Report to: General Committee                                    Date Report Authored: April 4, 2010

 

 

SUBJECT:                         Building a Creative Markham Update

PREPARED BY:              John Ryerson, Director of Culture

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

  1. That the staff report titled Building a Creative Markham Update dated April 4, 2010 be received, and;

 

  1. That the Building a Creative Markham  Planning, Vision and Guidelines (see Appendix A) be received and;

 

  1. That the terms of reference and appointments for Building a Creative Markham Advisory Committee be approved, and;

 

  1. That the Committee be comprised of the following:

 

§  Mayor ex-officio

§  Up to two members of Council

§  Chair of the Committee:  David Tsubouchi

§  One representative from each of the following Boards/Committees or their designate:

 

-          Varley-McKay Art Foundation

-          Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation

-          Markham Theatre Advisory Board

-          Markham Arts Council Board

-          Markham Concert Band

-          Markham Little Theatre

-          Heritage Markham Advisory Committee

-          Race Relations Advisory Committee

 

§     Seneca College representative

 

  1. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

1. Purpose  2. Background  3. Discussion  4. Financial  5. Others (Strategic, Affected Units)  6. Attachment(s)

 

 

PURPOSE:

 

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the cultural vision, guidelines and outcomes outlined in the Building a Creative Markham Planning, Vision and Guidelines document (Appendix A).   This document will guide the planning process and establish terms of reference and appointments for the Building a Creative Markham Advisory Committee.

 

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

On December 15, 2009 Council approved the process for undertaking a cultural plan for Markham. The first step was to establish the policy that would guide the planning process and to establish terms of reference for an advisory committee.  The committee will be made up of representatives of key stakeholder’s organizations, Council Representatives and will be supported by Culture Department staff.  The committee’s mandate will expire in June 2011.

 

The Province has approved funding of $40,000 from its Creative Communities Prosperity Fund.

 

DISCUSSION/OPTIONS:

 

The Cultural Plan will provide the direction for developing, managing, promoting and celebrating local cultural assets.  It will enable Markham to align its service delivery, organizational structure and investments with identified community priorities and objectives.

 

The cultural plan will position Markham as a leader in cultural asset management, development and inclusive community engagement.

 

The Building a Creative Markham Planning, Vision and Guidelines (Appendix A) will guide the planning process. 

 

The Guidelines establish the vision: “To enhance and promote cultural activity and expression in order to share diverse experiences and strengthen Markham’s cultural community”.

 

The Guidelines provide guiding principles that include our commitment to a broad and inclusive participation and measureable outcomes.  The Guidelines provide the Terms of Reference for the Building a Creative Markham Advisory Committee.   It is proposed that two members of Council and the Mayor ex-officio be on the committee.  Lastly the Guidelines delineate projected outcomes for the ten year plan in pursuit of excellence, continuous consultation, sense of place and promotional outcomes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The schedule is as follows:

Cultural Plan Development                       May 2010 to April 2011 (Phase 2)

o   Develop a strategy for community engagement, consultation and organization of data by May 2010

o   May – August 2010 data collection

o   August – December 2010 development of cultural plan

o   Cultural Plan development completion by December 31, 2010

o   Presentation to Council spring 2011

o   Final community consultation 2011

o   Implementation through 2012

o   Evaluation and performance monitoring 2013 – 2014

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

 

On December 15, 2009 Council approved a budget of $100,000 subject to funding in the amount of $50,000 from the Province. On March 15, 2010, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture approved Markham’s application to the Creative Communities Prosperity Fund in the amount of $40,000.  The Building a Creative Markham Policy and Plan budget has been reduced to $90,000 now that Provincial approval of $40,000 has been provided. There is virtually no impact on the plan as 80% of the reduction is in the Artscape workshop already delivered out of operating funds last year while waiting for grant approval.

 

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

 

The recent consultations for the Integrated Leisure Master Plan have informed the cultural recommendations which are reflected in the proposed project outcomes in the appended document.

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

 

Planning and Urban Design Department

Economic Development

Sustainability Office

Recreation

Directors Forum  

Clerks

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDED BY:

 

 

 

 

               ________________________               ________________________

               John Ryerson                                         Brenda Librecz

               Director of Culture                                Commissioner, Community &

                                                                              Fire Services                                 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix A – Building a Creative Markham – Vision and Guidelines