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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-08-084 - Arts & Culture Advisory Committee Achievements 2007 & 20081 R Community Services REPORT Report To: Community Services Committee Date of Meeting: October 20, 2008 Submitted By: Arts and Culture Advisory Committee Prepared By: Cheryl York, Arts/Culture co-ordinator Wards) Involved: All Date of Report: October 2, 2008 Report No.: CSD-08-084 Subject: Arts and Culture Advisory Committee Achievements 2007, 2008 RECOMMENDATION: For information. BACKGROUND: Since 1996, the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC) has advocated on behalf of the arts and provided Council with consultation and advice on arts and culture development in Kitchener. The committee's volunteers bring knowledge of arts and culture to their once monthly meetings, and share additional time and expertise as members of ad hoc sub-committees. The current term of the committee ends in November 2008. Members are eager to share their end-of-term report with Council, highlighting a wealth of achievements over the past two years. REPORT: Members who served during the term are Jennifer Breithaupt (Co-chair), Councillor Kelly Galloway (Co-chair), Alison Burkett, Len Carter, Paul Eichhorn, Councillor John Gazzola, J.D. McGuire, Lawrence McNaught, Sherryl Petricevic, Bill Poole, Julie Robbescheuten, Suzanne Ronald, Fitzroy Vanderpool, and Jamie Vasey. Staff resource people included Ingrid Pregel, Manager of Cultural Development, Cheryl York, Arts/Culture Co-ordinator, Carrie Kozlowski, ArtslCulture Program Assistant and recording secretary to the committee, Don Chapman, Manager, Special Events, Renate Willms, Supervisor of Administration, Community Services Department. Six community delegations made presentations to the committee. In addition, guests, including students, were often welcomed to the table. These forms of communicating and connecting were important ways for committee members to broaden their understanding of arts and culture activities and new developments, as well as to support methods of promoting volunteer opportunities on ACAC for young people. Highliahts of other actions and deliberations over the two-year period include: Arts and Culture Advisory Grants Review Sub-committee Joint arts advisory committees meeting (Cambridge, Waterloo, Kitchener) Compass Kitchener advisory committee's joint meetings (February 2007, December 2007, October 18, 2008) Community Investment Strategy consultation Advisory Committees Review consultation Upper Level Arts Activities at Kitchener Market study: response from ACAC (written report included as an appendix to the CSD report to Council) Arts cluster development Downtown King Street Master Plan Civic District Review Cultural Capitals of Canada application Donation of Kaufman Steam Engine Artist-in-residence appointments and commissions (2) Public art commissions (Activa Sportsplex, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, Speaker's Corner) Public art program and policy review stakeholders' meetings Rotunda Gallery jury participation Culture Plan II Sub-committees and CP II implementation (networking series) Special arts events (June 6, 2008: The Luggage Project public art/Tapestry/Ontario Arts Council "Celebrate Our Artists" launch at Victoria Park) Artist-in-Residence program recommendation Magnetic North Theatre Festival Festival development in Kitchener (bluegrass music) Plans for more community outreach and volunteer recruitment for ACAC The members of ACAC are grateful for these and other opportunities to contribute to the cultural life of the community, and very proud of all that has been accomplished during the term. Artist-in-Residence At its March 18, 2008 meeting, the committee decided to include in this end-of-term report a statement about the artist-in-residence program. Mandate: Artist-In-Residence Program FAIR} The City of Kitchener Artist-In-Residence Program (AIR) is developed by the City's Public Art Working Group, in collaboration with the managing Arts and Culture Coordinator and the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. The program is funded by the City of Kitchener with support from the Lions Club of Kitchener. Mission Statement: The AIR Program supports and advocates artistic innovation and excellence in contemporary art. The Program facilitates and develops meaningful exchange between the community and the artist. Once selected the artist is supported as an innovative creator and is assisted as much as possible by City staff, PAWG and all available resources. Regional artists as well as artists whose work is relevant to Waterloo Region are invited to apply. The AIR Program provides an opportunity for the development of the artist's professional work through a number of potential program offerings such as workshops, lectures, high- visibilityinteraction with the arts community and the general public, as well as active membership on the Public Art Working Group. In addition, the artist is afforded 6 months use of the Artist-In-Residence Studio on the main floor of City Hall. The artist develops a proposal for a commissioned art work with the Public Art Working Group. Programming and logistics are managed with the City of Kitchener Arts and Culture Co-ordinator. The City of Kitchener Artist-In-Residence is selected by the Public Art Working Group, ratified by ACAC and approved by Council. The criteria for selection are: Artistic excellence Strength and professionalism of submission Relationship of the artist's proposed workshops and programming to a diverse community Potential for meaningful exchange between artists and citizens For several years, the program was located in the skate change room. However, in 2005, artist- in-residence Tony Urquhart was unable to use the space in the summer months due to the absence of air conditioning in the space. The program was moved, on a temporary basis, to an area on the ground floor of City Hall across from the cashier counter. Use of this location continued until the end of 2007. Since that time, the program has been without dedicated studio space at City Hall. For the 2008 program, a change was made to accommodate this constraint. The 2008 call for entry required proposals from artists working in digital media only. An exhibition opportunity was offered, rather than a studio space. With the City's acquisition of projectors from Christie Digital, the selected applicant's work would be projected onto the Berlin Tower of City Hall. Expanding the program to focus on digital media and further the objectives of temporary, projected exhibitions may lead to permanent program changes. However, a 2009 review of the program will be necessary before such changes are made. At this point, the approved AIR mandate specifies (1) a six-month residency, (2) a studio space at City Hall, and (3) a commissioned art work. The commissioned art work is added to the City's collection. Based on that mandate, discussion within PAWG and ACAC (March 2008) concluded with a position statement containing the following: Unique in nature among Canadian municipalities, the program should remain at Kitchener City Hall. Culture Plan II (recommendations #6 and #8) supports increased funding for AIR. Downtown development strategies are supported by having the AI R program at City Hall as this location affords visibility and accessibility. The AIR program symbolizes the City's commitment to creativity and arts leadership. With increased funding, consideration should be given to retaining City Hall as a nucleus and expanding the program to other city neighbourhoods. Use of a dedicated space on the ground floor of City Hall should be for ten months of the year. The space should be modified to provide adequate lighting and a sink. These issues and ACAC's position statement will inform the review of the program in 2009. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: N/A CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee believes Kitchener's future as a healthy and creative community depends on the City's support and leadership. Ongoing funding and infrastructure support, building on the foundations of Culture Plans I and II and the grants program, will position Kitchener in the forefront of vital Canadian communities. The primary beneficiaries of such development are the citizens of Kitchener in this and future generations. Cheryl York, ArtslCulture Co-ordinator