TAMRMS#: B06
7.2
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Arts Development Advisory Committee Recommendation - Support an Artist for 2025 Children’s Festival
Presented by: Emily Baker, Chair, Arts Development Advisory Committee
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That $12,000.00 be withdrawn from the Public Art Reserve to support an artist to activate a space for 2025 Children’s Festival.
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SUMMARY
The report is being brought forward to Council as a result of a recommendation from the Arts Development Advisory Committee meeting on September 11, 2024.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Over the last few years, Public Art funds have been used to support public art opportunities for attendees and community members to enjoy during the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival of the Arts (NAICF). These projects typically cost more than $50,000. Committing to large-scale projects on an annual basis for NAICF programming from the Public Art Reserve would limit St. Albert’s capacity to secure lasting public artworks within our Public Art Collection while also having an impact on workplans. To ensure sustainable growth, Administration recommended to Arts Development Advisory Committee a strategic approach that balances ambitious projects with the long-term goals of enhancing public art and optimizing operational efficiency. For the 2025 Children’s Festival, Administration would work with local artists (Alberta) who have installation-based practices, inviting them to come partake in activating areas within or around St. Albert Place for the duration of the festival, and potentially the weeks after depending on the materials and location of the work.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
N/A
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
If approved by Council, $12,000 will be withdrawn for the Public Art Reserve to support this work. As of August 31, 2024 there is $1,053,604.36 in the reserve of which $564,886.42 is available for art acquisition.
Compliance & Legal:
This recommendation is in alignment with C-CS-25 Public Art and Bylaw No. 9/2020.
Program or Service:
Public Art initiatives have successfully attracted a diverse range of community members, including families and individuals, to the NAICF over the past several years. These initiatives offer a unique visual experience that brings joy and excitement to visitors of St. Albert Place and downtown during the festival.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
Reducing the scale of these installations may affect visitor attraction. Event planning will take this potential impact into account when developing its approach.
Stakeholder
Friends of NAICF have taken pride in the diverse demographic attendance of the Festival, partially driven by the scale of Public Art installations. A reduction in the scale of these installations may disappoint this registered charity. It will be important for Administration to proactively inform and engage this supporting organization, involving them in generating excitement around the approach for 2025 to mitigate potential concerns.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
None at this time
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
B.1.1.f Northern Alberta International Children's Festival of the Arts
G.1.5 Public Art Collection, Facilitate procurement and maintenance of the City’s Public Art Collection
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
ALTERNATIVE 1: If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
There will be no public art installations funded from the Public Art reserve at the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival of the Arts in 2025.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
No money would be spent from the Public Art Reserve. If an art installation was identified as a necessary component for a successful event operating dollars would be used.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
Public Art initiatives have successfully attracted a diverse range of community members, including families and individuals, to the NAICF over the past several years. These initiatives offer a unique visual experience that brings joy and excitement to visitors of St. Albert Place and downtown during the festival.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
Reducing the scale of these installations may affect visitor attraction. Event planning will take this potential impact into account when developing its approach.
Stakeholder
Friends of NAICF have taken pride in the diverse demographic attendance of the Festival, partially driven by the scale of Public Art installations. A reduction in the scale of these installations may disappoint this registered charity. It will be important for Administration to proactively inform and engage this supporting organization, involving them in generating excitement around the approach for 2025 to mitigate potential concerns.
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Report Date: October 1, 2024
Author(s): Jacilyn Blackwood
Department: Community Services
Department Director: Elizabeth Wilkie
Managing Director: Diane Enger
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher