Arts and Culture Advisory Committee

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 4:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Conestoga Room

City of Kitchener

200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 407

Present:

• J. Hall, Chair
• R. Labrie, Vice Chair
• M. Lam, Member
• O. Ajibade, Member
• A. Mehta, Member
• N. Stretch, Member
• S. Florence, Member
• W. Rahimi, Member

Staff:

• K. Varin, Committee Administrator
• E. Rumble, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industry
• A. Hallam, Manager, Arts & Creative Industries
• Jeremy Dueck, Director, Culture and Entertainment

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1.

Commencement

The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 4:00 p.m.

1.1

Acceptance of agenda

Accepted on motion by N. Stretch, seconded by S. Wilson.

1.2

Acceptance of February minutes

Accepted on motion by W. Rahimi, seconded by S. Wilson.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None.

3.

Delegations

None.

4.

Discussion Items

None.

5.

Presentations

5.1

Revised committee Terms of Reference: Margaret Lam, committee member

M. Lam summarized the review process undertaken by previous membership alongside city staff. The review of the Terms began in early 2024 and continued that year, with discussions and feedback provided by the Legislative Service, the Arts & Creative Industries (A&CI) team and committee members until a final draft was completed at the end of term. This draft was sent to current committee members to provide feedback.

M. Lam drew attention to key revisions implemented in the Terms:

- reference to outdated documents was eliminated and replaced with references to the most current documents

- a "Definitions" section was added including clarification of the definition of "arts and culture" - this is important for the Nominating Committee 

- revisions were made in wording to clarify the responsibilities of the committee as an advisory body to staff and Council

- the membership composition was updated to suggest a less prescriptive language and to reflect the desire for greater diversity of members

- the definition of quorum was adjusted to allow for more flexibility when or if membership becomes lower than prescribed

- a lot of discussion took place around the value, role and structure of sub-committees with determining the future of the Public Art Working Group (PAWG); more clarity is advised in that section

-  a section was added for clarity around how the committee can make recommendations to Council

A&CI staff suggested renaming the committee to Arts & Entertainment Committee. Staff is suggesting the renaming to better reflect the current work that the Arts & Creative Industries team does. The committee name was established when the team was still named Arts & Culture and was part of the Community Services division not Economic Development as at present. Much discussion ensued around the renaming of the committee.  Current members debated the reasons for leaving in or eliminating the word "culture" from the name. Staff made the argument that leaving "culture" may be misleading for individuals looking to join the committee. Although culture can be an underlier for creating art, the focus of the work that A&CI does is supporting creative practitioners and entrepreneurs. The team's role does not include support systems for all encompassing cultural activities.  Whereas some members felt removal of the word may send a message of inequity. There was some questioning about where individuals interested in culture could land as there is no other advisory committee that encompasses culture in a broader sense. Members asked if the committee could advise Council that this gap exists. It was suggested, that perhaps this is an item that can also be voiced during the all committees Compass meeting on April 9th. Members asked to return to this discussion at the April meeting.

5.2

2025 Artist in Residence call for submissions: Karoline Varin, Arts & Creative Industries

The 2025 Artist in Residence call for submissions is an experiential opportunity. It is a chance for the artist to take part in the residency with the intention of designing and fabricating a public art installation at the Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre. 

The program has been running for 30 years, and each year a local artist was selected through a public call for proposals adjudicated by PAWG. The mandate of the program remains to engage the community while providing an opportunity for the artist to develop their artistic practice or project of interest. This is typically a year long commitment with part time hours, compensation and a year end presentation goal such as an exhibition, showcase or publication.

Recently, the program has been under review by PAWG and the A&CI team. Discussions around increased compensation and potential thematic or collaborative expansion were considered. The Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre underwent a renovation and expansion in 2020 and as such, was eligible for a 1% allocation of funds for a public art installation through the public art policy. A team of artists was selected, but due to unforeseen increases in cost and fabrication challenges caused by the pandemic, the project could not be realized. After conversations with the centre's management, A&CI staff determined  that combining the two opportunities would provide a way to increase the budget and provide an interesting opportunity to really engage the community in the outcome of the residency: the public art installation. 

Centre staff identified a patio area located at the back on the building as the site for the public art installation. This area was renovated at the end of 2024, and staff has plans to host a number of programs outdoors and in the adjacent, indoor room in addition to informal uses during the day by visitors. The goal is to animate this space through the final public art installation making it an enjoyable and engaging environment for patio users. 

The residency would start in July and continue till end of December. The artist will be compensated out of the residency budget to work with the community to develop or finalize an installation idea. The following six months (Jan-June) will be spent on fabrication and then installation of the artwork in the Spring of 2026. The call is open to local visual artists. A jury of five will select the winning proposal: an ACAC member or a committee recommended artist, one visual artist, one centre staff, one neighbourhood association member, and a ward councillor or designate. Once a selection is made, staff will present to ACAC for further recommendation, and then to Council for final approval.  

K. Varin outlined the details of jury responsibilities and timeline for the selection process in hopes of enlisting a jury member representing ACAC. Member, J. Hall volunteered for the role.

5.3

Rotunda Gallery exhibition program overview: Karoline Varin, Arts & Creative Industries

K. Varin introduced the committee to the mandate and the selection process for the Rotunda Gallery exhibition program: the type of artists that the space can accommodate, honorariums paid, selection process and its timeline. Previously the selection of submissions was adjudicated by PAWG. Since PAWG's responsibilities have been reabsorbed into ACAC's, staff is suggesting that the selection for this program be now adjudicated by ACAC. The Rotunda Gallery is a space that is unique: it is not only a gallery, but a public meeting space for customers, visitors and staff. The selection of work showcased should not only reflect a high artistic standard, but our diverse community. 

6.

Information Items

M. Lam attended EDAC at which members discussed potential effect of incoming American tariffs on Kitchener's economy. There is an opportunity for ACAC to share impact on the arts sector. 

7.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m.

Karoline Varin
Committee Administrator