HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-14-020 - Tier 2 Grant Appeals
REPORT TO:
Council
DATE OF MEETING:
March 31, 2014
SUBMITTED BY:
Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development
519 741-2200 ext. 7506
PREPARED BY:
Jeff Young 519 741-2200 x 7388, Silvia Di Donato 519 741-
2200 x 7392
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
All
DATE OF REPORT:
March 24, 2014
REPORT NO.:
CAO-14-020
SUBJECT: DEFERRED 2014 COMMUNITY GRANTS TIER 2
(refers to CIS report Clause #8)
RECOMMENDATION:
That 2014 Community Grant Tier 2 applications deferred from Report CSD-14-016 be
addressed as follows:
That a 2014 Community Grant Tier 2 not be approved for 12 Angry Filmmakers, but that
Economic Development staff work with the organization to better define the project and
seek opportunities to support the film cluster through collaboration, networking events
and the Kitchener Studio Project;
That a 2014 Community Grant Tier 2 in the amount of $1000 be approved as a cash grant
to The G33K Art Show, and that Economic Development staff work with the G33K Art
Show to explore alternative venues, and additional exhibition opportunities in City of
Kitchener facilities; and
That a 2014 Community Grant Tier 2 in the amount of $8000 be approved as a cash grant
to Neruda Arts, and that Economic Development staff will evaluate and consider
additional requests for in-kind support as Kitchener based programming is developed.
BACKGROUND:
On March 17, 2014 Council received CSD14-016. The report recommended the allocation of
Community Tier 2 grants as outlined in Appendix B of the report. Approval of three funding
requests was deferred in order to assess their suitability for funding outside of the Community
Investment Strategy, specifically within Economic Development. Council also asked staff to
investigate opportunities to fund the application shortfalls from the Special Events operating
budget. On this matter, the 2014 Special Events budget has been fully allocated to existing
projects identified during 2014 budget process, and is not available to increase the amounts
allocated to the three Tier 2 applicants.
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Report CAO-14-120 addresses the three requests deferred on March 17: 12 Angry
Filmmakers; The G33K Art Show; and Neruda Arts.
REPORT:
Staff discussed the three requests in question and assessed them against the Kitchener
Economic Development Strategy (KEDS11) and business cluster development practices. Each
of the three applicants contribute to the cultural vitality of the City, and have the potential to
support Kitchener’s creative economy. The City’s Economic Development Division is committed
to working with these applicants and others to strengthen their access to peer networks, building
market opportunities, and cultivating a strong skills base. Recommendations are based on this
approach.
12 Angry Filmmakers
12 Angry Filmmakers is a group of local film makers producing 12 short films for the Grand
River Film Festival. They applied for $10,000 in Tier 2 funding, but were not supported due to
lack of detail in the proposal. Staff supports the committee recommendation that a 2014
Community Tier 2 Grant not be approved for 12 Angry Filmmakers as the project and project
requirements were not clearly defined in its application.
However, the organization is closely aligned with the City’s approach to film cluster development
and the Economic Development Division is determining how best to support the local film
industry. 12 Angry Filmmakers provides an opportunity to strengthen this sector. Networking,
professional development, and creative project development are integral to the strengthening of
the local film sector. The Economic Development Division will determine how best to assist 12
Angry Filmmakers in the articulation of their project through sponsorship, access to city-owned
facilities, and access to city resources. Staff will meet with 12 Angry Filmmakers in early April to
determine next steps.
The G33K Art Show
The G33K Art Show was provided financial support in 2012 and 2013 through Special Events
capacity building funds with the understanding that this was an arrangement expiring after the
2013 event. Staff recommended to The G33K Art Show that after this pilot project, City funds
would need to be accessed through the Community Grants program. Understanding the needs
of The G33K Art Show, staff recommends that the suggested Community Grant Tier 2 allocation
of $1000 in-kind be converted to $1000 cash. This will allow The G33K Art Show to explore
alternative venues, consider other sponsorship opportunities, and provide greater flexibility in
program development and delivery. Staff will work with The G33K Art Show to consider
exhibition space, which may include, but not be limited to video installations on the Sky Gallery,
exhibition in the Berlin Tower ARTSPACE, and/or community centre installations. Economic
Development staff will work directly with The G33K Art Show for these installations.
Neruda Productions
Staff recommends that there be no increase to the $8,000 in Community Grant Tier 2 funding
that has been recommended approved for Neruda Productions in 2014. In 2013 Neruda did not
fully utilize the City’s offer of in-kind funding through their approved Community Grant Tier 2. As
a result, staff recommends that the $4,000 originally allocated as in-kind be converted to an
offer of cash. Under this arrangement, in kind services in Kitchener, if required, would be paid
for by Neruda. By providing the full value of the Community Grant Tier 2 in cash ($8,000)
Neruda Productions will gain increased flexibility in their programming and leverage in
fundraising from alternative sources for 2014. As Neruda Productions continues to develop their
offerings for Kitchener based events, staff will meet with them to evaluate and consider
additional needs for in-kind support.There is some degree of risk to this approach as Neruda
has produced events in both Kitchener (e.g. Kultrun) and Waterloo (e.g. Latin Fest) and the
emphasis on this year’s grant application may not result in a Kitchener based event.
It should also be noted that the City of Waterloo has confirmed that Neruda Productions will be
receiving $4,000 cash and $2,000 in kind support this year through their grant program.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
See CSD-14-016.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
This report proposes no changes to the total funding envelope recommended for the applicants.
As a result, there is no financial impact falling from these recommendations. With allocations as
recommended, the Community Grants budget for 2014 would be fully spent. Also Note that
funding from the 2014 Special Events budget has been fully allocated to existing projects
identified during 2014 budget process.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Inform and Collaborate. See also CSD-14-016.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Jeff Willmer, CAO and Michael May, Deputy CAO