HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-15 ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
MARCH 15,2022CITY OF KITCHENER
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee met virtually on March 15, 2022, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
PRESENT:All members present, except M.Melo andJ. Paquette
STAFF:E.Robson,Manager, Arts & Creative Industries
E. Rumble, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industriesjoined later
K. Varin, Program Assistant, Arts & Creative Industries
GUESTS:Lynne Short, Vice President, Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation
Susan Scott, Co-chair, Region of Waterloo Arts Fund
Lindsay Golds, Co-chair, Region of Waterloo Arts Fund
1.Acceptance of agenda
Mover: A. GrasseCarried
2.Declaration of conflict of interest
None
DELEGATION/PRESENTATIONS:
3.Grants for the arts and creative industries sector:L. Short
L. Short summarized how the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation is structured.It operates
based on investing funds and distributes grantsacross the region, including to artists in cities and
townships. One of the key grants for the creative industries sector is the community grant stream,
which in the past only supportedarts organizations. The pandemic required a review and pivoting
of the program to concentrate on post-pandemic recoveryfor both individuals and arts
organizations. Thisprogramwas supported by committee work with individuals from the community
that developed guidelines, application (with accessibility feature of voice recording) and an
evaluation. Wherever possible, the Foundation reachesout to individuals with expertise for input.
Asa result, theFoundation partnered with otherorganizationsto distribute grants to individual
artists.Thefirst grants under the new structure were administered in 2021.https://www.kwcf.ca/
4.Region of Waterloo Arts Fund:S. Scott and L. Golds
Currently the Fund is running a pilot of having two chairs to distribute the workload and to
th
encourage younger artists to volunteer to be part of the Board. It is in its 20year of existence.
The funding administered by the Fund is project-based, distributed to both emerging and
established artistsand organizations. Monies come from the Region and from the Good
Foundation. The Board evaluates the applications in addition to asking advisors at large –local
artists –to review. It is also undertaking an artist equitability and accessibility review with a
consultant. https://artsfund.ca/
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
5.Identifying needs to support funding discussion: members
Members reflected on their own experience with fundingandon the information heard from the
presenters, stating:
It is important to encourage artists applyingfor grants,to base any artist fees on CARFAC
guidelines
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ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
MARCH 15,2022CITY OF KITCHENER
Members remarked favourably on the voice recording option for applicants
Corporate support for artists in Waterloo Region is low: a social event where there is a
pitch competition by artists for funds,may be an idea worth exploring
6.Voting for the position of chair: members
I. Stefanescu is appointed Chairperson of the committee
J. Paquette is appointed Vice-Chairperson
INFORMATION ITEMS:
7.City Updates:E. Robson
City of Kitchener participated in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. This is a
partnership between Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard
Business School. It brings city leaders together to equip them with leadership skills and
management tools to tackle their cities’complex challenges. The City of Kitchener was
chosen to participate through the application stream of collaboration to strengthen cultural
development. This supports the ongoing work around the developmentof a new Culture
Plan by the city. The event saw 35 stakeholders from local arts and culture, folks from
Harvard and city officials discuss the importance of finding ways to work together to build
onexisting strengths. It was an opportunity to talk aboutthe drivers of culture, the existing
challenges and sharing different perspectives. Eight individuals from that group (4 city staff,
4 stakeholders) willparticipate in six weeks of additional workshops and a weeklong
intensive in New York to bring back solutions to the community. Staff will keep members
updated.
8.Downtown Action and Advisory Committee(DAAC):E. Robson
The city’s Events and Downtown teams,and the BIA shared theirvisionsfor animating the
downtown and the return of events.
9.Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC):I. Stefanescu
The meeting saw apresentation around tourism recovery post Covid, with a focus on arts
and culture as one of the drivers. Reference was made to an Economist article that looked
at the viewpoint of talent drawing business.
Action:I. Stefanescu to share a link to the article
10.Public Art Working Group (PAWG):A. Girard
The committeestarted a review of the city’s artist in residence program. Inter Arts Matrix
was a guest to present a proposal for a temporary public art installation.
11.Council report:Councilor D. Schnider
Council has been looking at a lot of planning applications. One area of discussion is how to
balance high rise construction without disruption to country boundaries.
12.Member updates:I. Stefanescu sharedupdates.
Themeeting was adjourned at 5:50p.m.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, April 19, at 4 p.m., Zoom.
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