HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-16 ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
NOVEMBER 16, 2021CITY OF KITCHENER
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee met virtually on Zoom on November 16, 2021, commencing at
4:00 p.m.
PRESENT:All members present, except M.A. Brotianand M. Melo
STAFF:E.Robson,Manager, Arts & Creative Industries
K. Varin, Program Assistant, Arts & Creative Industries
GUESTS:None
1.Acceptance of agenda
Accepted
2.Declaration of conflict of interest
None
DELEGATION/PRESENTATIONS:
3.None
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
4.2022 Artist in Residence proposedpilotpartnership with Textile Magazine: K. Varin
K. Varin refreshedthe goals, responsibilities, and vision of thepilotpartnership. An information
report will be taken to Council in December. Members were asked for feedback to include in the
report. They also sharedgeneral comments about the residency program.Some of the key points
communicatedby members were:
Clarify in the partnership proposal how this will impact the length of theresidency:willit
remain as a one-year residency?
This is a good opportunity to partner with a fledgingarts organization, not just to add value
to the residency program but also to recognize the contribution of themagazine to the local
literary arts.
This pilot program can also serve as anopportunity to re-evaluate the program: its
purpose, processes, values,and community involvement.
5.Interpretation and Role of Historical Monuments inContemporary public art: E.Robson
E. Robsonspoke about the acts of social intervention with respect to the Queen Victoria statue
this past summer. The work is part of the city’s public art collection. The city isengaged in
conversations about the role of historical monuments and plaquesand consideringhow to address
the legacy of colonialism.Thus, members were asked about important pointsto consider in this
conversationand their viewon the topic.Members said:
Establish ways to create a meaningful conversation that includes many perspectives.
Include signage that communicates this conversation.
History should not be erased or ignored,which the removal of monuments may symbolize.
Some questions to consider:
How does one recontextualizethestories ofexisting monuments?
How can civic spaces and public artwork represent thevariousstories ofthe
community?
November2021-ACAC Minutes 1
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
NOVEMBER 16, 2021CITY OF KITCHENER
Who is represented by these stories and these monuments?
Action Item:members recommended to continue the discussion in upcoming meetings.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
6.City Updates:K. Varin
Theremoval of public artwork Momentsfrom McLennanPark and adding a deaccession
clause to the public art policy has been approved by the Standing Committee. Once the
decision is ratified by Council, staff will work with Procurement on the methods of
disposition prioritizing keeping the work in the public domain.
7.Downtown Action and Advisory Committee(DAAC):J. Paquette
Members walked the streets surrounding the Kitchener Market to identify methods to
support improvedpromotionof the market to encourage morevisitors. They advised to
include more signage on adjacent streets, consider better identification of the main
entrance, to consider activating the outsideandplacingmore public artin the vicinity.
8.Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC):E. Robson in lieu of I. Stefanescu
The committee continued to discuss vaccine passports,spoke about affordable housing
projects and the Digital Main Street grant process.
9.Public Art Working Group (PAWG):A. Girard
The committee discussed the details of the Textile Magazine partnership for the 2022 Artist
in Residence. It supported proceeding with the pilot partnership highlighting the needto
consider what the evaluation process will be and how the partnership sits in the larger
strategy when thinking ofthe residency. Members also discussed the acts of social
intervention on the statue of Queen Victoria. They suggested that signage is important and
who contributes to the conversation and to thesestoriestold by the monuments.
10.Council report:Councilor D. Schnider
Council is deliberatingover the 2022 budget.A survey is available to citizens on Engage
Kitchener to contribute feedback to consider fornext year’s budget.
11.Member updates:P. Rojas. I. Stefanescu and H. Polad provided updates
Themeeting was adjourned at 5:40p.m.
NEXT MEETING: TBD
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