HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-19 ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
APRIL19,2022CITY OF KITCHENER
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee met virtually on April 19, 2022, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
PRESENT:All members present, except P. Rojas
STAFF:E. Robson, Manager, Arts & Creative Industries
E. Rumble, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industries joined later
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:
None
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1.Bloomberg/Harvard Initiative Problem Statement discussion:E. Robson, members
E. Robson introduced the Bloomberg/Harvard City Leadership Initiative. This Initiative is a result of
a collaboration between the Bloomberg Foundation and Harvard Business School meant for
mayors and senior leaders to assist with a particular challenge to improve the lives of citizens. The
mayor of the city of Kitchener was selected to take part in the Initiative. He proposed to address
cultural challenges in our city and this proposal was chosen by the Initiative through the
Collaboration track. In total, ten cities across the world are participating each with a different
proposal concentrating on a particular challenge/problem. Eight representatives from each city will
engage in weeklong intensive workshops in New York. As part of this process, the Initiative sends
out a curriculum to participants that supports looking at different methodologies for problem
solving. The results ofthe discussions and solutions will inform the direction of the city’s Culture
Plan.
The problem statement identified by the city of Kitchener representatives is: why is it difficult for
cultural practitioners to create and thrive? Further, they identified key areas of focus:
1.Difficulty in accessing mentorship
2.There are factors inhibiting the community’s access to the arts
3.No centralized method for accessing space
4.City’s approach is not meeting the needs of all communities
5.The arts are not perceived as a valuable career
Members were asked to discuss if they agree or disagree with the identified problem, or would
they communicate the problem differently. This input will inform any adjustments needed. Here is a
summary of what members said:
Question summarizes the challenges well
Teaching the value of creative industries at primary and secondary levels, and teaching
business acumen at post-secondary level is important to instill the importance of culture
and arts for communities
April 19 2022 -ACAC Minutes 1
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
APRIL19,2022CITY OF KITCHENER
Perception of arts in the community needs to change: what is the advertising and marketing
plan to support creating value?
Supporting cross sectional teams: how do we encourage greater collaboration of different
art disciplines so they can generate greater revenue together?
Inequity to access resources stoodout including money, family support and business
support
Thinking about an overall strategy: we are all living in the same place so the whole
community should take ownership of creating a sense of place
E. Robson will share the outcomes of the weeklong conversation at the upcoming committee
meeting.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
2.City Updates: E. Rumble, K. Varin
E. Rumble shared:
The second round of Beasting is close to completion with 24 artists participating.
There will be a time lapse video released that highlights the creation of the artworks
mid May
Staff will be taking an interim report to management on 44 Gaukel Creative Hub
seeking guidance for the space moving forward
Currently the building has 85% occupancy with spaces gradually filling up
The second episode of Gauker will be released at the end of April (highlighting
artistic practice of the tenants occupying 44 Gaukel)
Working with the assistance of the legal services team, E. Rumble completed a
contract template to use when commissioning murals; staff will be actively looking
for partnering with other city departments to identify mural possibilities
K. Varin updated:
The deaccessioned sculpture Momentsreceived a bid on the auction site where it
was placed. Staff is awaiting confirmation for the purchase
The public artwork Canoein Victoria Park will receive landscape remediation in late
April. Prior, the artist will need to remediate one of the paddles as it was vandalized
by twisting it out of place
The call for the 2022 Artist in Residence is out; submissions will be juried by PAWG
in early June, and then presented for recommendation to ACAC
3.Downtown Action and Advisory Committee (DAAC):J. Paquette
As pandemic restrictions lift, larger events and smaller pop-up events are planned for the summer.
Some of these include the Blues Festival, Kidspark and the DTK music program. The DTK team is
relaunching these events under the Reconnect theme: Listen and Love, Out with Friends and
Active Together.
Tier 2 grants have been allocated to recipients.
4.Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC):I. Stefanescu
Ms. Stefanescu was not in attendance. She will update at the next meeting.
5.Public Art Working Group (PAWG):A. Girard
The committee continued to review the city’s artist in residence program.
April 19 2022 -ACAC Minutes 2
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
APRIL19,2022CITY OF KITCHENER
6.Council report:Councilor D. Schnider
The LovemyBusiness support program was launched. Its purpose is to assist DTK and suburban
businesses with reconnecting with customers. The façade grant program is back. In order to
support affordable housing, Council approved waiving development charges for non-profits.
7.Member updates:members to email any updates to K. Varin to share with committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, May 17, at 4 p.m., Zoom.
April 19 2022 -ACAC Minutes 3