Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Director, Office of Cultural Affairs

SUBJECT:

Creative City Network and Conference
Cultural Capitals of Canada Program

 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

As approved on December 16, 1993, Council policy is to contribute to local conferences where senior staff is involved in presenting or organizing.
Grants require 8 affirmative votes of Council

PURPOSE

This is to:

· provide Council with detail on the new Cultural Capitals of Canada program and seek authorization to develop a proposal for Council's consideration.

BACKGROUND

Creative City Network

Being mindful of the efficiencies and benefits of sharing information and best practices, several years ago Cultural Affairs staff in the Cities of Vancouver and Toronto launched an Internet-based communications network. This listserv, called Culture-L, connects cultural development staff in municipalities throughout Canada. The intent was and is to strengthen and improve the practice of cultural planning and development, and to support the efforts of staff in communities nation-wide.

Since then, Vancouver's OCA staff have led the initiative at both regional and national levels to grow the membership, to develop more comprehensive and effective communications links, and to provide more content and better services to this developing community of practice. These efforts were endorsed by Council March 27, 2001, and have since been funded by the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation, the Department of Canadian Heritage, and the British Columbia Arts Council. The membership, comprising approximately 150 people in 70 municipalities coast to coast, and the digital hub communications link, are now called the Creative City Network of Canada / RJseau des

villes crJatives du Canada. Brief descriptions and a copy of the Action Plan are attached as Appendix A.

In addition to the communications network, the membership recognizes the value of face-to-face meetings and professional development sessions, and has been planning a conference in Vancouver this year. On behalf of the membership, the Director of OCA has submitted a further sponsorship request to the Department of Canadian Heritage. At the recent FCM Convention, Minister Sheila Copps announced that her Department will support the founding conference of the Creative City Network and, on the basis of this commitment, staff are now confident that it will take place at Simon Fraser University's Wosk Centre for Dialogue between November 6-9th of this year.

The Cultural Capitals of Canada Program

On May 31, 2002, the Department of Canadian Heritage also announced the Cultural Capitals of Canada program, a matching funding awards program focused on municipal cultural development.

The 2-year awards program is structured as a competition that provides winning cities with recognition for past achievements as well as matching funds (of up to $500,000 toward new civic initiatives). These funds are directed toward two types of initiatives: (1) activities that celebrate culture and build a legacy for arts and culture through community planning, and (2) innovative projects involving partnership activities that celebrate community identity through cultural exchanges among communities in at least two provinces. The first deadline for submission is October 18, 2002. Please see Appendix B, attached.

DISCUSSION

Creative City Network

Vancouver OCA staff have been at the forefront in creating both the Creative City Network and the upcoming conference. Based on the growth in membership, testimonials to the value of participation in the Network, and the indicators on registration for the conference, the initiatives are addressing a need and have sparked a level of interest that have significantly exceeded our original expectations.

This November's event will be the first in which cultural planning staff from throughout Canada have come together for professional development as a community of practice. Vancouver staff will not only host the conference but will also play a central role in the program, including presentations and participation on a number of panels. The City will also host the server (purchased from donated funds) supporting the Creative City Network. Staffhave also undertaken to raise funds to offset some conference costs to ensure the broadest possible participation from across the country. Funding has been received or is anticipated from the Department of Canadian Heritage, The BC Arts Council, and the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation. Since some funders prefer to direct funding through the municipality, staff request Council authorization to flow such funds through the City of Vancouver to the Creative City Network.

In keeping with Council Policy with regard to contributing to conferences in which staff members are playing a key role, the Director Office of Cultural Affairs requests Council approval of a grant in the amount of $5,000.

Cultural Capitals of Canada Program
The Cultural Capitals of Canada Program is based on the understanding that arts and culture play important roles in building innovative, attractive, and healthy communities and contribute in important ways to quality of life. The Program recognizes excellence in cultural development actions by municipalities and offers municipalities matching funds of up to $500,000 to help them undertake large-scale activities. The Program will give awards to communities that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the arts and culture. These awards will provide matching support for a program of special activities that celebrate the arts and culture and build a legacy for the community by further integrating arts and culture into community planning.

The Program provides an opportunity to move ahead on civic priorities and possibly to receive federal resources in support of a key initiative. The City of Vancouver meets all of the eligibility criteria and the City's comprehensive approach to cultural planning and development makes it nationally competitive in such a program. It should be noted that should the City of Vancouver be declared Canadian Cultural Capital in 2003, it would be particularly welcome as 2003 will be the 2010 Olympic Bid decision year.

Cultural Affairs staff propose to consult and work with community partners to develop a submission for one of the national awards. Preliminary explorations suggest there may be potential for development of a cultural tourism strategy and implementation plan, or development of a community cultural celebration event, or some combination of the two. Other prospects will also be explored. Staff will be seeking additional financial contributors as well as planning and implementation partners.

Staff will report back with a completed proposal for Council's consideration.

CONCLUSION

The Creative City Network founding conference will be an important bilingual gathering of up to 100 participants representing as many as 70 Canadian municipalities from coast to coast. In keeping with Council policy, staff RECOMMEND that Council approve a grant in the amount of $5,000 to the conference.

The Cultural Capitals of Canada Program offers an opportunity to pursue civic priorities and staff recommend that Council authorize preparation of a proposal, in consultation with potential community partners, and report back for Council's consideration.

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ag020723.htm

APPENDIX A

List of contents
A-1 Creative City Network: Conference (one page summary)
A-2 Creative City Network: Network (one page summary)
A-3 Creative City Network: Action Plan

APPENDIX B

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