HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts & Culture - 2016-11-15 Minutes
ARTS ANDCULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
NOVEMBER 15, 2016CITY OF KITCHENER
PRESENT:Mark Derro
Danielle Deveau
Shirley Madill
Eric Rumble
Kristy Smith
Sam Varteniuk
Linda Zensner
REGRETS: Wayne Addison
Judy Allred
D. Morton
Shantal Myers
Dave Schnider
Kate Swift
STAFF:Silvia DiDonato, Manager, Arts/Culture (from 4:45)
Emily Robson, Coordinator, Arts/Culture
Carrie Kozlowski, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER: Danielle Deveau
1.0Acceptance of agenda:reordered; accepted as amended.
2.0Declaration of conflict of interest: none.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.0Developing recommended areas of focus for ACAC 2017/2018: all
General comments:
Keep committee apprised of latest developments in the arts/culture sectorvia relevant
presentations;provide avenues for meaningful two-way communication.
Presentations on arts-related topics are most relevant and meaningful to the committee and
are the best use of presentation time.
Provide regular status updates on projects and developments to close the loop.
Rather than simply seeking recommendations of support from the committee, could ACAC
participate more actively, by providing specific advice or direction?
Consider implementing hour-long tours of relevant organizations/sites for the committee as
a regular agenda item, then conclude the meeting onsite by soliciting ACAC’s input on issues
relevant to that organization/site.
Create opportunities for ACAC to accomplish tasksand deliver something tangiblein addition
to the committee’s established advisory function.
Consider striking ad hoc ACAC subgroups of committee volunteers to complete tasks outside
of regular committee hours.
Have ACAC set one or two main ‘themes’for their term, to guide the committee’s focus.
Focus more deeply on fewer topics/themes. Establish concrete objectives/deliverables for
each topic for the committee to accomplish during the term.
Staff to help identify committee goals/objectives in alignment with departmentalwork plan.
ACAC to establish a set of values by which it evaluates and responds to presentations and
topics brought forward to the committee for consideration.
Suggested topics for consideration by next ACAC:
Space needs/creative hub. Could ACAC serve as an advisory body forcreative hub?
How to connect people and accessibly share information about arts/culture events and
activities in the region.
th
Kitchener’s plans for Canada’s 150in 2017.
November 2016-ACAC Minutes 1
ARTS ANDCULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
NOVEMBER 15, 2016CITY OF KITCHENER
4.0Creative Hub: all
A community engagement process was initiated in July 2016 to consult with creative
industries stakeholders and the community at large to explore and definethe concept of a
creative hub. Theestablishment of acreative hubis identified in the Make it Kitchener
Strategy. In addition to defining the Creative Hub, the stakeholder engagement activities
explored potential locations for the hub. Consideration was given to city and privately
owned buildings. This review included the assessment of the suitability of 48 Ontario Street
as a hub location.
Following a series of tours for the public and stakeholders of 48 Ontario Street and three
stakeholder consultation sessions, Staff will take a report forward to committee of Council
on December 5 providing analysis, conclusions and recommended options for a creative hub.
Acreative hub has been a topic of interest in the arts community for 15 years.
Reportto include analysis of possible locations, the creative sector and stakeholder input.
What is a creative hub? Affordable space for arts/creative industries, operating on a cost
recovery model in a central, city-owned facility, part of a well-connected network of related
facilities. 40,000 sq ft has been identified as needed.
In addition to 48 Ontario St. (the space initially considered), other locations were also
analyzed, based on a set of criteriaestablished for this task. 44 Gaukel St. and 48 Ontario
St.emerged as top city-owned options, each with its own pros and cons (including
renovation costs, potential for long-term community-use, timelines, etc).
The committee discussed the various locations, combinations thereof, scenarios and their
potential impact.
ACAC comments:
After the tours and stakeholder consultation sessions considering 48 Ontario St. as a
potential arts hub location, the community expects that the report will include related
analysis, conclusions and recommendations on this location; if not, the community will be
frustrated. There is community interest in 48 Ontario as a creative hub.
For either location, the report should clearly specify a minimum % of space to be
immediately dedicated to arts uses, working towards 100% within a specified timeline.
If neither location is deemed suitable for a creative hub, then the proceeds from the sale of
eitherbuildingshould be allocated to the establishment of a creative hub.
Any future RFP should require the creation of an environment where co-located
arts/technology enterprises are encouraged to collaborate and find synergies.
PRESENTATION
5.0Neighbourhood Strategy Update: Darren Kropf, Neighbourhood Strategy Engagement Associate
Purpose of today’s presentation: to release draft recommendations arising from the
Neighbourhood Strategy, and to gather input on appropriate priority rankings for the 18
recommendations therein.
Now sharing the recommendations with all advisory committees and the public prior to
presentation to Council in early 2017.
Vision: the strategy will help neighbours connect and work together to do great things in
their neighbourhoods.
Characteristics of great neighbourhoods: safe, accessible, connected, inclusive, diverse,
engaged and resilient.
Three recommended areas of focus (themes) emerged: Great Places-do-it-yourself projects
for making multi-use gathering places that everyone can enjoy together; Connected People-
Strengthen relationships between neighbours by bringing people together; Working
Together-Encourage collaboration and build capacity to create positive change in our
neighbourhoods.
November 2016-ACAC Minutes 2
ARTS ANDCULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
NOVEMBER 15, 2016CITY OF KITCHENER
The three themes encompass 18 recommendations that address what will be done to realize
the themes.
The greatest opportunity for collaboration between the Neighbourhood Strategy and ACAC is
placemaking.
Funding opportunities include the Neighbourhood Matching Fund Grant and the Placemaking
Challenge event.
The committee split into two groups to undertake an exercise to prioritize the
recommendations, through the ‘Arts/Culture’ lens. This feedback will assist with
development of an implementation plan and final prioritization of recommendations.
ACAC Comments:
Focused on the recommendations that make art happenand paying artists.
Also prioritized activities with the biggest anticipated impact, and activities which would
make funds and resources available.
ACTION: members are invited to complete the recommendation prioritization exercise on-line as
individuals if they wish to share their personal perspective.
INFORMATION ITEMS
6.0Council Report: no update in Councillor Schnider’s absence
7.0City Updates: Silvia DiDonato
December 5: Creative Hub staff report goes forward to Planning and Strategic Initiatives
Committee. ACAC members are invited to attend.
November 25: cut-off date for ACAC to send comments about the report to staff.
November 28: Capital budget presentation to Council. Includes allocations to assist the arts
and creative sector.
8.0Public Art Working Group (PAWG) update:Shirley Madill
On a motion made by LindaZensner, seconded by EricRumble:
That Julie Sperling beappointed City of Kitchener’s 2017 Artist in Residence.
MOTION CARRIED
Discussion
PAWG met on Monday, November 14 to select the city’s 2017 Artist in Residence from the 12
proposals received.
Open to many disciplines.
Julie Sperling proposes to engage the community in a dialogue about climate change action
using a series of mosaics, each depicting one practical solution that individuals can take to
help make Kitchener more climate-friendly and resilient. Residents will have the opportunity
to create a small modular mosaic symbolizing their commitment to take one action to
reduce their climate impact. These community-made pieces will then be used to create a
large mosaic to be presented in a final exhibition representing our city’s intent to act on
climate change.
PAWG’s recommendation is based on the strengths of Julie Sperling’s proposal, in particular,
opportunities for the artist to actively lead a meaningful dialogue and engage community
members in a creative projectwith a relevant and forward-looking environmental theme
with the potential to culminate in a collaborative creation of a visually stunning expression
of our city’s commitment to environmental change.
9.0Downtown Action and Advisory Committee (DAAC) update:Linda Zensner
DAAC received the Neighbourhood strategypresentation and brainstormed items for the
committee’s next work plan.
November 2016-ACAC Minutes 3
ARTS ANDCULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
NOVEMBER 15, 2016CITY OF KITCHENER
10.0Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) update: no update in Shantal Myers’
absence
11.0Members’ updates:
Conestoga College has approval to offer 22 new programs, including a diploma in
administration, user experience, and interaction design.
Night\\Shift 2016 Placehacking Festival animated downtown Kitchener with art installations
November 1-5.
Registry Theatre: Tale of Peter Rabbit runs December 1-4.
ADJOURNMENT: The chair adjourned the meeting at 6:03p.m.
This meeting concludes ACAC’s current term.
November 2016-ACAC Minutes 4