HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts & Culture - 2005-05-10
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Tuesday May 10, 2005 - 4:00 p.m.
CITY OF KITCHENER
PRESENT: Peter Hinchcliffe (Chair), Isabel Cisterna, Ron Green, Jennifer Breithaupt, Sivakumar
Somasundram, Martin DeGroot, Annalee Moore, Graham Yeates, Denis Pellerin,
Councillor John Gazzola, Erina Harris
REGRETS: Robert Gissing, Lori Palubeski, Don Chapman
1. DELEGATION - Don Bourgeois, Registry Theatre Future Direction
Don attended to bring members up-to-date on the theatre and its future direction.
The theatre has been operating for five years under an agreement with the City, which comes
to an end in December 2005.
The building, owned by the City (122 Frederick Street), is an important heritage site currently
housing diverse community performing arts ranging from amateur productions to events of
international stature.
In a partnership with the City, the building is able to be made available to groups at an
affordable rate.
JM Drama paid for the renovations and operation.
Studies over the past twenty years agreed that there is a need for this kind of smaller venue
for performing arts.
To date, JM Drama owes the City approximately $75,000 which has to be paid by the end of
the year. Under the agreement, no money from operating revenues can be used to pay the
debt. JM Drama will need to negotiate the terms of this debt.
The theatre has been very successful and is now at a point to assess the future of the
organization.
The theatre has funding from Trillium for part time staff for another eighteen months
Don noted that he would appreciate dialogue and support from ACAC during this time and will
keep members informed as things progress. He invited members to consider having an ACAC
meeting at the theatre in the Fall and to stay to take a tour of the building.
Don was thanked and he left the meeting.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND REVIEW OF AGENDA
Don Chapman was unable to attend the meeting therefore "Events Portfolio" was removed from
the agenda. A motion was made by Isabel, seconded by Denis, to accept the minutes of the
April meeting as well as the May agenda. All were in favour; carried.
3. BUSINESS ARISING
3.1 Steam Engine - Erina
· The owners of the Kaufman building cannot keep the steam engine housed in the building, so
the engine will be safely dismantled and stored properly. The engine is destined, hopefully,
for exhibit in the centre block in the future, hopefully in a building with a display area drafted
into its design.
3.2 ACAC/Sheila McMath Membership - Erina
· The appointment of Sheila McMath to ACAC, replacing Virginia MacDonnell Eichhorn, has
been accepted by Council. Sheila will attend the June ACAC meeting.
\May 2005 - ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Tuesday May 10, 2005 - 4:00 p.m.
3.3 CulturePlan II Update - Erina
Erina reminded members ofthe public meeting coming up on May 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the City
Hall Rotunda to get final input from citizens regarding CulturePlan II.
Martin and Erina have done numerous presentations on the plan and will be meeting with
developers soon to discuss cultural elements in new neighbourhood design. Planners (30-50)
have responded favourably to encouraging public art to be included in private sector
developments.
A strategy to have clarification re purpose of public art to business sector to be added to final
plan.
CulturePlan II was presented at the Municipal Culture Planning Forum held recently.
Kitchenerj ACAC was chosen as one of the four best cultural planning centres in Southwestern
Ontario at the forum. The Community Arts Conference also specifically mentioned our
presentation at the MCP. Kitchener's CulturePlan has a huge amount of citizen input, often
more than other municipalities.
4. NEW BUSINESS
N/A
5. REPORTS
5.1 Public Art Working Group (PAWG) Report - Erina
· The expansion of Victoria Hills Community Centre has been approved by Council and
construction will begin soon. Cory Bluhm will represent the Planning Department on the
project and will meet with Erina and architects early on in the process to ensure that public
art is considered.
· The area around Chandler Mowat Community Centre is a culturally diverse neighbourhood.
CMCC is run by the House of Friendship. The Button Factory provides programs at CMCC.
The CMCC will work with Erina to develop the public art project.
5.2 Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC) Report - Denis
Soheila Kohladouz is the new Co-ordinator of the ASAP Project.
ASAP will work with students from area highschools to paint the hoarding - want to get art
done before school is out in six weeks. Silvia Wright and Denis will meet to discuss plans for
talking to Mayor Zehr and will keep Erina advised of outcome as part of inviting highschool
students to work on this project.
Some art has sold in ASAP Project.
Kafka is looking at how to build partnerships - Erina will arrange meetings to discuss.
ASAP felt there was not a necessity to apply for funding this year, although a contribution
was made by KDBA.
ASAP is open to artist of any age within their Region.
Denis will send information on ASAP to Isabel to share with newcomers to this area and will
follow-up with ACAC.
Isabel noted that the Multicultural Centre has limited funds
Members wanted to know whether art is being included in established community centres and
suggested that centres could be better used by area artists (eg. ASAP). Possibly someone
from ASAP could make a presentation to centre staff.
The mural has disappeared from the Schreiter's building - Erina will check to find out details
and report back to ACAC.
\May 2005 - ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Tuesday April 12, 2005 - 4:00 p.m.
5.3 Cultural Development Committee (CDC) Report - Ron
· The train station in Waterloo is being used for a tourist information centre.
· The Community Arts Centre has new panels for hanging art.
· A dance, the "Button Hop" is being held on June 4 - Martin distributed handouts about the
event.
5.4 Waterloo Region Arts Council (WRAC) Report - Martin
· Martin will attend the Capacity Building - Arts Organizations in mid-sized Cities conference on
Thursday and will report back to ACAC in June.
· Erina will send members information on the Perforum Conference.
6.0 OTHER
· Isabel will forward information on her various projects.
· The K-W Record will host a Cafe Caberet in their new building, a showcase of past performers
in September.
7.0 ADJOURNMENT/NEXT MEETING
The next ACAC meeting will take place on June 14th at 4:00 p.m. in the Schmaltz Room at
Kitchener City Hall.
\May 2005 - ACAC Minutes