MINUTES

MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE

OCTOBER 8, 2008

Meeting No. 7

 

PRESENT                                                      REGRETS                

 

Members

Matthew Korchinski

Lana Champion

Salim Manji

Joanne Olson

Stefania Pflugbeil

Regional Councillor Tony Wong

 

Staff

Linda Irvine, Mgr., Parks & Open Spaces
John Ryerson, Director of Culture

Bev Shugg Barbeito, Committee Clerk

Regrets

Judi McIntyre

Alina Tarbhai

 

 

 

 

The seventh meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee in 2008 convened at 7:10 PM with Matthew Korchinski presiding as Chair.

 

 

1.      ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON JUNE 11, 2008 AND SEPTEMBER 10, 2008.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Tony Wong

Seconded by Joanne Olson

 

THAT the minutes of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee held on June 11th, 2008 be adopted as distributed.

CARRIED

 

Moved by Joanne Olson

Seconded by Matthew Korchinski

 

THAT the minutes of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee held on September 10th, 2008 be adopted as distributed.

CARRIED

 

2.      MUNICIPAL PUBLIC ART PLAN

 

John Ryerson, Director of Culture, reported that he and Linda Irvine, Manager Parks & Open Spaces, had met to review the draft plan and to ensure the wording and ideas capture the essence of Markham.

 

For the benefit of members new to the committee, Linda Irvine briefly reviewed the history of the committee and its projects. The Markham Public Art Advisory Committee has been brought together to provide thoughts on public art purchases and donations. A policy framework had been developed for the committee in 2004 and the development of a more detailed and visionary Municipal Public Art Plan resulted. A consultant had been hired to assist the committee with the development of the plan but health issues have prevented her from assisting with finalizing it. John Ryerson and Linda Irvine are now working to shape it to Markham’s needs. Once finalized, permission will be requested from Council to obtain public feedback on the proposed plan. That feedback will be used to revise the plan before submitting it to Council for approval.

 

During this time, the Committee has undertaken one major event per year. These were usually held in the summer months; however, since art transcends all seasons, a winter event was held in February 2008 to coincide with the first Family Day holiday in Ontario. Funding for these events has been provided by Council; approximately $15,000 of the original budget remains and Linda Irvine has made a budget submission to reinstate the original budget.

 

3.      BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

A.     Liberty Developments – Cast Bronze Sculpture Update

      Linda Irvine, Manager Parks & Open Spaces, reported that this project has been placed on hold pending confirmation of ownership of the land and any future development of the land for highway improvements.

 

B.     Public Art Brochure

No update was available. It was suggested that a simple card could be used effectively to promote art in Markham and the Committee’s efforts, and that perhaps funds should be budgeted for a marketing campaign.

 

C.     Canadian Art Exhibit – Canada Day Celebrations

      This item was deferred to the next meeting.

 

D.    Update regarding Winter Festival and Art on Ice Sponsorship Package

 

      The sponsorship package material was distributed and reviewed by Committee members. Concern was expressed that too much emphasis was being placed on finding sponsorships to cover the costs of the event; another approach which might hold more promise involved asking companies to purchase an ice sculpture to be placed either at their place of business or at the winter festival site – Varley Art Gallery. Chair Matthew Korchinksi and John Ryerson agreed to draft such a package. John Ryerson advised that the Winter Festival event was well attended last year; the interactive painting activity for children was particularly well received.

 

      Concern was also expressed that the Committee might not have the resources necessary to coordinate the event successfully. New Committee members indicated they were in favour of being involved in planning and hosting an annual event. To increase the number of volunteers helping with these events, it was suggested that the Committee could partner with a high school or with the Seneca College tourism program and invite students to assist, or recruit volunteers through Information Markham and the Teen Arts Council. John Ryerson will contact Tourism Toronto for assistance with publicity.

     

Moved by Lana Champion

Seconded by Stefania Pflugbeil

 

THAT the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee agrees in principle to proceed with plans for the second Art on Ice event to be held on Family Day weekend in February 2009.

 

CARRIED

 

      Chair Matthew Korchinksi will contact the ice maker to advise the Committee’s plans.

 

      It was suggested that Committee members meet at the Varley Art Gallery before the next Committee meeting in order to help visualize where the event will occur. John Ryerson will confirm the proposed meeting time of Wednesday October 29 at 5:00 PM.

 

4.      NEW BUSINESS

 

Mr. Ryerson reminded Committee members that advocacy is needed at public meetings to remind developers that art is an important component of their developments.

 

5.      DATE FOR NEXT MEETING

 

      The date of the next scheduled meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee is

      Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 7:00 PM, in the Ontario Room.

 

6.      ADJOURNMENT

 

The seventh meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee adjourned at 8:40 PM.