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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA&C - 2007-11-20 ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Tuesday, November 20, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER PRESENT: Jennifer Breithaupt, Alison Burkett, Paul Eichhorn, Councillor Kelly Galloway, Lawrence McNaught, J.D. McGuire, Sherryl Petricevic, Bill Poole (until 4:45), Suzanne Ronald, Cheryl York, Carrie Kozlowski. GUESTS: Alf Bogusky and Sonia Lewis, Civic District Visioning Team Alex Pietrobon, Millennium Choral Organization REGRETS: Len Carter, Don Chapman, Councillor John Gazzola, Fitz Vanderpool, Jamie Vasey. 1.0 CALL TO ORDER: Jennifer Breithaupt 1.1 Approval of Agenda A motion was made by Alison Burkett to approve the agenda as circulated. Bill Poole seconded the motion. All were in favour; the motion was carried. 1.2 Delegation: Two representatives of the Civic District Visioning Team (Alf Bogusky, Director General, Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery, and Sonia Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Kitchener Public Library) provided background on the team’s project. The Civic District Visioning Team was established several months ago and includes members from Centre in the Square, Registry Theatre, Kitchener Public Library (KPL) and Kitchener- Waterloo Art Gallery. Stakeholders share an objective: to make the area a better place. Public consultation has taken place by means of a widely distributed online and hard-copy survey, focus groups, and a design charette. The community was well represented in the public consultation process, and delivered useful feedback. The goal was to gather ideas about how the Civic District might evolve in the future, and to establish a vision and a ‘look’ for the district. Participants were asked to imagine the possibilities for the area. The site is literally and symbolically a major centre. Every level of government is represented, as well as prominent arts and culture facilities. The Visioning Team is keen that future developments be “green” and support intensification and maximum human exchange. On November 19, 2007 the team presented the results of the public consultation process to the Development and Technical Services committee. In general, the public recommends “thinking big and doing it right”. Public feedback identified the following as important objectives when drafting the vision: ? A place where people can come together ? A place that inspires creativity and provides learning opportunities ? A place that includes businesses ? An atmosphere where arts and culture is celebrated as the focus ? A place that marries open spaces, restaurants, studios, cafes and gathering spots ? A place that is connected to the downtown The next steps will involve creating a cohesive vision for the district using the feedback generated. Then a business plan will be developed, followed by implementation of the plan. On Monday, November 26, 2007 the results of the public consultation will be presented to Council. The Visioning Team is taking its findings to Council because the City owns much of the land within the district, and because the team seeks to secure Council endorsement, support and backing. The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC) and the public will have opportunities to participate as the process continues and evolves. The Visioning Team will report to Council on the progress within 12 months. 1 November 2007 - ACAC Minutes ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Tuesday, November 20, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER Alf Bogusky and Sonia Lewis then left the meeting. 1.3 Delegation: A representative of the Millennium Choral Organization (Alex Pietrobon, Director) provided background on the organization’s $5,000 annual grant request. The community-based Millennium Choral Organization has been in existence for 20 years, 19 of those years as a profit-making venture with surpluses going to assist other organizations. In May 2005, it adopted not-for-profit status to access larger corporate funds. The organization is now struggling to raise sufficient funds to support its operation, and is in a deficit position. While the organization itself has a 20 year history, it has no history as a not-for-profit, and must overcome this hurdle. Membership fees are $110 for adults and $60 for children. The organization subsidizes these fees and is reluctant to raise them for fear of alienating its members. The choir rehearses weekly at Suddaby School and mainly performs at Benton St. Baptist Church. It has performed at the Centre in the Square three times. Alex Mustakas and Michael Higgins are members of the organization’s board. The current deficit is due, in part, to the fact that the choir has decided not to raise its membership fees and because it has increased its honouraria. A more suitable rehearsal venue, now being researched, will increase expenditures. Alex Pietrobon concluded his presentation by stating that a $5,000 grant from the City of Kitchener could sustain the choir until it gets its legs as a non-profit organization. ACAC expressed concern that the choir is seeking a potentially more expensive venue while it is facing another deficit position. ACAC indicated to Alex Pietrobon that it will consider his request, and may follow up with further questions. Alex Pietrobon then left the meeting. ACAC then discussed the issues surrounding the Millennium Choral Organization’s grant request. ACAC would like to encourage the organization to avoid incurring additional costs associated with finding a new venue while facing a deficit. The organization’s plans to move must be financially viable. A motion was made by Alison Burkett, seconded by Lawrence McNaught, to support the Millennium Choral Organization’s $5,000 grant application with the advice that the organization carefully considers the implications of changing its venue while facing a deficit in 2008. Motion carried. 1.4Meeting Structure: Jennifer Breithaupt Members of ACAC were reminded to follow meeting etiquette, and to seek acknowledgement of one of the co-chairs before speaking to ensure that all members of the committee have a chance to share their opinions. The purpose of the committee is to fulfill an advisory role to Council, and this must be ACAC’s major focus, rather than canvassing too broadly for items beyond the scope of the committee. 1.5Kitchener Youth Action Council (KYAC) and ACAC: Janice Ouellette (absent), Councillor Kelly Galloway, Cheryl York 2 November 2007 - ACAC Minutes ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Tuesday, November 20, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER In her absence, Janice provided notes of items for ACAC to bear in mind when contemplating the addition of youth representation to the committee. These notes were distributed, and the committee discussed how best to involve youth. Councillor Galloway explained that as a member of KYAC and a co-chair of ACAC, she has the opportunity to see the potential for a relationship between these two committees. She suggests an informal relationship that she could facilitate, where the committees could consult each other (ACAC could consult with KYAC on matters pertaining to youth and the arts, and KYAC could consult with ACAC when contemplating issues pertaining to the arts). KYAC meets weekly, and its membership is extremely involved, which makes it challenging for a member of KYAC to join ACAC in a more formal capacity. Perhaps the participation of a youth member could be addressed in ACAC’s terms of reference when it is reviewed. Committee members indicated that they would expect a commitment of two years from a youth member, just like the rest of the members. To find out the most appropriate way to structure youth membership in the Terms of Reference, ACAC could commence a trial. High school students (one from each board, and potentially from Eastwood Collegiate as it has an arts focus) could be invited to join the committee. In fact, Eastwood is launching a Specialist High Skills Major program which could fit well with ACAC’s plans. This arrangement could be in addition to the informal two-way consultation relationship between KYAC and ACAC facilitated by Councillor Galloway. ACTION: Staff to add the Review of the Terms of Reference and the addition of a youth member to the “Future Agenda Items” for the January 2008 meeting. ACTION: J.D. McGuire to find out status of Advisory Committees review and report at next meeting. A motion was made by Alison Burkett, seconded by Sherryl Petricevic, that ACAC appoint two ad-hoc youth committee members, one from Eastwood and one from the Catholic School Board to ACAC to participate (as non-voting members) from January to June 2008. Motion carried. ACTION: Staff to contact school boards to find potential youth members and issue invitations to the January 2008 meeting. 2.0 BUSINESS ARISING 2.1 Approval of October 16, 2007 Minutes A motion was made by Paul Eichhorn to approve the minutes of the October meeting. J.D. McGuire seconded the motion. All were in favour; the motion was carried. 2.2 Council Report: Councillor Galloway 2.2.1 Kaufman Steam Engine - Council endorsed the recommendation to donate the steam engine to Doon Heritage Crossroads, on the condition that the Waterloo Regional Museum project goes ahead. 2.2.2 Market Co-op Option #6 – Under this additional option, market vendors have offered to manage the market. 2.2.3 World Religions Conference Provisional Grant Update – Council approved a one time general provision grant in the amount of $4,000 to assist with expenses related to the 3 November 2007 - ACAC Minutes ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Tuesday, November 20, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER 2007 World Religions Conference to be held at the University of Waterloo on November 24, 2007; and, that Conference organizers consider holding the 2008 World Religions Conference in the City of Kitchener, with any potential grant request to be made well in advance of the date of that Conference; and further, that the World Religions Conference organizers be invited to attend the January 2008 ACAC meeting to report on the results of the 2007 Conference and provide additional information regarding their . organization and its program 2.2.4 Central Maintenance Facility – This facility is going ahead, and under the percent for public art policy, there will be $200,000 allocated for public art. 2.3 Public Art Working Group (PAWG) Report: Suzanne Ronald The City’s Artist-in-Residence program has been temporarily housed on the ground floor of City Hall for the past three years. However, the continuation of this arrangement is uncertain due to competing demands for the space. Because of this uncertainty, the 2008 call for entry to the program has not yet occurred. One of the recommendations under CulturePlan II calls for increased support of the program. PAWG recently surveyed past Artists-in-Residence about their experiences with and the effectiveness of the City of Kitchener’s program; three artists responded. The artists’ comments revealed the following: ? It is important that the program remain in City Hall ? Culture Plan II recommends (rec. #6 and #8) that AIR receive increased financial support ? Downtown development strategies are supported by having an AIR program at City Hall ? City Hall site affords visibility and accessibility – important for both the general public and the artist. Interaction between the artists and the public is an important part of the program ? Kitchener has established a national reputation, through this program, as an innovative, arts-friendly city ? The importance of the program to Kitchener’s aspirations as a ‘creative city’ ? The importance of this public statement and symbol of arts leadership Based on these comments, PAWG made the following recommendations regarding the program: ? that the AIR program be sited at City Hall ? that the budget be increased as per CPII recommendations 6 & 8 ? that the program (through increased funding) expand, with City Hall remaining as a nucleus and other sites such as neighbourhoods and businesses hosting satellite programs Regarding the ground floor “studio” space at City Hall, its major benefit is visibility and accessibility. The group agreed that the space should not be vacant for six months of the year. There are some physical constraints for the artist using the space. PAWG members recommended the following modifications: ? 10 months use of the space as studio and 2 months as AIR gallery ? Replace the door with one allowing clearer visibility of the interior ? Improve the lighting ? Install a sink A motion was made by Suzanne Ronald, seconded by Alison Burkett, that ACAC support PAWG’s recommendations. All in favour, motion carried. 4 November 2007 - ACAC Minutes ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Tuesday, November 20, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER 3.0 NEW BUSINESS: None 4.0INFORMATION ITEMS 4.1 Arts Coordinator Update: Cheryl York 4.1.1 Paul Roorda, AIR final program – As his final project as Artist-in-Residence, Paul Roorda curated the exhibition entitled “Omwaana, Latin, Omide, Mtoto: Children’s Art form Africa” at the Children’s Museum, opening on November 20, 2007. This exhibition displays approximately 100 pieces of art by children from four different countries in Africa. Through their art, the children share their experiences of poverty, violence and HIV/AIDS. 4.1.2 2008 Rotunda Gallery Exhibition Selection – A selection panel including Alison Burkett of ACAC, a PAWG member and a member from the City’s Marketing and Communications department have selected 10 artists to exhibit in the Rotunda Gallery in 2008. ACTION: Staff to announce selection once all artists have confirmed intention to accept the invitation to exhibit. 4.1.3 Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts – At Mayor Zehr’s request, a nomination form for the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts was distributed. ACAC members are encouraged to nominate local artists or art organizations. 4.1.4K-W Opera Update – KW Opera has withdrawn from Kitchener’s Cultural Capitals of Canada application. This organization is currently focusing on fundraising to overcome its huge deficit. It has cancelled its season, and, as a result, will not receive the remaining portion of its City of Kitchener 2007 grant ($4,000). It has not applied for further annual funding. 4.2Roundtable Information Items: Lawrence McNaught updated the committee on upcoming Christmas programming coming to the Registry Theatre. Bill Richardson of CBC radio and Mayor Zehr will be reading. Guitarist Kevin Ramassar will also appear. ACTION: Staff to add Culture Plan II update as a “Future Agenda Item”. 5.0FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS/COMMITTEE WORK PLAN: Jennifer Breithaupt 5.1 Memorial Cup 2008 and the arts: December 18, 2007 meeting devoted to this topic. Delegation (John Thompson and Kim Kugler) attending. 5.2 World Religions Conference: Delegation attending January 15, 2008 meeting. 5.3 Prosperity Council’s Creative Intersections: Deferred until February, 2008. Staff expressed ACAC’s interest in attending “Creative Intersections”. 5.4 Terms of Reference Review and addition of youth member: Deferred until January 15, 2008 meeting. 5.5 CulturePlan II Update 5 November 2007 - ACAC Minutes ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Tuesday, November 20, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER 6.0ADJOURNMENT/NEXT MEETING A motion was made by Suzanne Ronald, seconded by Paul Eichhorn, to adjourn the November meeting. The next meeting will be held on December 18, 2007 in the Schmalz Room, Kitchener City Hall, starting at 4:00 p.m. 6 November 2007 - ACAC Minutes