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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-16 ACAC Minutes 1 Arts and Culture Advisory Committee April 16, 2024, 4:00 p.m. Pipe Room - 6th Floor City Hall City of Kitchener 200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 407 Present: M. Melo, Member M. Lam, Chair B. Reid, Member A. Girard, Vice-Chair I. Stefanescu, Member O. Ajibade, Member J. Hall, Member Staff: K. Varin, Committee Administrator, Arts & Creative Industries E. Rumble, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industries B. Egan, Film & Music Officer, Arts & Creative Industries J. Dueck, Director, Culture & Entertainment A. Hallam, Manager, Arts & Creative Industries _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Commencement 1.1 Acceptance of Agenda Approved by M. Melo, seconded, B. Reid. 1.2 Acceptance of March minutes Approved by A. Girard, seconded by B. Reid. 1.3 Introductions: members & staff All members and guest made short introductions. 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof None. 3. Delegations 2 3.1 Regional film industry development: Angela Onuora, filmmaker Ms. Onuora is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Nigeria. She is the Co- founder and Artistic Director of Studio D20, a women’s filmmakers creative collective. She is proposing the establishment of a filmmaking hub in the Region with the overreaching goal of supporting local filmmakers, especially underrepresented and independent filmmakers. The Studio D20 Hub would be an integrated film production studio, virtual production facility, and innovation hub. Ms. Onuora argued that such a hub would:  Connect Waterloo Region to Toronto's $3 billion film production scene  Leverage local creatives and advanced technology  Boost economic growth and innovation The objectives of the hub would be to:  Nurture local talent by providing resources, training, and mentorship  Cultivate innovation by serving as a center for experimentation and innovation in film production technique  Foster collaboration by facilitating partnerships between industry professionals, academia, and government agencies  Boost economic growth by generating employment opportunities, attracting investments, and stimulating the local economy by establishing a sustainable film production industry She envisions the hub to have the following components:  a state of the art Film Production Studio  a Virtual Production Facility incorporating cutting-edge technology  an Innovation Hub providing co-working spaces, screening rooms, editing suites, and access to industry experts, mentors, and funding opportunities  an Education & Training Centre offering workshops, seminars, courses, and hands-on training programs The implementation of the Hub, would be a three phase process. The first phase would see:  conducting a feasibility study for market research 3  establishing strategic partnerships for funding  designing and constructing an integrated facility The second phase would see:  acquiring technology and equipment and building infrastructure including leveraging industry partnerships  creating talent development programs by developing curricula, recruiting instructors, and establishing partnerships with industry professionals  creating a targeted marketing and outreach campaign And the third:  engaging experienced team for operations and management  monitoring key metrics for evaluation and enhancements Ms. Onuora is in the early stage of planning and is hoping to begin a feasibility study that she would present to the city. She has connected with local filmmakers and Arts Build Ontario. B. Egan noted that it is challenging to attract unionized filmmakers to the area due to additional costs of production. 4. Discussion Items 4.1 Culture and Entertainment vision: Jeremy Dueck, Director, Culture & Entertainment, Economic Development J. Dueck shared the draft version of the Culture and Entertainment vision statement and values: Vision We believe in building a culture & entertainment scene in Kitchener that develops from within, creates sustainability in the sector, celebrates differences, and inspires the community to invest and participate. Core values Layer in Local Transparency Equitable & Accessible Infrastructure He welcomed feedback and staff will follow up once the details and initiatives outlined are finalized and approved. A. Girard commented that considering the creation of a focused marketing team may be of benefit for the new sub team as 4 those needs are specific to the creative industry and may differ from a broader corporate focus. M. Lam acknowledged that the vision echoes many of the priorities and needs identified in ACAC discussions. Committee members requested an update on the venue consultation report, Environics survey results and Bloomberg initiative synopsis. Action: updates on these items to be share at next meetings by staff. 4.2 Workplan approval: Margaret Lam, chair, ACAC Motion to approve the workplan, moved by M. Melo and seconded by B. Reid. Carried. 5. Information Items 5.1 Standing city updates: staff B. Egan shared that several large events and a summer series have created about 30 performance opportunities for local, young and diverse musicians. Alongside other music officers, he has been able to co-establish an equitable pay medium for musicians. He is working on finding a local location for an Apple Film production. E. Rumble updated that the first phase of the Mill Courtland Community Centre call for public art proposals has launched. He has placed a call out for jurors. He is also working with city staff on the details that would support the call for public art proposals for the Schlegel Park development. The artist talk series at 44 Gaukel will see its first three artists in May, June and July. The next three will happen in the fall. The talks will take place on May 8th with Sandra Dunn, on June 5th with Carol Bradley and on July 3rd with Sharl Smith. These are free and open to the public. With the help of the A&CI team, A. Hallam is thinking of metrics to include in the Arts Strategy. Centre in the Square has a new Executive Director, Eric Lariviere. Greg Henderson remains the booking manager. 5.2 Downtown Action and Advisory Committee: Annabelle Girard K. Skelton from the Downtown team presented on past events and plans for this year's events which will include animating the Gaukel Block again. The BIA is in the process of switching the murals that are part of their DTK walk and will be producing a new booklet both online and in print for the walk. 5.3 Economic Advisory Committee: Margaret Lam, Jeffrey Paquette 5 J. Brown, city of Kitchener Economic Development Analyst, shared the community engagement process, key findings recorded from stakeholders and the next steps in the development of the Bramm Yards Master Plan, with a special acknowledgement to ACAC's input during community feedback. Communitech will be presenting on the partnership renewal at the April meeting. 5.4 Public Art Working Group: Brenda Reid The call for expressions of interest in the Mill Courtland Community Centre public art opportunity is posted with an increased budget. A new opportunity for one or several public art installations is identified through the Schlegel Park's construction project. Staff responsible for managing the park’s facility construction project will be presenting to PAWG during the May meeting. K. Varin added that PAWG discussed the proposal from staff for a 2024 Artist in Residence and plans for review of the program over the next two years. 5.5 Council report: Councillor Dave Schneider Not in attendance. 5.6 Member updates A. Girard shared updates. 6. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.