TAMRMS#: B06
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Artist Mentorship Program Subsidy
Notice given by: Councillor Hughes
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BUDGET POSTPONED MOTION:
recommendation
The artist mentorship program subsidy for $10,000 is discontinued and the savings is applied to reduce the tax base.
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Administration’s Understanding of the Intent of the Motion:
As there is no standalone artist mentorship program or subsidy in the Community Services operating budget, it is understood that the motion is meant to reduce general support and mentorship for the City’s cultural groups, artists and events (currently found within the Community Development operating budget) in the amount of $10,000.
Operational or Organizational Impacts if Motion is Approved:
The related Service Levels are Community Event Hosting, including Live Entertainment Events (B5.1.a) and Cultural Networking Events (B5.1.e) for the City’s cultural sector, as well as Performing and Visual Arts Programming including Youth Cultural Programming (G2.1.c). These services are addressed through the Community Development operating budget. This budget is used to carry out ongoing formal programs such as The Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts, the Young Artist’s Legacy Award grant program, and a variety of informal and responsive programs and events depending on the current and evolving needs of the cultural community. These operational dollars support, amongst other things:
• Remembrance Day ceremonies
• The maintenance and monitoring of a culture map for the city,
• Guidance and support for new cultural organizations in our community (e.g. St. Albert Latin Cultural Association, Africans and African Descendant Club)
• Capacity building for artists and existing non-profit organizations (networking and showcase opportunities, grant writing workshops, master classes with artists in various fields, board development training for cultural societies, etc).
Mentorship is imbedded across these activities and programming areas rather than being a stand-alone program or approach - whether introducing a new society to an established board from a like-minded organization or allowing an emerging artist to work alongside and contribute to some aspect of an established artist’s work, performance or presentation.
Aside from the fixed costs associated with Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts, Young Artists Legacy Awards, Poet Laureate Program, Remembrance Day support, etc, approximately $14,000 is available to respond to the needs of the cultural community and to provide access, support, assistance, mentorship and programming for residents, artists, and arts and cultural organizations. A reduction of $10,000 in this area would reduce the ability to provide this programming and support as the creative sector continues to respond to the impacts of the Pandemic.
Financial Implications of Motions:
A reduction of $10,000 from the operation funds set aside to support arts and cultural organizations and artists in the community, leaving approximately $4,000 annually for such support. Reduction of $10,000 to the overall tax base.
Stakeholder Consultations:
Because the funds are not tied to a particular or isolated program, specific stakeholder consultations are not required. However, communication should be prepared advising individuals and organizations of a reduction in general service provision.
Background:
• The net Community Development budget for Culture in 2019 was $193,600
• The net Community Development budget for Culture in 2020 was $144,400
• The net Community Development budget for Culture in the 2022 budget is $74,500
Artistic mentorship for youth only was previously formalized through the Amplify Festival program. That program was dissolved in 2020 and accommodated within the department’s community development work (AR-20-279 and CB-20-068). Some of the community development funds are still used to support youth artists (not only through mentorship but through workshops, projects, performances and other artistic and leadership opportunities).
Included in the current Community Development budget is $15,000 for an artist micro grant program which is awaiting the creation of an attending policy. The creation of this policy is dependent on the current organization-wide grant review being conducted and slated to be presented to Council in Q1, 2022.
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Report Date: December 2, 2021
Authors: Andrea Gammon/Elizabeth Wilkie
Department: Community Services
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble