HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-21 ACAC Minutes
Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
January 21, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Conestoga Room
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 407
Present: M. Lam, Member
I. Stefanescu, Member
O. Ajibade, Member
J. Hall, Member
P. Evitts, Member
R. Labrie, Member
A. Mehta, Member
N. Stretch, Member
W. Rahimi, Member
S. Florence, Member
Staff: M. Mills, Legislative Services
K. Varin, Committee Administrator
A. Hallam, Manager, Arts & Creative Industries
J. Dueck, Director, Culture and Entertainment
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1. Commencement
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee held a meeting this date commencing
at 4:00 p.m.
1.1 Acceptance of agenda
Accepted as amended: addition of item #5.3 by M. Lam under Information Items;
on motion by J. Hall, seconded by S. Florence.
2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
None.
3. Delegations
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3.1Legislative Services: Advisory Committee Training & Orientation
M. Mills shared information about committee procedures that included: the roles
and responsibilities of the advisory committee, the meeting procedure, the
expected code of conduct and the process around disclosing a conflict of
interest.
4. Discussion Items
None.
5. Information Items
5.1 Committee Member & Staff Introductions
All members and staff present introduced themselves.
5.2 Arts & Creative Industries Overview
J. Dueck introduced the Culture and Entertainment Division and how the three
teams of Arts and Creative Industries (A&CI), Special Events and Centralized
Service Provider (Cultural Venues) collaborate. A. Hallam summarized the
current priorities for the A&CI team, including:
delivery of an A&CI Action Plan that will outline focused goals and actions
for next three years; it will include a budget ask to support the realization
of these actions. The plan will be shared with ACAC prior to presenting to
Council.
working alongside THEMUSEUM team to determine next steps around
operational challenges.
reviewing the city of Kitchener Tier 1 and Tier 2 Community Grants
program.
the team is leading the largest public art commission thus far, to be sited
at the Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex (KIRC). It is currently in the
early jury stages of artwork selection.
the team will support an Indigenous run process for siting an artwork in
Victoria Park.
the public art policy has been refreshed, and the team is looking at
creating a temporary art policy.
E. Rumble will give a presentation on creative spaces and the Public Art
Policy and Program at a future meeting.
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5.3Highlights of previous term: Margaret Lam
M. Lam was the committee's chair. Over the previous two year's term, the
committee:
gave their perspective on the city's strategic plan
discussed and championed fair compensation for artists' work and
accessibility considerations in relation to producing, installing and
interpreting public art.
revised the committee's Terms of Reference; the new version has to be
ratified by Council and current members will provide their input into the
final document prior to presentation.
provided consultation for: the redevelopment of the Charles Terminal
(Region), proposed development of Bramm Yards (city), the 2051 Official
Plan (Planning, city), the operating model for the Conrad Centre for the
Perfoming Arts (A&CI team, city).
gave input to presenters on the topics of: accessibility barriers in public
art, the Ankara Carnival, creation of filmmaking hub/studio in the region,
creation of centralized artist directory and a proposal for a working table
for downtown arts.
5.4 Honorarium & Reimbursement policy: Karoline Varin
The Honorarium and Reimbursement Policy for Advisory and Quasi-Judicial
Committees of the Council was introduced in early 2024. It recognizes the value
of the contributions, diverse voices, perspectives, experiences and expertise of
committee members. The policy supports the city's commitment to reducing
barriers to participation by citizens in all aspects of public participation.
Members of the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee are not eligible for honoraria,
but they are eligible for childcare reimbursement as well as parking and transit
passes to attend committee meetings. Parking passes and transit passes will be
provided by thecommittee administrator at the end of each meeting upon
request. In order to claim childcare compensation, a member needs to fill out an
attestation through the volunteer portal Better Impact. Compensation can be
claimed for a maximum of ten meetings per year, at maximum of three hours, at
an hourly rate of $16.50.
For assistance with childcare compensation, members are asked to contact the
committee administrator.
5.5 Chair & vice chair positions
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On a motion by N. Stretch, seconded by S. Florence, J. Hall was appointed chair.
Carried.
Two candidates put forth their candidacy for vice chair. Voting was postponed till
the February meeting.
Action: committee administrator to check with Legislative Services if the
committee can have two elected co-vice chairs.
6. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:49 p.m.
Karoline Varin
Committee Administrator
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