Arts and Culture Advisory Committee Minutes

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Virtual
Present:
  • Councillor Debbie Hanlon
  • Rhonda Tulk-Lane, MusicNL
  • Daniel Rumbolt, Visual Artists of Newfoundland and Labrador-CARFAC
  • Jen Winsor, Writers’ Alliance NL
  • Tim Matson, Best Kind Productions
  • Pete Soucy, Citizen Representative (Business)
  • Nicole Rousseau, RCA Theatre Company
  • Lynn Panting, Untellable Movement Theatre
  • Lloydetta Quaicoe, Sharing Our Cultures Inc.
  • Jennifer Lundrigan, Canadian Heritage
  • Elizabeth Lawrence, Director of Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships
  • Théa Morash, Arts & Culture Development Coordinator
  • Karen Chafe
Regrets:
  • Jenelle Duval, First Light NL

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1.
CALL TO ORDER
 

1.1
Approval to Share Committee Member E-mail Addresses
 

As ATIPP legislation requires the protection of personal email addresses which would mean everyone would need to be blind copied, it was agreed by all present that email addresses could be shared among the group.

2.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
 

  • Moved ByDaniel Rumbolt
    Seconded ByNicole Rousseau

    That the agenda be adopted as presented.

    MOTION CARRIED

3.
ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
 

3.1
Adoption of Minutes - January 19, 2021
 

  • Moved ByJen Winsor
    Seconded ByLloydetta Quaicoe

    That the minutes of the meeting held on January 19, 2021 be adopted as presented. 

    MOTION CARRIED

4.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
 

4.1
Pedestrian Mall
 

Councillor Hanlon advised that the Committee of the Whole has recommended approval of a pedestrian mall in the Downtown (portions of Water St. and Duckworth St.).  It was agreed that this item be deferred and that any feedback members may have about the pedestrian mall, and how the arts may be incorporated within it, may be forwarded to Thea Morash.  

4.2
Arts Plan Review
 

Reference was made to the sub-committee struck to review the Arts Plan.  Members were requested to share their ideas today to aid the sub-committee in its work.  The following feedback was provided: 

  • The word "art" should be more prevalent within the arts plan, as opposed to tourism which would not exist without the arts.   
  • More funding across all arts and cultural programs as well as arts procurement.  More investment is needed to yield the rate of return proposed by the plan. 
  • More public space to rehearse, create and perform in, not just outdoors but indoors too.
  • More accessibility for the general public to experience art and the idea of surrounding people with art so it becomes part of the fabric.  If the arts is really a part of the City plan it should be everywhere as part of the City experience.
  • Reference was made to the arts collective that used to exist in the City and was a great creative force that does not exist today. The City's provision of small amounts of funding went a long way toward the creation of art and the development of projects that had lasting impact.  It seems that today's young artists do not have the opportunities that existed back in the late 1980's. There is a need to develop the next generation mindset.  
  • In the next few years there will be a real deficit for artists (both emerging and existing), and organizations with higher profile have potential to do better than those flying under radar.  The barrier for entry needs to be lowered, i.e. bureaucratic requirements for insurance and permits process are a challenge to overcome.  It was questioned how the City could facilitate, and not necessarily in terms of money but finding ways to leverage support. 
  • It was questioned how arts initiatives/opportunities could be incorporated within development applications, i.e. mandatory public space for art.  Staff advised that currently there is encouragement of such initiatives but they are not mandatory. 
  • The idea of creative hubs in the City for both the arts and business which facilitate the incubation of ideas.  More should be done to encourage the incorporation of the arts within development projects.  Street art should be more visible; more should be done to encourage the involvement of children in the arts  
  • The arts should be built in to the City's reimagination projects and not be an afterthought;
  • Free public accessibility to the arts; access to free spaces and free events blending genres, disciplines and cultures to remove people from silos;
  • Would like to see a city approach to bringing back an arts and culture newspaper both in print and electronic, supported by the City with other provincial/federal partnerships.  This would significantly increase the public's exposure to what's happening in the arts community. 
  • Encouragement of the newcomer artists and the creation of incubators and spaces for artists to work
  • Incorporation of new cultures into the arts community would be most beneficial
  • Exposure to arts on public transport - similar programs exist in other parts of world where artists' works are highlighted;
  • Increase the spaces to create and display artists' works
  • The pedestrian mall may be a great opportunity to incorporate arts focused events, displays, performances, short pop-up plays, musical performances
  • Placement of a giant screen on City Hall to display arts events to keep people informed of what’s happening in the City. It would be great to see poetry and drama in English and other languages.
  • Audience development and expansion is an area that requires more attention and encouragement.  There is a tendency for the same people to support the local arts industry and more needs to be done to expand the audience.
  • More partnerships with the organizations already in place doing this work, i.e. Music NL and Writers Alliance. 
  • More needs to be done to welcome new Canadians and encourage their art work.  Their voices need to be identified and be eligible for arts funding.
  • One big arts facility for all.  

Staff advised they will take all this feedback into consideration and will return to the Committee with an outline of what they heard.  The Chair also suggested that members provide any additional information/links if such are available in relation to the ideas they have expressed.

4.3
Incorporating Diversity/Inclusion in Decisions re: Calls
 

Thea requested members to think about ways in which the City can make calls for proposals more inclusive, particularly through the language that is used within these calls and how such language can be improved upon.  She has also reached out to the staff leads for the Inclusion Advisory Committee who are also reviewing this issue.   Staff will endeavor to create a first draft for eventual review by the Committees in question. 

Lynn referenced the recent call for the new city grants and the importance of ensuring that not only is there diversity in language but also in the selection review process and the people who oversee selection.  There could also be mentorship opportunities and ways to invite the diverse community to the table.    It was also noted that though inclusive language is an important first step, it is just "one leg of the table", and we also have to think about the actions it is supporting.  

The Chairperson suggested that additional feedback be provided by March 31st.

5.
OTHER BUSINESS
 

5.1
Cultural Laureate Jurisdictional Scan
 

Staff requested members' input about the rationale for expanding/evolving the position of poet and/or cultural laureate.  Staff will also develop a survey for circulation to other municipalities and would like the Committee's feedback on some sample questions to ask.  The following points were outlined by members:

  • The purpose of the poet laureate position was questioned and it was felt that the funding for such ($5000 per year) would be better reabsorbed into the literary industry as a whole, i.e metroverse program (poetry on the buses) or the establishment of a regular circular/magazine that reached more people. 
  • Is it a typical or common trend in other jurisdictions?
  • What types of cultural practices are included in broadened scope of Poet Laureate?
  • What is most important quality of the Poet Laureate and how does that impact the process, i.e. what is most important thing to bring to the role?
  • How can the City empower the Poet Laureate to make authentic cultural commentary.  It is not all good news and sometimes difficult truths need to be told.  How can such frank discourse be empowered?
  • In terms of the current position, does it acknowledge the work of the senior artist and/or is it more of an outreach role?
  • Renaming the position a cultural laureate may reframe the conversation to include other sectors, i.e. dance, performance, theater, etc.
  • Fears that it will become a politically appointed position with limited freedom of expression.
  • Some felt it was less productive to pick one person as a poet laureate rather than using those funds to fuel the economy of each subsection of the arts in a more diverse way.
  • What would that poet/cultural laureate role look like day to day and is it a role in which mentorship would happen, i.e. availability to schools, teaching etc. 
  • What would the day to day responsibilities be for that person. 
  • Are there places where the poet laureate position has been done right or wrong?  We can learn from the mistakes/experiences of others.
  • Is there potential for a broader range in the position? 
  • Fredericton has implemented a cultural laureate which is open to artists of all disciplines -  this could be a good starting point to figure out what has worked and what hasn't within the Atlantic region.
  • What is a cultural laureate? i.e. could an architect be a laureate? What are the definitions/qualifications for such a position?

It was agreed that the terms of reference for the poet laureate position be circulated to members and that members provide additional feedback to the Committee by April 8th if possible.

5.2
Poster By-Law Legislation
 

Reference was made to the City's recent approval of new legislation that would impose fines on those who place posters on utility poles.  This is a major concern to many in the arts community who rely on the use of posters to get exposure for their events, gigs, etc.  Reference was made to a letter from Sean Murray expressing objection to the new legislation.

Staff agreed to investigate and refer the matter to a future meeting of the Committee.

6.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
 

It was agreed that the next meeting be scheduled for May 27 at 2:00 pm.  Lloydetta suggested that given the length of the meeting, a five minute break mid-way would help members recharge.

7.
ADJOURNMENT
 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:53 pm.

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