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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-19 ACAC Minutes ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2019CITY OF KITCHENER In lieu of the regular September meeting, the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee met on September 19, 2019, at the all committee meeting at the invitation of the City of Cambridge. The meeting was held in the Grand Innovations Building, Cambridge, commencing at 5:00 p.m.The following are minutes forwarded by city of Cambridge. PRESENT:All members present, except L. Thompson, M. Blunt, S. Johnston, A. Francis, P. Downey, A. Grasse, S. Madill, Councilor D. Schnider STAFF:E. Robson, Program Assistant, Arts & Creative Industries K.Varin, Program Assistant, Arts & Creative Industries Round Table Introductions Renovation Update: GasLight District, HIP Development Presentations 1.Kitchener: Working towards providing creative and cultural spaces for artists to showcase their work. Importance of developing a Cultural Plan for the City Discussed property tax assessment and how it has increased in last 6 years and trying to find waysto decrease this burden to artists. City owned buildings are being looked at to renovate for affordable studio spaces for October 2019 Plan to launch film, music, and interactive media office to develop these areas in the City - possible hire of someone to take the initiative and further develop this project. Continue to work on the cultural plan to help shape the cultural landscape Working with Economic Development to increase exposure to the arts, festivals, etc. – expecting to have the consultation anda cultural plan completed by the first half of 2020. Trying to find a new approach to old programs within a suitable timeline. 2.Waterloo: Discussed the Advisory Committee on Culture mandate City of Waterloo Culture Plan –10 year plan –halfway completed Culture Plan goals -37 recommendations were made which included: Clarify role of the City of Waterloo Provide a road map for decision making and investment Find objective waysto measure success Currently the plan is 78% completed and ongoing –3% underway –19% not yet recorded or reviewed Culture Plan can be accessed on the City of Waterloo website Some key successes of the Culture Plan included: Development of a public art policy and public art subcommittee Informal recognition program for artists toshow appreciation for all they doin the community Increased the number of champions within the City of Waterloo September2019-ACAC Minutes 1 ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2019CITY OF KITCHENER Expanded opportunities for artists (paid work) Creation of an annual “Amplify Culture Summit” Improved promotion and awareness of Waterloo’s cultural assets through Create Waterloo 3.Region of Waterloo Working on a Culture Plan from 2002 –Objective: Enhance arts, culture and heritage opportunities to enrich lives Looking at putting together an Arts and Culture Plan with the following objectives: Putting together a committee to identify challenges Creating a task force to assess and resolve each complex problem Implementation –put approaches in places, build on connections, finding solutions to change the way the sector operates Discussion followed regarding allocation of art funds to various groups Plan to reach out to the 4 townships for proposals WRAF Accepting applications for grant requests Will partner with municipalities to review cultural planning by pooling resources that covers the Region through research Anyone can visit the Region of Waterloo website for the arts funds 4.Cambridge Discussion on the Arts and Culture Master Plan and the need to revitalize it so that recommendations can be made to Council Arts and Culture Planto include goals, initiatives and actions taken each year Committee to increase its membership to include a greater variety of groups in the community Recommendations of the current plan that are completed include: Hamilton Family Theatre opened in March 2013 Downtown revitalization –Galt and Hespeler underwent streetscaping to encourage pedestrian traffic Special Event review -3 year process where support has been spread to a greater number of events Endowment Fund for Arts and Culture –“Arts Connect” formed in 2013 with 7 fundraising events to date –raised $80,000 –proceeds given to 34 Cambridge artists and groups – rotates yearly –offers good promotion to artists and theatre groups Moving forward plan to include taking an active role in developing a stronger and more diverse Arts and Culture community Discussion after presentations: Attendance problems with the committees and finding ways to improve this Having less designated seats was a unanimous option, enforce terms of commitment with all members Getting the public more involved by being proactive –have a steering committee go out to talk to groups and artists about ideas they have in making Arts and Culture stronger in the community Using social media as a tool to promote the arts September2019-ACAC Minutes 2 ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2019CITY OF KITCHENER HelenChimirri-Russell to come talk to each area of the Region to collaborate ideas Have an artist social night Initiatives for affordable living for artists to continue living in the Region –getting too expensive Getting more youth representation on the committees will give a modern perspective on ideas and strategies for implementation The meeting was adjourned at 7:30p.m. NEXT MEETING: TuesdayOctober 15, 2019, 4:00 p.m., Conestoga Room, City Hall September2019-ACAC Minutes 3