AGENDA

Arts and Culture Advisory Committee

Friday, May 25, 2018 12:00 pm

Conference Room “A” City Hall

AGENDA Arts and Culture Advisory Committee May 25, 2018 – 12:00 pm. - Conference Room A, 4th Floor, City Hall

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

a. Minutes of January 26, 2016

4. DELEGATIONS / PRESENTATIONS

a. Budget Presentation - Victoria Etchegary, Organizational Performance & Strategy

5. BUSINESS ARISING

a. Decision Note dated May 17, 2018 re: City of St. John's Poet Laureate Position

b. Decision Note dated April 6, 2018 re: Municipal Arts Plan Check-In

6. NEW BUSINESS

a. Information Note dated May 17, 2018 re: Mural Project

b. Information Note dated May 17, 2018 re: Public Art

7. OTHER BUSINESS

8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

9. ADJOURNMENT

MINUTES ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING January 26, 2018 – 12:00 p.m. – Conference Room A, 4th Floor City Hall

Present: Suzanne Mullett, Resource Centre for the Arts, Chairperson Rebekah Robbins, Music NL Patrick Foran, Artistic Fraud of NL Inc. Richard Stoker, DanceNL Wendi Smallwood, Writers’ Alliance NL Rebecca Moyse- Canadian Heritage – Atlantic Region Michelle Haire, Canadian Heritage Terri Andrews, TaDa! Events Bryhanna Greenough, Citizen Representative Councillor Maggie Burton, Council Representative Elizabeth Lawrence, Director – Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships Thea Morash, Arts and Culture Development Coordinator Stacey Fallon, Legislative Assistant

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The agenda was adopted as presented by unanimous consent. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

The Minutes of November 14, 2016 - and April 17, 2017 were adopted by unanimous consent, noting there was Quorum at the November 14th meeting but there was not at the April 17, 2017. BUSINESS ARISING

Decision Note dated April 11, 2017 re: Municipal Arts Plan “Planning for a Creative Future” check-in The Arts and Culture Development Coordinator advised the Committee that this decision note was on the last agenda and it was agreed to at that time proceed with a portal vote due to not having Quorum to organize a small group of Arts and Culture Advisory Committee Members to strike a subcommittee along with EDCP staff to begin a “check- in” Process. There was not enough response to this vote so it is back again for consideration. The subcommittees directive is to look at the Arts Plan an determine if there is a requirement to readjust or create a new plan and what that process should look like if so

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Recommendation Patrick, Rebekah, Michelle, Thea and Elizabeth will form the subcommittee and meet after the meeting to set a time in an attempt to secure the first meeting and move this forward. Information Note dated January 18, 2018 re: Advisory Committee Forum Recommendations The Arts and Culture Development Coordinator briefed the Committee on the above noted. She advised that after the 1 year check in on the advisory committee review a report was presented and approved by Council. As a result of that, the terms of reference is being reviewed and amended where applicable to reflect those recommendations including the term commitment. She further advised that if the terms of references are approved by Council as proposed, some members would need to make a decision if they wanted to remain for another term as their terms would be up. Information Note dated January 9, 2018 re: Vacant Storefront Window ‘Animation’ The Arts and Culture Development Coordinator updated the Committee on the continued ongoing project. It was noted that it has been moving along slowly but we had lost one of our graphic arts partners for a set amount of time last year. She showed the Committee the next project which is located at 155 Water Street. It was suggested that the Arts and Culture Committee cross over with other groups and partners to maybe broaden where we go with this project. NEW BUSINESS

Decision Note dated January 18, 2018 re: City of St. John’s Artist in Residence The Arts and Culture Development Coordinator presented the above noted decision note to the Committee for consideration. There was some discussion on the wording being used in the decision note and it was decided that The Arts and Culture Development Coordinator would amend the wording to not use the term Artist in Residence and it would be accepted by the Committee. Recommendation The recommendation was to strike a small working group to explore this potential evolution further, and bring their findings back to the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. Wendi, Terri, and Thea would form this group. It was questioned if a Council member was allowed to sit on a Sub Committee, Clarity will need to be gotten and if allowed Councillor Maggie Burton would like to be a part of this Sub Committee as well.

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OTHER BUSINESS

Downtown Parking Ban Pilot Project A discussion took place on the New Pilot downtown Parking ban between the hours of 3:30 and 6 am and the effects it was having on musicians and artists who are working during those hours and having a lot of equipment to load and offload at those hours. It was asked that this get passed along to the Police and Traffic Committee for them to consider options. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was scheduled for May 4th, 2018. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m. Suzanne Mullett Chairperson

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

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Title: City of St. John’s Poet Laureate Position

Date Prepared: May 17, 2018

Report To: Arts and Culture Advisory Committee Councillor and Role: Councillor Maggie Burton, Council Champion

Ward: N/A

Issue: Municipal Poet Laureate Position

Discussion – Background and Current Status: Following the January 26 meeting of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, a small working group was formed and met on January 29 to discuss the concept of broadening the municipal Laureate position to be inclusive of other arts disciplines (following the Decision Note dated January 18 “City of St. John’s Laureate Position”). The working group was comprised as follows:

• Councillor Maggie Burton, Council Champion • Terri Andrews, Public Member (Business) • Wendi Smallwood, Writers’ Alliance of NL • Théa Morash, City of St. John’s

After a comprehensive discussion, the working group concluded that the Poet Laureate position should be maintained for now, but the term decreased to two years from the current four-year term (with the possibility of extension for an additional two years if appropriate); and that the Poet Laureate Terms of Reference should be refined and strengthened to increase focus on tangible activities and outcomes, and a call seeking a new Poet Laureate should be circulated as soon as is reasonable.

This above recommendation was approved by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee through an e-poll circulated on February 21, 2018 via email, and the Laureate Working Group has now prepared two draft documents for approval by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee: A Poet Laureate Terms of Reference, and Selection Process Document (attached).

Key Considerations/Implications:

1. Budget/Financial Implications: The budget for the position ($5,000 per annum) would remain unchanged.

2. Partners or Other Stakeholders: Groups represented on the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee

DECISION NOTE

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

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3. Alignment with Strategic Directions/Adopted Plans: Planning for a Creative Future – The City of St. John’s Municipal Arts Plan; Roadmap 2021 “A Leading Canadian Artistic Metropolis,” Corporate Strategy Plan Directions: “Fiscally Responsible,” “Neighbourhoods Build our City,” “A Culture of Cooperation.”

4. Legal or Policy Implications: Amendment of Terms of Reference

5. Engagement and Communications Considerations: Calls for applications would be coordinated with the City’s Marketing and Communications Division.

6. Human Resource Implications: Staff from Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships.

7. Procurement Implications: N/A

8. Information Technology Implications: N/A

9. Other Implications: N/A

Recommendation: That the two attached draft documents be approved by the Arts and Cutlure Advisory Committee, subject to any amendments recommended and approved by the Committee. Following approval, the documents will be forwarded to Committee of the Whole for approval.

Prepared by/Signature: Théa Morash, Arts & Cultural Development Coordinator

Approved by/Date/Signature: Elizabeth Lawrence, Director, Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships

Attachments:

Terms of Reference - Poet Laureate 2018-2019

Selection Process - Poet Laureate 2018-2019

Page 1 of 2

City of St. John’s Poet Laureate 2018 Selection Process Eligibility: Applicants to the position of Poet Laureate must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current resident of St. John’s; • Have made a significant contribution to poetry or spoken word and the literary life of the City; • Be prepared to accept the responsibilities of the position and be accustomed to citizen

engagement and community outreach; and, • Be professionally published according to one or more of the following criteria:

o A trade book or chapbook; o Print publications in recognized literary journals, anthologies, or periodicals; and/or o Sufficient audio recording (videos, CDs, and/or tapes), broadcasting or spoken word

performance.

The selection committee will review the applications, make a selection and submit their recommendation to the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. Upon acceptance by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, the recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for approval. St. John’s City Council will appoint the Poet Laureate at a meeting of Council. Submissions: Submission format: PDF document in 8.5”x11” Portrait format, not to exceed a file size of 5MB Submissions must include the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae; 2. Confirmation of place of residence; 3. Letter of Intent of 500 words maximum detailing the applicant’s goals and objectives in terms of

how they would represent the City of St. John’s; considerations could include: • How the applicant would engage with members of the public, including communities and

issues of interest to the applicant; • How the applicant would engage with local arts, culture, and community organizations; • How the applicant would use digital engagement and social media platforms to interact

with community and advocate for the literary arts; 4. A maximum of 5 examples of work selected from within the last 10 years; and 5. A bio of no more than 250 words to be used on the City’s website if the application is selected.

The deadline to submit is DATE TBD. Please email submissions to arts@stjohns.ca, using subject line: 2018 Poet Laureate.

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Selection: The City of St. John's Arts and Culture Advisory Committee will form a selection committee of no more than five (5) members for selection of the Poet Laureate. The selection committee will consist of members who have achieved excellence in the field of poetry and the literary arts, and citizens with a vested interest in promoting the literary arts in St. John’s. Selection is based on the following rationale:

• Community and Professional Standing: The candidate’s contribution to the field of poetry, including storytelling and spoken word, and the literary and cultural life of the St. John’s. The impact they have made within the City, and amongst peers. (20 points)

• Excellence in Craft: The quality of the candidate’s submitted work in relation to the expectations of the Poet Laureate position. (30 points)

• Citizen Engagement: The candidate’s preparedness to accept the responsibilities of the position. The candidate is accustomed to public presentation, citizen engagement and community outreach. (25 points)

• Goals and Objectives: The candidate’s goals listed for the two‐year term as Poet Laureate are realistic, achievable and relevant to the citizens St. John’s. (25 points)

Proposed Timeline:

• DATE TBD - Call for nominations circulated • DATE TBD - Deadline for receipt of nominations • DATE TBD - Selection Committee nominations review and selection of Poet Laureate • DATE TBD - Recommendations presented to the Arts Advisory Committee and Committee of

the Whole and, upon approval, presented to City Council for approval. • DATE TBD - Poet Laureate presented at a meeting of Council

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City of St. John’s Poet Laureate 2018 Terms of Reference Overview: The position of Poet Laureate is an honour bestowed by the City as a way of acknowledging and celebrating poets, poetry and their value and contribution to civic life. Through the Poet Laureate the City recognizes poetry, and all art, as a fundamental and necessary component of society. The City of St. John’s Poet Laureate will act as an ambassador for poetry and by doing so will integrate poetry into a range of official and unofficial civic and community events. Term: The Poet Laureate will serve for two years (DATES TBD) with the possibility of extension for an additional two-year term, if recommended by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. Terms of Reference: The duties of the Poet Laureate will be kept deliberately modest in order to leave incumbents free to concentrate on their own projects. The Poet Laureate will be responsible to shape the position according to priorities agreed upon in consultation with the City of St. John’s. Their duties will include:

• Contribute high quality, imaginative, and insightful work to appropriate civic functions by reading or reciting their own or others’ work, including:

o Compose and present poems within the widest possible scope about the City’s history, culture, landscape, and life for official City events and occasions at least once a year to City Council during National Poetry Month (April) and at a minimum of four other official Municipal events to be determined annually in coordination with relevant municipal staff;

o In addition, participate in various other events as required; • Invite other poets to read their work at various events; • Raise the profile of the City’s poetry community both locally and farther afield; • Provide advice to the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee on issues pertaining to literature,

poetry, and the status of writers; • Attend meetings of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee at least once annually, to report on

their experience and activities as Poet Laureate; • Liaise with municipal staff on a regular basis, including providing a written report on their

experience as Poet Laureate at the conclusion of their term.

The City offers an honorarium of $5,000 annually and office/administrative support, (i.e. a mailing address and support for routine office tasks such as correspondence, booking meeting rooms etc.). The City will promote the Poet Laureate’s work through its regular communication channels.

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

Title: Municipal Arts Plan Check-In

Date Prepared: April 6, 2018

Report To: Arts and Culture Advisory Committee

Councillor and Role: Councillor Maggie Burton, Council Champion

Ward: N/A

Decision/Direction Required: The Municipal Arts Plan Review Subcommittee recommends that a new/renewed arts plan is needed; that the current subcommittee be maintained to continue this work by creating a framework/process through which a new plan may be developed.

Discussion – Background and Current Status:

A subcommittee was formed to determine whether a new/renewed Municipal Arts Plan was needed. The Subcommittee was comprised as follows:

• Patrick Foran (MTA, Artistic Fraud of NL) • Michele Haire (Canadian Heritage) • Rebekah Robbins (Music NL) • Elizabeth Lawrence (City of St. John’s) • Théa Morash (City of St. John’s)

Following a review of the current arts plan (“Planning for a Creative Future”) and a discussion of the changing landscape in various respects (e.g. increased focus on inclusion, accessibility, reconciliation, new City plans developed after the creation of the arts plan and which intersect, etc.), the subcommittee recommends that a new/renewed plan is needed for the City.

The existing Subcommittee as comprised above recommends that it be maintained to continue this work by creating a framework/process through which a new plan may be developed. The process may include the following:

• Liaison with provincial government as it renews its cultural strategy; • In-person engagement with stakeholders (artists, arts organizations, etc.); • Jurisdictional review of arts plans and cultural plans across Canada and other relevant

municipalities; • Review of other City of St. John’s Plans (Corporate Strategy Plan, Economic Roadmap 2021,

etc.) • Liaison with other City departments/divisions (Planning, Recreation, etc.)

DECISION/DIRECTION NOTE

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Once a framework/process has been developed it will be referred back to this committee for discussion/approval.

Key Considerations/Implications:

1. Budget/Financial Implications: N/A

2. Partners or Other Stakeholders: Groups represented on the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee; the City’s arts and cultural community at large.

3. Alignment with Strategic Directions/Adopted Plans: Planning for a Creative Future – The City of St. John’s Municipal Arts Plan; Roadmap 2021 “A Leading Canadian Artistic Metropolis,” Corporate Strategy Plan Directions: “Responsive and Progressive,” “Fiscally Responsible,” “A Culture of Cooperation.”

4. Legal or Policy Implications: Changes to Municipal Arts Plan

5. Engagement and Communications Considerations: Engagement with Arts Community and Community at large may be appropriate further into the process.

6. Human Resource Implications: Staff from Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships.

7. Procurement Implications: N/A

8. Information Technology Implications: N/A

9. Other Implications: N/A

Recommendation: Municipal Arts Plan Review Subcommittee recommends that a new/renewed arts/cultural plan is needed; that the current subcommittee be maintained to continue this work by creating a process through which a new plan can be developed.

Prepared by/Signature: Théa Morash, Arts and Cultural Development Coordinator

Approved by/Date/Signature: Elizabeth Lawrence, Director, Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships

Attachments: Planning for a Creative Future: The City of St. John’s Municipal Arts Plan

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

Title: 2018 Mural Project

Date Prepared: May 17, 2018

Report To: Councillor Maggie Burton, Council Representative, Arts & Culture Advisory Committee

Ward: N/A

Issue: To provide an overview of the Mural Project in 2018.

Discussion – Background and Current Status:

Since 2005 the City has contracted artists to design and complete several murals throughout St. John’s including our Great Fire of 1892 mural on McBride’s Hill, the George Street East Stairwell, Victoria Street Steps; Duckworth Street; Flowers Hill; Battery Road; Blackhead Road; and Scanlan’s Lane. The annual budget for this program is $20,000. Murals enliven and beautify the City, reduce unwanted graffiti, and provide an opportunity to engage residents and visitors with art.

This year the City was presented with a unique and valuable partnership opportunity to work with Eastern Edge Art Gallery in carrying out our annual mural project. Eastern Edge presented Identify: A Celebration of Indigenous Arts and Culture (http://easternedge.ca/identify/) from April 8-22, and one of the featured visiting artists was Jordan Bennett, a mi’kmaq artist and Newfoundlander with significant large-scale mural and public art experience (see bio below). He participated in several aspects of the festival, including the design and creation of a mural in partnership with the City of St John’s, at 2-4 Queen’s Road. This location is ideal: it is City-owned, subject to significant pedestrian activity, the mural enlivens a greenspace adjacent to some of the City’s affordable housing units (see image below).

Key Considerations/Implications:

1. Budget/Financial Implications The City contributed $19,400 toward the cost of the mural. This amount has already been approved in the Arts & Culture Development budget for 2018.

2. Partners or Other Stakeholders Eastern Edge Gallery was a partner on the project. Jordan Bennett is the visual artist completing the mural. Visual Artists NL, the sector organization for visual artists in the province, was also consulted to ensure appropriate processes would be followed. Benjamin Moore/The Paint Shop donated all required paint for the project.

INFORMATION NOTE

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

3. Alignment with Strategic Directions/Adopted Plans Neighborhoods build our City – Maintain and position downtown as a distinct neighborhood. Develop parks and places for people. Responsive and Progressive – Become a welcoming and inclusive City. A Culture of Cooperation - City of St. John's does not operate in isolation, and has developed cooperative and collaborative relationships that are beneficial to supporting our dynamic sustainable capital city. A City for All Seasons- Support year-round tourism and industry activity

4. Legal or Policy Implications Eastern Edge Gallery and the artist were required to enter into a contract with the City of St. John’s that stipulates the project components, work and payment schedules, and responsibilities of both parties. The contract includes details related to contractor safety, health and safety, and insurance.

5. Engagement and Communications Considerations The project was promoted through the City’s communications channels. The project also benefitted from the promotion being carried out by Eastern Edge Gallery.

6. Human Resource Implications

Eastern Edge Gallery was the administrative and artist liaison lead on the project, with support from City EDCP staff, Human Resources, Legal, and Corporate Risk and Recovery.

7. Procurement Implications N/A

8. Information Technology Implications N/A

9. Other Implications N/A

Conclusion/ Next Steps:

An “unveiling” of the mural took place on April 25, 2018 with the artist, partners, and media in attendance (media release can be found here: http://stjohns.ca/media-release/city-unveils-mural-queens-road). Images and supplementary information about the design will be published on the City’s website.

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

Prepared by/Signature:

Théa Morash, Arts & Cultural Development Coordinator, Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships

Signature:

Approved by/Date/Signature:

Elizabeth Lawrence, Director; Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships Division

Signature:

Tanya Haywood, Deputy City Manager, Community Services- May 25, 2016

Signature:

Attachments:

Image of Mural Site (2-4 Queen’s Road):

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

Bio – Jordan Bennett, Mi’kmaq- Stephenville Crossing Ktaqamkuk (Newfoundland) BFA, MFA

Jordan's ongoing practice utilizes painting, sculpture, video, installation and sound to explore land, language, the act of visiting, familial histories and challenging colonial perceptions of indigenous histories, stereotypes and presence with a focus on exploring Mi’kmaq and Beothuk visual culture of Ktaqamkuk. In the past 10 years Jordan has participated in over 75 group and solo exhibitions nationally and internationally in venues such as the National Museum of the American Indian, NYC; MAC-VAL, Paris; The Museum of Art and Design, NYC, NY; Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, Santa Fe, NM; Project Space Gallery, RMIT, Melbourne, AUS; The Winnipeg Art Gallery, The Power Plant,

Toronto, ON; Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, Montreal, QC; Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France and was one of two artists to represent Newfoundland and Labrador in the 2015 Venice Biennial at Galleria Ca’Rezzonico, Venice, Italy as part of the official

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

Collateral Events. Jordan has taken part in several artist in residency programs including With Secrecy and Despatch, Campbelltown Art Centre, Campbelltown, Australia in 2015, RMIT University international Artist in Residence Program, Melbourne, Australia in 2014, Shared Lands- Centre D'artistes Vaste et Vague, Carleton-sur-Mer, Quebec and Woodland School, What Color is the Present, Visual Arts, The Banff Centre, Alberta in 2013. Jordan served as the inaugural Indigenous Artist IN Residence at the University of Alberta, Edmonton from 2012-13. He has been the recipient of several awards and honours most notably long listed for the 2016 and 2015 Sobey Art Award, a Hnatyshan Foundation REVEAL award, presented with the 2014 Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Councils Artist of the Year and named as one of the artists in the 2014 Blouin ARTINFO's Top 30 under 30 in Canada. Jordan is currently working on several projects including various artistic collaborations, commissions and exhibitions.

https://www.jordanbennett.ca/

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

Title: Public Art

Date Prepared: May 17, 2018

Report To: Councillor Maggie Burton, Council Representative, Arts & Culture Advisory Committee

Ward: N/A

Issue: To provoke thought and discussion about what public art is and what its aim(s) can/should be, to consider how the City of St. John’s can broaden how it encourages the development and creation of art in public, and how art in public can be reflected in the City’s new/renewed arts plan.

Discussion – Background and Current Status:

The City’s involvement in public art projects has been largely focused on murals. Since 2005 the City has contracted artists to design and complete several murals that enliven and beautify the City, reduce unwanted graffiti, and provide an opportunity to engage residents and visitors with art. The City has also worked with partners to install several sculptures throughout the City (see attached public art map).

The City does not currently have one thorough public art policy, but a series of policies that cover various areas related to public art:

• Commissions of Artwork (# 09-05-03) • Donations of Artwork (# 09-05-04) • Art Procurement (# 09-05-02) [this program is currently suspended]

The City’s Municipal Arts Plan, Planning for a Creative Future, notes the significance of public art as a strength to build on in the City:

INFORMATION NOTE

Excerpt from Municipal Arts Plan, Planning for a Creative Future Public Art One of the first achievements of the Arts Advisory Committee was the creation of a Public Art Policy and Program for the City of St. John’s. This included reinstating the Art Procurement Program, doubling its budget, and revising the policies and procedures for public art. These policies and procedures have been developed to ensure open, fair, and equitable competitions while at the same time ensuring that a quality art collection is built (Appendix III).

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

As well, one of the priorities for action in the plan’s Strategic Direction D: Public Engagement with the Arts, is that “The City will collaborate with the arts community to review its public arts policies and to more effectively animate its Public Art Collection.”

It may be more fruitful to think of “art in public” rather than “public art,” as the latter may carry connotations that limit our perception of what is and isn’t possible/permissible. For example, “public art” is often equated to something permanent, like a sculpture. In reality, “art in public” need not have a permanent/indefinite life span, and plenty of significant and memorable “art in public” may be transitory (e.g. Kurt Perschke’s Red Ball Project).

“Art in public” can also vary a great deal in content. “Public art” need not be limited to monuments, men on horses, or historical murals; “art in public” can be playful and provocative (e.g. Martin Heuwold’s Lego Bridge in Wuppertal, Germany).

There are many different models through which a City can develop art in public as well, beyond a public call, or a commission. The City of Toronto, for example, has a “stART” program which helps match artists with private property owners struggling with unwanted graffiti. The City helps with material costs and all three parties work together to have a mural installed on the property.

In St. John’s, Clean St. John’s has an ongoing Traffic Box Art Program that sees several traffic boxes painted by local artists each year. Could that program be expanded beyond traffic boxes to further beautify the City?

This year, the City is currently undertaking a neighbourhood street art painting traffic-calming project on Treetop Drive. The intention of the project is to provide a visual traffic calming effect. Members of the community would be invited to submit their artistic design to be painted along

Themed Exhibits in the Great Hall In the Great Hall a rotating schedule of themed exhibits from the City’s permanent collection is continuously presented. City as Canvas Since 2002, and working with community groups, murals have been restored and created every summer in St. John’s neighbourhoods. City Council also provides a legal graffiti wall on Carter’s Hill Place. Sculpture Several new pieces of public art have been added to the City’s streetscape under the auspices of the Public Art Program and in partnership with the corporate sector, community organizations, and other levels of government. The Rower, a sculpture in Quidi Vidi, celebrates the spirit of the oldest sporting event in North America. Council also contributed towards the Peacekeepers Memorial located in Blue Beret Park. The City constructed a public open space park in recognition of the cultural connection between the City of St. John’s and the City of Il havo, and a large sculpture which is currently placed in the Great Hall. The City, in partnership with a private philanthropist

d f d l d l h l b h b f

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

sections of the roadway. The City would review the submitted design to ensure that it meets technical criteria. The community would supply the paint and materials needed for the project and the City would coordinate with the community and supply traffic control services on a Sunday to allow residents to safely paint their design. If this project is a success, perhaps more work along these lines could be planned.

As well, not all public art has to be costly. An example of a relatively low-cost but still engaging method is rain-activated street art; designs are applied with a superhydrophobic “invisible spray” using a stencil, resulting in art appearing from nowhere when the surface is wet (“Rainworks”).

Key Considerations/Implications:

1. Budget/Financial Implications N/A

2. Partners or Other Stakeholders N/A

3. Alignment with Strategic Directions/Adopted Plans Neighborhoods build our City – Maintain and position downtown as a distinct neighborhood. Develop parks and places for people. Responsive and Progressive – Become a welcoming and inclusive City. A Culture of Cooperation - City of St. John's does not operate in isolation, and has developed cooperative and collaborative relationships that are beneficial to supporting our dynamic sustainable capital city. A City for All Seasons- Support year-round tourism and industry activity

4. Legal or Policy Implications N/A

5. Engagement and Communications Considerations N/A

6. Human Resource Implications

N/A

7. Procurement Implications N/A

8. Information Technology Implications N/A

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

9. Other Implications N/A

Conclusion/ Next Steps:

The intention of this note is to provoke thought and discussion about what public art is and what its aim(s) can/should be, to consider how the City of St. John’s can broaden how it encourages the development and creation of art in public, and how art in public can be reflected in the City’s new/renewed arts plan.

Prepared by/Signature:

Théa Morash, Arts & Cultural Development Coordinator, Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships

Signature:

Approved by/Date/Signature:

Elizabeth Lawrence, Director; Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships Division

Signature:

Attachments: City of St. John’s Public Art Map

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

Red Ball Project Images

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

Lego Bridge Images

City of St. John’s PO Box 908 St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5M2 www.stjohns.ca

Rainworks Images