory Bluhm, Manager, Downtown Development
Julie Marshall, Event Coordinator
Janette MacDonald, Economic Development Technical Analyst
Brian Scott, Event Coordinator
CALL TO ORDER: Earl McCluskie, Chair
1.0Acceptance of Agenda
Defer item 4: Joint Advisory Committee meeting planning
New item 4: Sustainability Funding
Agenda accepted as amended
2.0Acceptance of December 17, 2013 Meeting Minutes
Accepted as circulated
DISCUSSION
3.0The Smart Region initiative and the role of culture in regional development and Culture
Building: Danielle Deveau
This is a collaborative,multi-stakeholderproject involving open data and data sharing.
Partners: University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier, University of Guelph, Conestoga College.
Region of Waterloo (including townships), Cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph.
Various non-governmental and private sector partners.
Key goal: to support multi-stakeholder research projects conducted within the universities
and college in collaboration with the regional governments and private sector. To link
knowledge/expertise across the region to solve real problems related to rapid growth.
Vision: Evolving into a ‘smart’ region through the effective use of data and social and
cultural insights with advanced analytics, the region will become a centre for the
development and demonstration of technologies, systems, services and design solutions
enabling smart growth.
Smart growth: a new approach to regional planning. Holistic development approach that
considersquality of life and impact on the social and natural environment. Recognizes a
relationship between development and regional ‘livability’. Recognizes that no community
or sector can grow in isolation.
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January 2014-ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
JANUARY 21, 2014CITY OF KITCHENER
Three interrelated Nodes make up the initiative:Socio-economic and Cultural; Advanced
Informatics’ Built Environment
Socio-economic and Cultural:Indicators for cultural vibrancy in the Waterloo region
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need to be identified, measured, and tracked over time to evaluate and shape growth
strategies and policy recommendation. To attract and retain talent, we must ensure
this is a place people want to live. Partners: Creative Enterprise Initiative, Creative
Communities Prosperity Fund committee, regional and municipal governments, Grand
Social, Arts Build Ontario.
Desired project outcomes:provide stakeholders and policymakers with indicators of
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strengths and gaps in cultural infrastructure, offerings and opportunities in the region
(in the form of a report).Develop a framework for long-range tracking and
reporting. Establish a precedent for in-depth, multi-stakeholder research projects
that prioritize the creative economy as a key aspect of regional prosperity. Reinforce
‘smart region’ brand.
4.0Joint Advisory Committee meeting planning: deferred
Sustainability Funding: D. Morton
December 4, 2013 Record Article about Sustainability Funding
In response to aDecember 4, 2013Record article, some members of the arts community
have expressed concern over distribution of sustainabilityfunding to the pillar arts
organizations in the region. Comments include:
Artistic talent is fleeing the region
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Smaller arts organizations that generatecutting edge, original work in our
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community aren’t given sufficient support.
Grassroots emerging artistic talent is not funded or sustained.
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Reviewing the distribution and exploring other options for the distribution of the
sustainability funds is on the work plan for the Arts/Culture unit for 2014.
Anticipated process for the review: Uncover the rationale behind the original allocation
decision, determine ifthe same needs existin a regional context, identify gaps,
recommend process improvements for 2015.ACAC will be consulted.
ACTION: Staff to provide background and context on sustainability funding via a presentation at a
future meeting.
ACTION: Staff,DMorton, and any other interested ACAC members to meet to strategize about
distribution of 2015sustainability funding and report back to ACAC
5.0Working Group Updates: deferred
6.0Public Art Working Group report: Sean Puckett
On a motion made by Sean Puckett, seconded by DanielleDeveau:
“That 2013 Artist in Residence Susan Coolen’s commission proposal for an
installation of framed artwork that evolved out of her “Litter-Arti Project” be
accepted for installation at Forest Heights Community Centre.”
MOTION CARRIED
Discussion:
Forest Heights Community Centre would be pleased to host Susan Coolen’s commissioned
work.
Staff report to go forward to standing committee on February 3.
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January 2014-ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
JANUARY 21, 2014CITY OF KITCHENER
Other PAWG items:
Report recommending appointment of DwightStorring and his project, ‘Neighbourhood
Voices’ as 2014 artist in residence to go forward to standing committee on February 3.
Issues arising: necessity to develop a process to address unsolicited proposals from the
community for art projects, both temporary and permanent.
INFORMATION ITEMS
7.0Downtown Advisory Committee update, D. Morton:
Startup landing pad improvement grant program: grants to startups to fund improvements
for eligible underused, upperstorey downtown spacesabove commercial businesses. $1 M in
leaseholder improvements grants reimbursed on paid expenses is proposed. Up to $20,000
matching grant per floor. Need to secure provincial approval to proceed. Goal is to accept
applications by the 3rdquarterof2014.
8.0Economic Development Advisory Committee update, Mark Derro: As above—joint meeting.
9.0Council report: Councillor Kelly Galloway-Sealock:
Final budget day is January 30.
An issue paper about intended use of ‘public art project balances’ will be broughtforward
ACTION: Issue paper to be shared with ACACby email.
10.0Members’ news
Sean: KW Little Theatre presents the play, Book of Esther. Opens Thursday, January 23:
Link to information about Book of Esther play at KW Little Theatre
Helena: Grand River Collegiate is featured in the open gallery program for 2014. Exhibit
runs from Feb 8 to March 7. Real world exhibition experience for students.
ADJOURNMENT
The chair adjourned the formal portion of the meeting at 5:03pm.
NEXT MEETING
Date: February 184:00 p.m., Conestoga Room
Following the formal portion of the meeting, ACAC members broke out into the following subgroups to
make progress on the work plan:
1.Music Works
2.Arts/culture strategy development and culture planning in regional context
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January 2014-ACAC Minutes