HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts & Culture - 2008-04-15
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 CITY OF KITCHENER
PRESENT: Jennifer Breithaupt, Alison Burkett, Len Carter, Don Chapman, Councillor Kelly
Galloway, Lawrence McNaught, Bill Poole, Jamie Vasey, Cheryl York, Carrie Kozlowski.
GUESTS: Ramon and Tania Portillo, representatives of Kanatapress, on behalf of the Second Jobal
Arrozales Literary Contest, 2008
Brandie Noseworthy, student observer from Eastwood Collegiate
REGRETS: Paul Eichhorn, Councillor John Gazzola, J.D. McGuire, Sherryl Petricevic.
1.0 CALL TO ORDER: Jennifer Breithaupt
1.1 Approval of Agenda
A motion was made by Len Carter, seconded by Jamie Vasey, to approve the agenda as
circulated. Motion carried.
1.2 Delegation: Ramon & Tania Portillo, representatives of Kanatapress, provided background
information on the Second Jobal Arrozales Literary Contest (2008) and the Kanata Press.
The Jobal Arrozales Cultural Foundation was established on August 31, 2005 in the City of
Kitchener. It is a non-profit cultural organization, founded by the Salvadoran writer Ernesto
Jobal Arrozales (also known as Ramon Portillo) and his wife Maria Portillo. The objective of the
organization is to promote a cultural exchange between Latin American and North American
literature. For this purpose, the organization is devoted to promoting literary contests as well
as other cultural activities in Toronto, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph areas and
neighbouring communities.
All writers residing in Canada, regardless of their nationality, can contribute original,
unpublished works of poetry or short-stories written in English. The prize for each genre is
$1,000 dollars as well as the publication of 1,000 copies of the literary work by Kanatapress.
In 2007, the first Jobal Arrozales Literary Contest was held, bringing together Spanish-language
poets from a range of countries. In 2008, the organization proposes to continue with the
Spanish-language contest and establish a second one for English-language poets and short story
writers. For each contest, the organization hopes to develop five literary gatherings (known as
“tertulias” in Spanish). Authors will read their work and be evaluated by jurors throughout the
five tertulias. The winning piece of work in each genre will receive a prize of $1,000 and will
be published by Kanatapress.
The literary gatherings will include contestants reading their work as well as local poets and
storytellers who are not entered in the contest but wish to share their work with the audience.
The gatherings are open to the general public.
An information session about the Jobal Arrozales Cultural Foundation will take place on June
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20, 2008 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the Conestoga Room, Kitchener City Hall.
Prizes will be awarded and the presentation of the winning literature in each category will take
place on November 28, 2008.
The group is now seeking to spread the word about the contest in the local literary community.
ACTION: Staff to advise the delegation about how to participate in Word on the Street as a
means to raise its profile.
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April 2008 - ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 CITY OF KITCHENER
Staff described to the delegation the procedure for submitting a grant application.
ACTION: Staff to provide delegation with a grant application.
2.0 BUSINESS ARISING
2.1 Discussion of Delegation’s Presentation – Committee
Discussion regarding the Second Jobal Arrozales Literary Contest (2008) was deferred until the
group submits a grant application.
2.2Advisory Committees Review Group – Jennifer Breithaupt
A Working Group, led by Shelley Adams, is undertaking a review of Advisory Committees. It is
important that a member of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee participate on this
Advisory Committee Review Working Group to ensure that the interests of ACAC are
represented.
As ACAC's representative, J.D. McGuire, has found it necessary to resign from the Advisory
Committee Review Working Group, another volunteer from ACAC is required to participate.
The Working Group plans to report its recommendations to Council in June 2008. Upcoming
meetings are scheduled as follows. More meetings may be called if necessary. Attendance at
the April 30th meeting is critical.
Wednesday, April 30, 4:00 - 7:00, dinner provided
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Wednesday, May 28, 4:00 - 6:00
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Wednesday, June 18, 4:00 - 6:00
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ACTION: Staff to email all ACAC members to recruit a participant.
2.3Approval of March 18, 2008 Minutes
A motion was made by Bill Poole, seconded by Len Carter, to approve the minutes of the March
18, 2008 meeting. Motion carried.
2.4 Council Report – Councillor Kelly Galloway
2.4.1 World Religions Conference: At the February 19, 2008 meeting, ACAC made the
following recommendation on this group’s grant request: The Arts and Culture Advisory
Committee supports the World Religions Conference $5,000 grant application contingent
on the group holding its 2008 event at the Centre in the Square.
In its report to the Community Services Committee, staff made the following
recommendation to Council: That a one time general provision grant in the amount of
$5,000 to the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, to offset facility rental costs for the 28th
World Religions Conference to be held in November 2008, not be approved.
Ultimately, Council resolved that a one-time general provision grant in the amount of
$1,000 be approved to the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, to assist with offset facility
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rental costs related to the hosting of the 28 World Religions Conference in November,
2008.
Council made this decision for several reasons:
The group has requested one-time only grant assistance three times. This does not
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follow the City’s interim grants criteria.
The group could ask for funds from participating religious groups and/or attendees.
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April 2008 - ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 CITY OF KITCHENER
Once the City’s new system for allocating grant monies is in place, this group could
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apply for annual grant assistance.
Council did not wish to set a precedent where funding is contingent on an event
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taking place in Kitchener.
Councillor Galloway noted that it is not unusual for staff’s recommendation to differ
from ACAC’s, as staff must evaluate grant requests on the basis of the criteria, rather
than solely on the merit of the event.
2.4.2Ward Boundary Review
The City of Kitchener is in the midst of reviewing its current six-ward boundary system –
a process, as per city council policy, the city will undertake every eight years, after
every second municipal election. Consultant Dr. Robert Williams is leading the review
of the city’s ward boundaries. The information gathering portion of the review is
complete. Four options for new ward boundaries have been developed. The next phase
of this project is now underway, where public opinion is sought on the four options.
Please see http://www.kitchener.ca/city_hall/ward_boundary_review.html for more
information on the options, ways to provide feedback and details on the public open
houses.
2.5 Special Events Update – Don Chapman
A consultant has been selected to undertake the Strategic Review of Special Events. Bill Poole
of ACAC is on the Steering Committee for the Strategic Review of Special Events. The review
will entail benchmarking, establishing a vision and setting goals. The work plan is now in
process. An interim report is expected in June, with the final report scheduled for August.
The City of Kitchener is collaborating with the University of Waterloo on the Technology in the
Arts Conference (May 9 & 10, 2008). Kitchener will lend one of its Christie Digital projectors
for use at the conference. Gerry Remers, President and COO of Christie Digital Systems will
deliver the keynote address. There is an opportunity for Kitchener to host the 2009
conference.
2.6 ACAC’s Report on Options for the Market – Jennifer Breithaupt/Cheryl York/Committee
Until 12:00 a.m. today, the public can provide input on the three options for the upper level of
the Kitchener market:
Small independent vendors: Either a vendor collaborative; owner-operated vendor space, or
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a combination of the two.
Arts and Culture Centre: a 3-5 year solutions with eventual replacement by a mid-sized
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grocer or larger non-food retailer.
Status Quo: Remain as is until a mid-sized grocer or larger non-food retailer can be secured.
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ACAC members are invited to share their opinions on the market options with Jennifer
Breithaupt (by email) before April 30, 2008. Jennifer will compile the feedback. At its May
meeting, ACAC will review the comments, and draft a position on the market options as a
committee. Then Jennifer Breithaupt and Alison Burkett will compose a report outlining
ACAC’s position on the market options. The Communications and Marketing department will
present its report on Market Options on June 16, 2008.
ACTION: Committee members to send their comments on the three market options to
Jennifer Breithaupt by April 30, 2008. Jennifer will compile comments.
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April 2008 - ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 CITY OF KITCHENER
ACTION: Staff to investigate timing and means by which to share ACAC’s recommendations
on the Market.
2.7 Update on ACAC’s Final Report to Council - Len Carter
The current ACAC term concludes November 2008. To mark the end of ACAC’s term, the
committee will prepare a report to Council outlining its achievements. Len Carter is heading
up the preparation of ACAC’s final report to Council. This report is required as part of the
committee’s Terms of Reference. Len is reviewing all of the Committee’s minutes, and
gathering and organizing items into Sections. Sections include: Resolutions, Recommendations,
Actions, Acquisitions, Delegations Heard, Artist in Residence, Updates Shared, and Grant
Requests Considered. Other ACAC members are invited to participate.
ACTION: ACAC members interested in participating in the preparation of ACAC’s final
report to Council to contact Len Carter.
2.8 ACAC Project Updates:
2.8.1Luggage Project – Cheryl York
This year, Our World Festival of Music will kick off the City’s successful Tapestry
Festival at Civic Square on Friday, June 6, 2008 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. Our World
Festival of Music hopes to expand to a two-day festival, partnering with Arts and Culture
to include the unveiling of the Luggage Project, a long-awaited sculpture series by
Ernest Daetwyler, at the new Victoria Park – Gaukel Street entrance between 2:00 –
6:00 p.m. On the same date, the new “Celebrate Our Artists” weekend begins.
“Celebrate Our Artists” is an initiative under the McGuinty government taking place in
Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford and surrounding areas. “Celebrate
Our Artists” is an opportunity for the public to explore the creative process through
activities such as behind-the-scenes tours, workshops, and lectures, and a chance to
learn more about theatre, music, dance literature, media arts, crafts, and the visual
and performance arts.
Because these events are all tied together thematically, wrapping them in the
“Celebrate Our Artists” weekend will provide an enhanced, exciting focal point to the
work of Kitchener’s Cultural Community. There is an opportunity to involve digital
animation as part of the event, also. Lawrence McNaught has applied for grants from
the City of Kitchener and the Ontario Arts Council to assist with funding the expanded
Our World event.
2.8.2Cultural Summit – Bill Poole
By hosting an annual Cultural Summit or Roundtable, ACAC has an opportunity to
disseminate information. Items required include volunteers and staff members willing
to help with the organization, a strategy, and a list of invitees. Perhaps a sub-
committee of ACAC could work on this idea, chaired by Bill Poole.
ACTION: Staff to ensure that planning a Cultural Summit is included on the May ACAC
agenda.
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April 2008 - ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 CITY OF KITCHENER
2.8.3Waterloo Advisory Committee on Culture and ACAC to bring Terry Nicholson to speak
– Bill Poole
The intention of this item is to bring the Arts/Culture advisory committees of Kitchener,
Waterloo, and Cambridge, along with Regional staffers, together to hear a presentation
by Terry Nicholson of the Cultural Affairs Department of the City of Toronto. Terry
Nicholson has expressed his interest in participating. Bill Poole is looking into potential
dates.
2.9 Artist in Residence Program Update – Cheryl York
At the last Public Art Working Group (PAWG) meeting, committee members expressed support
for a draft Call for Entry for the 2008 Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program. This year’s program as
described in the Call for Entry is only an interim solution to the lack of dedicated studio space
for the AIR program at City Hall. This lack of space remains an outstanding issue requiring
resolution. ACAC will address this issue in its final report.
The Call for Entry is targeted at new media/video/video installation artists/artist teams
demonstrating the following:
Professional excellence
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Own equipment and workspace
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Proposed programming relevant to the community, including meaningful exchange with our
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diverse population.
In the past, the residency offered a studio space at City Hall for more traditional types of art
production. This year, City Hall offers an exhibition opportunity instead of a working studio
space. The City will provide opportunities for the artist’s work to be shown in-and-around City
Hall plaza using a state-of-the-art Christie Digital projector. A portable projector will also be
available to exhibit work at other sites.
The 2008 program will run for eight weeks, beginning July 7 and ending August 29. The
program carries an honorarium of $7,500. The City will exhibit the work in September.
MOTION: The following motion was made by Bill Poole, seconded by Jamie Vasey:
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee supports the special Artist-in-Residence program
proposed for 2008. Motion carried.
2.10Theatre & Co./King Street Theatre Update – Cheryl York
Staff made the following recommendation in a report to the Community Services Committee on
March 31, 2008: That staff be directed to contact Theatre & Co. requesting a progress report
be presented to Community Services Committee on programming decisions for the 2008-2009
season on June 16, 2008. Further, that staff be directed to continue monthly grant payments
in the amount of $4,250 for the months of May and June, 2008.
Theatre & Co. receives $55,284 from the City annually, plus $4,284 in-kind for parking.
3.0NEW BUSINESS
3.1Grants Subcommittee Report – Jamie Vasey
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC)’s subcommittee dealing with grants
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reconvened on April 9, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. (Graham Room, 7 Floor, City Hall) to review six arts
and culture grant requests. Jennifer Breithaupt, Len Carter and Jamie Vasey are members of
the grants subcommittee. They reviewed grants on the basis of their Arts and Culture merit,
rather than on adherence to grant criteria, as staff already reviews grants on this basis.
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April 2008 - ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 CITY OF KITCHENER
Since that meeting, one grant application (submitted by Neruda Productions) has been
withdrawn.
The grants subcommittee made the following recommendations regarding the grants process:
That groups charging admission fees be eligible to apply for grants
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That groups needn’t have a not-for-profit status to be eligible to apply for grants
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The subcommittee recommended that ACAC accept the following recommendations:
Kitchener Waterloo Youth Theatre: The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
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recommends that the new Kitchener Waterloo Youth Theatre receives a one-time only
grant in the amount of $1,500 for promotion of the program and in-kind facility rental in
the amount of $2,500.
Arts and Culture experiences for youth are important to community development.
Projects such as the Kitchener Waterloo Youth Theatre can help to build audiences for live
theatre.
African Women’s Alliance: The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee recommends that
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the African Women’s Alliance receives a one-time only grant in the amount of $5,000.
This grant will enable the organization to hire a part-time event organizer for its Afro
Festival, an important step forward in capacity-building for the organization and its
program.
Waterloo Regional Children’s Museum: The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
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recommends that the Waterloo Regional Children’s Museum approach Council directly with
its request for $50,000 in general programming funds.
Future applications, dealing with requests for funds for specific projects, could be
processed through the City’s Provisional Grants Program.
Kitchener Waterloo Humanist Movement: The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
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recommends that the Kitchener Waterloo Humanist Movement receive a one-time only
grant in the amount of $2,500, and in-kind support in the amount of $5,000.
The Kitchener Waterloo Humanist Movement’s Day in the Park is an important cultural
event in the life of our community. $1,000 should be directed to supporting this event.
The remaining $1,500 of the grant should be directed to promoting the film festival.
Our World Festival of Music: The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee recommends that
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Our World Festival of Music receive a one-time only grant of $7,250 to enable expansion of
this event.
As an event under the Tapestry Festival program, Our World Festival of Music will be part
of the launch event of “Celebrate Our Artists!” weekend. This inaugural “Celebrate Our
Artists!” project is being funded by the Province of Ontario. The event will include the
unveiling of Ernest Daetwyler’s new public sculpture at the Gaukel Street entrance to
Victoria Park. The themes of diversity and public access to the arts are a hallmark of our
community’s culture.
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April 2008 - ACAC Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 CITY OF KITCHENER
MOTION: Len Carter made a procedural motion, seconded by Alison Burkett, to remove the
“Our World Festival of Music” grant from consideration, as this item cannot be processed
via motion and vote as the grant applicant, Lawrence McNaught, is in a conflict of interest
position. Without Lawrence's participation, the ACAC quorum will be lost.
MOTION: Len Carter made a procedural motion, seconded by Jamie Vasey, that the
recommendation on the Our World Festival of Music will be handled by email vote, outside
of this meeting. Motion carried.
MOTION: Len Carter made a motion for the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee to accept
the recommendations of the grants subcommittee. Seconded by Jamie Vasey. Motion
Carried.
4.0NEW BUSINESS
4.1Public Art Policy Review: deferred until May 2008 meeting
4.2CulturePlan II Subcommittee Update: deferred until May 2008 meeting
4.3Members’ Updates
Bill Poole drew the committee’s attention to the upcoming Technology in the Arts workshop
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taking place May 9 & 10 at the University of Waterloo. The University of Waterloo’s Centre
for Cultural Management and Carnegie Mellon University Center for Arts Management and
Technology are working together on this conference. 2008 is the first year that it will take
place in Canada. There will be 15 presentation-style workshops. 75 registrations have
come in so far. Cost to attend is $250, including a reception dinner. Attendees are coming
from all over, including 8 participants from the Centre in the Square. Next year, there may
be an opportunity for students in the special events program at Conestoga College to assist
in the organization of the event as part of their course work.
5.0ADJOURNMENT/NEXT MEETING
A motion was made by Len Carter, seconded by Alison Burkett, to adjourn the April meeting.
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The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 in the Schmalz Room, 2 Floor,
Kitchener City Hall, starting at 4:00 p.m.
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April 2008 - ACAC Minutes