HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-20 ACAC Minutes
ARTS ANDCULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2021CITY OF KITCHENER
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee met virtually onApril20,2021, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
PRESENT:All members present, except M. Blunt, P. Rojas, M.A. Brotian, M. Melo
STAFF:E. Robson, Manager, Arts & Creative Industries
C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development
E. Rumble,Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industries
K. Varin, Program Assistant, Arts & Creative Industries
1.Acceptance of agenda
With change of presenter for item number five: C. Bluhm to present.
Mover:C. AnjariaCarried
2.Declaration of conflict of interest
None
3.Delegation
None
PRESENTATIONS:
4.Survivor Garden public artwork donation: K. Varin
A Kitchener citizen brought the idea of creating a survivor garden in Victoria Park to
Council in 2019. He has partnered with Gateman Milloy to realize the design. The capital
cost of the whole project is being donated by them, and part of the design is a public
artwork reflecting the theme. The artwork–a sculpture -will also be donated, but the
project team is seeking to have it included in the city’s public art collection. K. Varin briefly
spoke about the design of the garden space,the selection process and criteria for the
artwork.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
5.COVID Recovery intervention discussion follow-up:C. Bluhm
C. Bluhm shared some of the details of the proposed economic recovery framework
included in the Make It Kitchener 2.0 -the new economic development strategy. If the
framework is to be approved by Council, it would see $5 million in total to support recovery
and include a$1 million seed fund to directly support businesses. The City’s economic
recovery approach focuses on two main opportunities: to unleash our community’sspirit
and spending powerand to accelerate a new wave of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Key for ACACmembers is to consider how to the some of the funds can be allocated to
support initiatives/artists/cultural organizations to bring the city to life as it recovers from the
impact of the pandemic. C. Bluhm encouraged members to start thinking of ideas toshare.
ActionItem: Staff toshare link to the full recovery framework.
April2021-ACAC Minutes 1
ARTS ANDCULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2021CITY OF KITCHENER
6.Committee priorities and action plan:all
E. Robson identified the key themes to guide the committee’s action plan as concluded in
last month’s discussion: communications, affordability and resources. The members
dispersed into smaller groups to talk about what kind of information is needed to begin
working on each topicor any other ideas. This is what was identified:
Communications
Looking at past artist directories to inform the creation of a new one; virtual format
Tourism commission: how are artists being represented
What platforms are useful now,outside of the Covid scenario
Affordability
How affordability is related to housing:need to learn more about the housing
agenda
Need to familiarize Council with how art spaces function and how artists work
What does affordability mean to arts and culture sector?
Resources
Website for the arts
Need to understand what type of funding and tools areavailable
More outdoor events
INFORMATION ITEMS:
7.City updates:staff
None.
8.Downtown Action and Advisory Committee:J. Paquette
The BIA is working on adding work to the downtown artwork and updating the art walk
guide to bring people downtown.
9.Economic Development Advisory Committee:I. Stefanescu
The discussion centered around recovery plans. Other items: property tax deferrals,Digital
Main Street program, more spaces for performing arts, an idea of an events portal, grants
to support new programs and a Shop Local program.
10.Public Art Working Group:K. Varin
Behnaz Fatemi, the 2020 Artist in Residence gave a presentation about her residency. A
discussion followed about the future of the program and partnering with an organization or
selecting an artist by invitation for the 2021 residency. E. Rumble gave an update of The
Beasting: a program running out of 44 Gaukel art space.
11.Council report:Councilor D. Schnider
No updates.
Themeeting was adjourned at 5:55p.m.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, May 18, 4:00 p.m.,Zoom.
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