|
CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
December 2, 2004 | |
Author: |
Cherryl Masters | |
Phone No.: |
604 871-6498 | |
RTS No.: |
04704 | |
CC File No.: |
1259 | |
Meeting Date: |
December 14, 2004 |
TO: |
Vancouver City Council |
FROM: |
Director, Office of Cultural Affairs |
SUBJECT: |
2005 Cultural Presentations at Council Meetings |
RECOMMENDATION
A. That Council APPROVE the renewal of the Cultural Presentations at Council Meetings initiative and authorize the signing of an agreement between the City of Vancouver and the Greater Vancouver Alliance for Arts and Culture Society, outlining the terms and conditions for the management of Cultural Presentations at all regularly scheduled City Council meetings.
B. That City Council APPROVE, in principle, an annual budget for the Cultural Presentations at Council Meetings Program of up to $18,000, on an ongoing basis. Funds have been provided in the Operating Budget.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services recommends approval of "A" and "B".
COUNCIL POLICY
On February 28, 2003 Council approved having regular cultural presentations at the beginning of Council meetings, based on a joint Memorandum provided at Council's request by the Director, Office of Cultural Affairs and the City Clerk.
PURPOSE
This report presents staff recommendations for the renewal of the Cultural Presentations at Council Meetings Program.
BACKGROUND
In response to a suggestion from Councillor Green, a program to facilitate arts and cultural presentations at Council meetings was approved by Council in 2003. The purpose of the program is to present brief cultural performances at regular Council meetings in order to reflect the cultural diversity and creative spirit of the community and to provide Council and artists the opportunity to celebrate arts as part of civic life.
The program is open to individual artists and arts and cultural organizations in all disciplines, at the community, emerging and professional levels. The program supports a diverse representation of cultural traditions.
The application process to the program is administered by the Greater Vancouver Alliance for Arts and Culture. Presenters are selected on the basis of set criteria which include artistic merit, history of public presentation, feasibility of performance within the parameters of the space, and satisfying broadcast requirements for appropriate content. Priority is given to residents of Vancouver or those who present primarily in Vancouver. Selection of the presenters is made by an independent community Selection Committee which meets 2 times per year. Artists are paid an honorarium in accordance with recognized industry standards and performance rights.
In 2004, fourteen performances were selected by the Selection Committee for the January to July period and eight were selected for the September to December period. The total cost of the program for 2004 was $18,000.
Complete program information, which includes a list of performers for 2004, is contained within the Annual Report, appended to this report as Appendix A.
DISCUSSION
The Program has been a success on many levels. Participating artists are pleased with the opportunity to present their work in this context and with the interest in arts and culture expressed by the Mayor and City Council. The quality and range of the work presented has been impressive. The Program and performances have also generated considerable interest from the media, the public and artists. As a result, the demand on the Program has increased by 100% since its inception.
In order to be more flexible and responsive to the demand and the diversity of activity occurring in the City, a few minor changes are proposed for 2005. These include rotating the members of the Selections Committee more frequently, increasing the number of juries from two to three, and programming only four months in advance (rather than six).
Proposed for 2005
The proposed budget for 2005 is estimated at $17,742. It is anticipated that up to 23 performances will be presented at the regularly scheduled Council meetings. Confirmation of the performances for 2005 will be announced shortly after Council approves the recommendations in this report.
2005 BUDGET
Artist Fees |
$5,750 |
SOCAN Fees |
667 |
Adjudication |
900 |
Marketing |
200 |
Coordinator |
6,500 |
Communications |
1,725 |
Administration |
2,000 |
Total |
$17,742 |
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
If Recommendations A and B are approved, up to $18,000 will be required on an annual basis. Funds have been provided in the Operating Budget.
CONCLUSION
The feedback for the Cultural Presentations at Council Meetings Program has been encouraging. By the end of 2004, twenty-two performances will have been presented in Council Chambers featuring music, dance, spoken word and theatre. Some work is being created specifically for a Council presentation where it would be seen for the first time.
The initiative has proven to be beneficial in providing a showcase for artistic and cultural diversity in Vancouver, including artistic expression in democratic deliberations, and enhancing Vancouver's reputation as a creative city. Staff recommend approval of the Cultural Presentations at Council Meetings Program on an ongoing basis.
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