HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts & Culture - 2016-05-17 Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
MAY 17, 2016CITY OF KITCHENER
PRESENT:Danielle Deveau
Shantal Myers
Eric Rumble
Dave Schnider
Sam Varteniuk
Linda Zensner
Judy Allred
D. Morton
Kate Swift
REGRETS:Wayne Addison
Mark Derro
Shirley Madill
Kristy Smith
STAFF:Silvia DiDonato, Manager, Arts/Culture
Emily Robson,Coordinator, Arts/Culture
Jenn Grein, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER:Danielle Deveau
1.0Acceptance of agenda: Agenda accepted as circulated.
2.0Declaration of conflict of interest: none.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.0Arts Action Plan:All
Areport will goforwardto Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee of Council on May 30
regarding the future of 48 Ontario Street North and how it may or may not serve arts space
needs.
Staff seeks ACAC’s input on services for the arts and culture community, in particularhow
this building could be a potential opportunity and how it might fit into the arts community.
Staff provided a brief outline of the location and potential use of the space, including an
informal open space on the second floor that could be used for rehearsals/performances.
Financial information on preparing this space is currently an unknown. Additional
information will be prepared by Facilities Management.
The property does not currently have a Heritage designation, but it is listed on the Municipal
Heritage Register. If considered for sale, demolition or significant change, the Heritage
designation will be initiated.
The structure was built for Bell Telephonein 1914. Then it was used for employment of
veterans before it became a Legion Hall.
The committee discussed other similar projects/properties in Toronto including 401
Richmond and 215 Spadina. These art-focused properties were not initiated by the Cityof
Toronto, but rather developed through local philanthropywithmunicipal partnership.
Commercial tenancy is an option. Performance space could be licensed which would assist
with funding.
Next steps include community engagement. The arts community will be engaged in this
process to ensure the space will be designed for and used by artists, providing an effective
resource to this community. All ideas for use of this space will be welcome through the
community engagement process, with the goal of narrowing down several options for further
consideration.
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May2016-ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
MAY 17, 2016CITY OF KITCHENER
Staff outlined three options currentlyin consideration:
Sell the building and use the funds for arts and culture at another location;
o
Retain the building and use it for arts and culture; or
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Sell the building and lease space for arts and culture.
o
As part of the community engagement process over the summer, scheduled tours will be
available to advisory committees, interested organizations and the public. Tours will be
restricted to very small groups and scheduled in advance. ACAC comments on the consultation
process:
Include the community in the consultation process so that thespaceis an effective resource.
Avoid town hall meetings andrehashing issues that frequently surface.
Acknowledge the community’s entrepreneurs and allow them to provide options and assist
with development of a business plan.
Ensure that the space is accessible to all and that it is a collaborative project in the arts and
culture community.
Consider a management model that will ensure all interested arts and culture groupsare
accommodated anddevelop metrics to measure progress.
‘Mentorship’ and ‘catalyst’ are more accurate adjectives for the goals of the space, versus
‘incubator’or ‘accelerator’. This type of support is seen in the tech sector, and it would be
beneficial to the arts and culture community as well. Such support could assist groups in
moving to the next level, thriving in the local environment, and achieving success in many
aspects, beyond bottom line financialmetrics.
Question: isthere a scenario where this building might not meet the needs of the arts and
culture community? While 48 Ontario offers a good location, lots of potential and heritage
featureswhich are a good fit for potential use, a significant amount of resources could be
spent on development of the space. Is there a better opportunity for these funds?
Question: what are the risks of the private sector being invited to submit proposals on the
space? Private sector investment might generate additional funding, but there is a risk that
a private sector owner could sell or move on from arts uses. If the city is responsible for the
ongoing maintenance and ownership of the property, then occupancy would be met and
options considered moving forward. Perhaps an existing organization could arrange lease(s)
of this space.
ACAC feels that projects supported by the city are more likely to achieve success and grow.
Additional stakeholders to consult include:local philanthropists, youth groups, and
additional groups identified by the Downtown Action Advisory Committee.
ACTION: ACAC members to send further comments to staff in advance of May 30 report to
committee of Council.
ACTION: ACAC to tour 48 Ontario St. N. at a future meeting.
INFORMATION ITEMS
4.0City Updates: Silvia DiDonato
Business of Song event on Tuesday, May 16 has 145 registrations,additional walk-ins are
welcome!Registration and networkingfrom 6-7:00with light snacks, 7-8:00expert panel
discussionfollowed by8-9:00question &answer period. Dan Hillwill provide a short
performance then talk about his writing process and industry experience. This event will be
followed by an open jam at a downtown restaurant.
5.0Public Art Working Group (PAWG) update:Judy Allred
Delegation by Gordon Hattof CAFKA: Gordon provided an overview of CAFKA 2016
(Contemporary Art Forum of Kitchener and Area), which runs from May 28 to June 26
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May2016-ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
MAY 17, 2016CITY OF KITCHENER
Presentation by Facilities Management staff: Staff provided an overview of the city hall
outdoor spaces master-planning project, in particular, in the context of public art.
Discussion of Artist in Residence Program Planning: Committee considered the value of the
program and why it’s important to the city.
There are three opportunities for PAWG members to participate on selection committees:
Regional Light Rail Transit Public Art Project, Bridgeport Community Centre PublicArt
project, and Neighbourhood Matching Fund Grant ad hoc review committee.
Sarah Granskou 2016 Artist in Residence provided an update on her project. Events are now
in progress where she and her volunteers demonstrate and engage the community in creating
felted leaves for the large tree marionette she will make as part of her residency.
6.0Downtown Action and Advisory Committee (DAAC) update:Linda Zensner
Emily and Silviapresented information on 44 OntarioStreet. Tina Malone Wright, Senior
Planner,provided information on Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS).Facilities
Management presented the city hall outdoor spaces master-planning project. Hilary Abel
provided an overview of downtown liveprogramming for 2016 including lots of music, amid-
week urban market, yoga in park, Summer Lights, and other festivals.
7.0Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) update: Shantal Myers
The committee welcomed Tony LaMantiafrom the Waterloo Region Economic Development
Corporation, who provided a summary of a recent mission, with local mayors, to Silicon
Valley in San Francisco. Janette MacDonaldprovided an overview on Make it Kitchener, and
Valerie Bradford provided an overview on the Manufacturing Innovation Network.
8.0Council Report: Dave Schnider
The second floor of 44 Gaukel will be available for useas an artsspace.
9.0Members’ updates
Registry Theatre: The recent performance of Charlotte’s Web at SteckleHeritage Farm was
very successful and very community driven. They have indicated they would like to host
additional shows in the future. Upcoming events include: Yellow Wallpaper, John Tank’s All
Start Jazz Quintet, Safe As Houses, as well as the Practical Playwriting workshop with David
Copelin at Victoria Park Pavilion.
Emily recently shared information via email on Space Finder Waterloo Region. They are
looking for vendors who rent space and are encouraging them to sign up and list this space.
Arts Build Ontario is able to assist these groups with online postings.
Emily is also working to advance the arts and culture space at 44 Gaukel. She is developing a
financial model, and when ready, will host an open house for members of the community.
Please share with your networks.
ADJOURNMENT: The chair adjourned the meeting at 5:36p.m.
NEXT MEETING:June 21, 2016, 4:00 p.m., Conestoga Room, ground floor, Kitchener city hall
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May2016-ACAC Minutes