HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-18 ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
JANUARY 18,2022CITY OF KITCHENER
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee met virtually on Zoom on January 18, 2022, commencing at
4:00 p.m.
PRESENT:All members present, except M.A. Brotian,M. Melo,and Councilor D. Schnider
STAFF:E.Robson,Manager, Arts & Creative Industries
E. Rumble, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industries
K. Varin, Program Assistant, Arts & Creative Industries
GUESTS:None
1.Acceptance of agenda
Mover: C. AnjariaCarried
2.Declaration of conflict of interest
None
DELEGATION/PRESENTATIONS:
3.None
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
4.2021 Recap andwhat’s next: K.Varin & members
The following workplan topics were discussed in 2021:
Sectoral impact of the pandemic & recovery strategies & framework
Affordable spaces for creatives; tax class
Street Art/Graffiti Wall & it’s role in placemaking in our city
Artist in Residence program
Role of monuments
The following were on the list, but have not yet been discussed:
Granting/Funding available for arts & culture at the city &the region
Culture plan past & future: what was accomplished? What is next? Defining culture
Expanding opportunities for outdoor exhibitions/venues for local talent
A&C Resources Handbook including film
Members had an opportunity to talk about and respondto these questions in smaller group
discussions:
1.What in your opinion was the most relevant or important topic the committee explored in
2021?
2.Are there any topics that you would like to further explore or add to the 2022 workplan?
These are some of the key points sharedby members:
Artist in Residence program:
o Interest expressed for continuing to re-evaluate the program: continue talkingabout
outcomes andopportunities, how to expandthe pool of contributing artists to be
more inclusive,and ifpartnerships such as the one with Textile Magazineare
valuable.
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ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
JANUARY 18,2022CITY OF KITCHENER
Public Art:
o Interest expressed in conversation about how the city approachesconservation,
restoration, and criteria for public art commissions.
o Interest expressed in talkingabout expanding the options for outdoor exhibitions
andopportunities for intervention with different materials (short term).
o Liked talking about a graffiti wall;would support making it a reality.
o The Survival Garden and the McClennan Park artwork and deaccession process
was interesting and educational.
Role of monuments:
o There are different points of viewandstrong opposite opinionson their relevance
and interpretation thus this topicshould be includedin 2022 meetings.
Grants & funding reform:
o How can budget for the arts be increased with distributionto more people?
o Interest was expressed about updates and more information on changing the tax
class and funding from the Region.
Affordable space
o Continue to speak about at future meetings.
Other comments:
o There is some sense that discussions at the committee level haven’t resulted in
actions that support the arts sector in greater capacity.
o Excited to talk and focus on the new Culture Plan as it helps to give direction.
o Appreciated having the opportunity to discuss recommendations brought forth by
staff.
o More structured discussion for certain topicsisneeded.
5.Culture Plan introduction: E. Robson & members
E. Robsongave a brief presentation howstaff is working on the next city of Kitchener Culture Plan
to identify common goals first through discussions with city of Waterloo, city of Cambridge and the
Region. This regional approach is supported by the fact that many of the stakeholders across the
region are the same. This would then inform individual development of city/region individualculture
plans,based on needs specific to each partner. Staff asked committee membersin small group
discussions:What considerations are important when approaching culture regionally?
Key items noted:
Regional approach to cultural planning conceptually makes sense as there are no cultural
boundariesbut can be faced with challenges.
Consultations are the most important thing; however,people are tired of consultation, and
there seems to be a perceived lack of support for the infrastructure or concepts proposed
by consultants.
Strong opinions andideas will most likely be brought forward:isolating the most important
issues with four municipal bodies involved may bereally challenging.
It would support unification in terms ofresources, cultural communications and marketing
basedifshared valuesare identified.
Multi-cultural community inclusion, breaking down silos, reaching groups which work in
greater isolation,and collaboration is importantin culture planning, imperative to the
cultural vitality of thisregion.
Financing, space availability, shared resources should be more accessible from combined
municipal bodies.
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ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
JANUARY 18,2022CITY OF KITCHENER
Think regionally, but also recognize that art is hyper-local too.
Find agrassrootsand a project-based approach.
Consider streamliningthe application process for fundsin the culture plan.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
6.City Updates:K. Varin
The public artwork Moments has been deaccessioned and successfully removed from
McLennan Park and temporarily placed in storage. Arts and Creative Industries staff will
work with Procurement on sharing with the public the opportunity to purchase the work.
Theteninterviewsfrom the Bonn Park Podcast series honouring the 25th anniversary of
the Artist in Residence program and the work of past artists are being released weekly. All
interviews willbeavailable here: www.bonnparkpodcast.libsyn.com
. A&C staff has begun
work with the Homer Watson House Gallery on administering the exhibition scheduled to
open this August to further commemorate this anniversary and the artists.
7.Downtown Action and Advisory Committee(DAAC):J. Paquette
Will update at the February meeting.
8.Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC):I. Stefanescu
Will update at the February meeting.
9.Public Art Working Group (PAWG):A. Girard
TheExecutive Director of the Guelph Arts Council(GAC) and PAWG member,outlined the
journey and timeline towards establishing an Artist-in-Residence pilot program offered by
GACin partnership with 10C Shared Spacewith a focus on Indigenous voices.Members
also gave their feedback on the timeline and wordingforthecity of Kitchener2022 AIR call
for proposals(partnership with Textile Magazine) andbegan a re-evaluation of the program
itself.
10.Council report:Councilor D. Schnider
Council D. Schnider was not in attendance.
11.Member updates:I. Stefanescu sharedupdates.
Themeeting was adjourned at 5:36p.m.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, February 15, at 4 p.m., Zoom.
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