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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-6-18 ACAC Minutes 1 Arts and Culture Advisory Committee June 18, 2024, 4:00 p.m. Pipe Room - 6th Floor City Hall City of Kitchener 200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 407 Present: M. Lam, Chair B. Reid, Member A. Girard, Vice Chair I. Stefanescu, Member O. Ajibade, Member J. Hall, Member Staff: K. Varin, Committee Administrator E. Rumble, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industry A. Hallam, Manager, Arts & Creative Industries _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Commencement The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 4:07 p.m. 1.1 Acceptance of agenda Accepted on motion by O. Ajibade, seconded by B. Reid. 1.2 Acceptance of May minutes Accepted with revisions by J. Hall, on motion by B. Reid, seconded by J. Hall. 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof None. 3. Delegations None. 4. Discussion Items 2 4.1 ACAC Terms of Reference review update: Margaret Lam, ACAC chair M. Lam and A. Girard revised the existing committee Terms of Reference, taking into account member input from previous discussions. They presented the draft to the committee for further input. The Mandate and Scope section was simplified. A Definitions section was added. Other sections have been modified. Members discussed: 1. The Definitions section which are a work-in-progress. 2. The name of the committee (Arts and Culture): how does it relate/represent the role of the Arts and Creative (A&CI) team. The question of where cultural organizations fit in the city is valid to consider, in relation to the tasks of the team. 3. More clarity around the impact of recommendations made by the committee. 4. Make-up of committee: consider how to describe the roles so that the Nominating Committee has clear guidance on what the committee feels is a broad coverage of perspectives to serve ACAC’s purpose. 5. Where does PAWG (Public Art Working Group) fit in? Maybe one of the responsibilities of ACAC members is to nominate members to PAWG, given how specialized it is. Members discussed the definition of "culture". Members suggested that inclusion of "culture" in the name gives an entryway to residents who otherwise may not know which committee the topic goes to. It's challenging for city staff because often decision making around a community ask is based on identifying which team is best suited to assist: for example an ask to support an arts and culture event may have to be forwarded to Events, not the Arts and Creative Industries team. A&CI noted that if the team doesn't have purview over work, they are unable to take a recommendation to Council. Members suggested to have a broader definition of "culture", one that reflects overlapping streams, or culturally based practices with arts as the anchor. PAWG in reality does not meet the definition of a sub committee and would benefit from more varied membership. There is a sense from ACAC of unnecessary repetition of presented items that do not contribute towards efficiency of decision making. Members advised that PAWG should be its own advisory committee. 3 Action: K. Varin to ask Clerks about the processes of separating PAWG and establishing it as a new advisory committee. A lot of discussion ensued around membership. Final suggestions consisted of adjusting each category to have an option of one to two members with the exception of arts education (to have one) and practicing artist with two to three, with final composition of 11 members. The committee is suggesting to allow for individuals to fill two sections as choice in the application form. Meeting time can be challenging for individuals that work during those hours and can not take the time off. However, all city committees currently meet during staff hours. Perhaps further discussion is needed by Clerks to address how such barriers could be removed. 5. Information Items 5.1 Ankara Carnival 2.0: Olufunmilayo Ajibade, ACAC member The presenter and ACAC member, O. Ajibade has experience with and is passionate about organizing events: amongst them is the Ankara Festival now in it's second year. This year it will take place on August 10th, in McLennan Park in Kitchener. The word "ankara" means a colourful fabric from Africa and represents the many different African countries, the colourfulness of African culture and bringing all cultures together. This is a family event. The carnival celebrates unity and cultural diversity among Africans and non- Africans. Its goal is to bring people from different ethnic backgrounds together under one umbrella, to celebrate and educate each other about their uniqueness through cultural attires, foods, music, and games. This event also brings together African-Canadian entrepreneurs who are able to sell their items and make connections. The objective of the Festival is to create awareness of different African ethnic backgrounds, promote friendships and create memories. The organizers are looking for sponsors, partnerships and collaborators. ACAC members mentioned applying for the Regional Tourism Ontario grant - possible only once the organization is incorporated - and to continue to collect statistics and to document the day. This will assist with any future requests for financial support through grant applications. 5.2 Standing items city updates: Staff E. Rumble updated the committee, that The Mill Courtland Community Centre call for expressions of interest will close this upcoming Sunday. The jury has 4 been assembled and will start the process of reviewing the applications shortly thereafter. An open call for proposals for RBJ Schlegel Park is in development. Staff is working with a compressed timeline. PAWG suggested including an ACAC member on that jury as a citizen representative. Review of the submissions by a jury will begin in the fall, most likely in October or November. E. Rumble will share more information later. K. Varin informed the committee, that the 2024 Artist in Residence call for proposals is now posted, and already there have been four submissions. Staff held the first information session on Monday, June 17th. with good discussion and questions. B. Reid suggested for PAWG to discuss methodology and approach around jurying the submissions at the committee's July meeting. A special meeting of ACAC may be required at the beginning of August . The committee decided to keep the regular July meeting schedule and inform members if/once the August meeting is happening and when. This will be a virtual meeting and members will confirm who can attend. Members can now inform the committee administrator about their needs in relation to the Honorarium and Reimbursement policy. To do so, they will need to first complete a short mandatory training through the volunteer portal Better Impact. They can access it through an email that was sent out to them directly from that portal. K. Varin asked members to inform her if they have not received that email. 5.3 Downtown Advisory Committee: Annabelle Girard C. Bluhm, executive director of Economic Development, spoke about a subcommittee that was created to discuss the pedestrianizing of King Street. He elaborated on the possibilities of what the subcommittee tasks could be and is eager to hear the findings of the sub committee in their research of other models for street pedestrianizing. The plans would include o pportunities for art activations and interventions along the way. C. Dale, the manager of the Kitchener Market, presented what has been completed thus far from the 2019 Market Strategic plan. The Market will be building an industrial kitchen. Staff is looking for activations, and this may be a good area for ACAC to share recommendations. Action: as per A. Girard's suggestion, invite C. Dale to ACAC's September meeting. 5.4 Economic Development Advisory Committee: Margaret Lam 5 The meeting is tomorrow and with the Bramm Yards update, city's approach to sponsorship and summer events on the agenda. 5.5 Public Art Working Group: Brenda Reid There was a special presentation from Textile Magazine and Bangishimo where they gave feedback on the 2022 Artist in Residence mentorship partnership. There was discussion into possibilities of how it could be rolled into future residencies or revisited during an extended residency, along with advocacy for increased funding for the residency program. 5.6 Council report: Councillor Dave Schneider Councillor D. Schneider was not in attendance. 5.7 Member updates A. Girard, J. Hall, B. Reid and M. Lam gave updates. 6. Adjournment On motion from B. Reid, seconded by A. Girard the meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m. Karoline Varin Committee Administrator