HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-037 - Artist in Residence 2007
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
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Prepared By:
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Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
Community Services Committee
April 2, 2007
Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
Cheryl York, Arts/Culture Co-ordinator (741-3400, Ext 3381)
All
March 22, 2007
CSD-07-037
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2007
RECOMMENDATION:
That the recommendation of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and the Public Art
Working Group to name Paul Roorda as the twelfth City of Kitchener Artist-in-Residence
for 2007, be endorsed; and further,
That subject to 2007 budget deliberations, the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute
an agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with Paul Roorda regarding the License
For Artist's Studio, Kitchener City Hall, and use of the City Hall facilities for 2007, as
outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-07-037.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Kitchener Artist-In-Residence program began in 1995 to enable artists to participate
in the cultural enhancement of our community. Through the development of artwork and
integration with the community through programming and presence in the City Hall Reflecting
Studio, the program provides artists, residents and tourists with the opportunity for meaningful
interaction. The program has contributed significantly to the development of substantial artist
networks and the profile and practices of artists in this community.
The jury's careful consideration of the numerous candidates who responded to the Call-for-Entry
resulted in the selection of Paul Roorda as Artist-in-Residence for 2007 with his proposal titled
for the City of Kitchener".
REPORT:
A public jury comprised of professionals from the Public Art Working Group and from prominent
visual arts organizations in the community adjudicated the 8 applicants' proposals. The final
decision was to invite Paul Roorda to be the 2007 Artist-in-Residence.
CSD-07-037
Page 2
Paul is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, Northeastern University, Boston, and the Emily
Carr Institute of Art and Design, Vancouver. In his creative work, Paul uses a variety of media,
including non-traditional materials, "to explore the relationship between ritual, nature, and the
changes in religious beliefs and practices in society."
Recent solo exhibitions have taken place at Galerie Luz, Montreal; Propoeller Centre for the
Visual Arts, Toronto; the Carnegie Gallery, Dundas; and Harbinger Gallery, Waterloo. In 2007,
Paul will show work in a new solo exhibition at the Robert Langen Gallery, University of
Waterloo.
Paul's program proposal for the City of Kitchener residency includes organizing two student art
exhibits. The first would result from a contest for young people in Kitchener to submit design
concepts for downtown. The second exhibit would feature the work of students in Africa whose
lives have been changed through the AIDS epidemic. Paul is currently exploring the possibility
of hosting a talk by Father Dan Donovan, the well-known collector of original artworks for St.
Michael's College, frequent lecturer on collecting Canadian art and host of videos and television
programs. In addition, Paul will be using the City Hall studio space several hours each week for
the development of his own work.
The Public Art Working Group met on March 13, 2007 to discuss Paul's proposal with him. The
motion was unanimously passed to support his appointment as Artist in Residence 2007. A
report was presented by PAWG representative and ACAC member Suzanne Ronald, to ACAC's
regular meeting on March 20, 2007. A motion was made by Suzanne, seconded by Paul
Eichhorn, that ACAC support Paul Roorda's appointment by Council. All were in favour and the
motion carried.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
A budget of $1 0,000, as in 2005, finances this program through the Arts and Culture Operating
Budget:
A.I.R. Stipend 7,500
Materials Budget 2~500
TOTAL 10,000
In addition, the Public Art Trust provides the artist with up to $5,000 in commission for the
production of an art work resulting from the 2007 Artist-in-Residence program. A separate report
will be brought forward at a later date regarding this part of the program.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Members of the Public Art Working Group and the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
celebrate the City's distinguished tradition of Artist-in-Residence in its 12th year. The City
supports the program through a range of marketing initiatives including, but not limited to, media
releases, opportunities for feature articles, and cross-organizational communication and
projects.
CSD-07-037
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CONCLUSION:
The City of Kitchener's Artist-in-Residence program is the only municipal program of its kind in
Canada, a front-runner in the cultural development of urban centres, and a model for other
communities. The program's 12-year history has embedded its value in the municipal fabric
while maintaining its ability to grow and contribute to Downtown revitalization.
Cheryl York, Arts/Culture Co-ordinator
AP