HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-15-011 - Progress Update - CITS Mandate
REPORT TO:Council
DATE OF MEETING:March 9, 2015
SUBMITTED BY: Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Dev., 519-741-2200 x 7506
PREPARED BY:Silvia DiDonato, Manager, Arts/Culture, 519-741-2200 x 7392
WARD (S) INVOLVED:n/a
DATE OF REPORT:February 25, 2015
REPORT NO.:CAO-15-011
SUBJECT:PROGRESS UPDATE FOR CENTRE IN THE SQUAREMANDATE
PROJECT
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RECOMMENDATION:
For discussion.
BACKGROUND:
In August 2014, Council approved recommendations that “staff be directed to revisit the
mission and mandate of CITS,"and “to coordinate the selection of a facilitator to lead the
mission/mandate discussion.” Revisiting the mandate for the building known as Centre in the
Square (CITS) was suggested through a comprehensive operational review conducted in 2014
(the Webb report).
The City of Kitchener is now working towards a refreshedmandate for the building itself, that
would align with theCity’s strategy to supportinvestment in cultural amenities, contribute toa
healthy community and become recognized as an economic driver. The mandate is a long
term view that creates a direction for future decisions, rather than short term operations.
More than thirty years ago, the community was instrumental in the realization of a dream for an
internationally-renowned performing arts venue, theCentre in the Square. Recognized for
unparalleled acoustics, it is home to Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony(KWS), and a premier
choice for performance and recording by world renowned orchestras and artists. Centre in the
Square boasts a main hall widely regarded as one of the finest performance spaces in North
America. It was designed by Rieder, Hymmen and Lobban, and opened in September 1980.
The building also contains the Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery(KWAG), the oldest and largest
public gallery in Waterloo Region. The Gallery emphasizes contemporary art, often premiering
works by Canadian and international artists and boasts a 4,000-work permanent collection.
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KWAG plays an educational and cultural role in the community for adults, children and families
alike.
The facility is owned by the City of Kitchener, and governed by anot-for-profit board of
directorsthat direct operations. The city provides an annualoperating grant of $1.4M, which
represents 20 per cent of the yearly operating costs. Remaining funds are generated through
earned revenue and generous donations by individuals and local businesses.The City also
contributes approximately $0.5M per year for capital renewal.
REPORT:
The City of Kitchener, with assistance of ArtsBuild Ontario,is emphasizing stakeholder and
publicconsultationas it developsa refreshed mandate for the building known as Centre in the
Square.Representatives from ArtsBuildOntario will be in attendance on March 9 to provide
Council with an update on the progress of the project and discuss their intended approach to
The purpose of this Strategic Planning Session is to
finalizing their report for March 30.
provide feedback tothe consultants with respect to their approach to preparing the final
report for Council consideration on March 30, 2015.
The project began with a review of existing strategiesand legislationrelated to Centre in the
Square. This was followed by in-depth interviews and meetings with key stakeholders, board
members and senior staffat Centre in the Square, and across all organizations and partners
related to the use of the building. Stakeholders were then brought together for a half-day
workshop on November 27, 2014 at the Kitchener Public Librarymeeting spaces, with more
than sixty community leaders in attendance.
Invitation and representation at the stakeholder workshop included staff leadership, board
members and partners ofCentrein the Square (CITS), Kitchener Waterloo Symphony (KWS)
andKitchener Waterloo Art Gallery(KWAG). Also in attendance were users of the space,
renters, customers, subscribers, ticket-buyers, arts organizations, Kitchener Advisory
Committees, as well as Kitchener Mayor and Council. Performing arts leaders, past and
present, including Raffi Armenian, also attended the event. The session was facilitated to
establish themes to develop a City mandate for Centre in the Square, and to provide direction
for public consultation.
From the results of the stakeholder consultation and workshop, an onlinesurvey was
developed, and a robust media and promotion plan was implemented.
In preparation for the final report, the following discussion questions are suggested for Council
consideration after receiving the process update from the consulting team:
1.Beyond what the consultant has proposed to bring forward, what further information, if
any,is required by Council to formulate a final decision for the mandate on March 30
(i.e., to eliminate the potential for delay or deferral)?
2.For the final report on March 30, 2015, would two mandate options be preferred with or
without the recommendation of a preferred option by the consulting team?
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Quality of Life: The decisions and consultation for this mandate project supports a “community
that invests in…amenities such as…theatres.”It also acknowledges that art and culture is an
economic driver and central to a healthy community.It also contributes to community vitality by
offering superb performing arts centre in the Centre in the Square, internationally recognized
for its acoustic excellence and cultural expression in the community. It is a primary cultural
asset for the City of Kitchener, a home for the renowned Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery and
the stage for the renowned Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.
Development: Creative people live in creative communities, and the Centre in the Square, as a
pillar of the performing arts community with an international reputation, is an important
economic contributor and a significant ‘magnet’ for economic and community development.
Kitchener Economic Development Strategy: Performing arts inspire, provide meaningful ways
to bring people together, contribute to well-being, and help develop an innovative creative
economy. The Kitchener Economic Development Strategy also outlines cultural vitality as a
significant factor for innovation in a diverse creative local economy.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None at this time.The high-level financial implications of the mandate options under
consideration will be included with the presentation on March 30, 2015.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the
council / committee meeting.
CONSULT – STAKEHOLDERS
Throughout September and October staff met with Centre in the Square board and senior staff
to discuss the mandate review in detail. In November 2014, with the assistance of ArtsBuild
Ontario, a Stakeholder Workshop was held to obtain expert and stakeholder input. All staff,
board members, renters and numerous community groups, related tothe Centre in the Square
were invited, including Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, and Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery.
CONSULT – PUBLIC
Fromthe stakeholder session, themes emerged for consultation with the public. An online
survey was created and posted with circulation through social media, mailing lists from Centre
in the Square, its users and partners, including theKitchener Waterloo Art Gallery and the
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. The survey was promoted with media advisory, resulting in
four interviews in print and radio, including a radio call-in program. Online surveys were
complemented with print surveys, postcards distributed across the community. Additional
interview surveys were conducted at various events including the Kitchener Auditorium events,
The Kitchener Market and Centre in the Square locations.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Dan Chapman,DCAO
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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