Thread by @aradhaverma

Tonight, I'm at the Arts and Culture Update for @CultureBrampton

We started with welcoming remarks from @gurpreetdhillon

First agenda item is research findings from @hillstrategies on both comparative analysis of Brampton's Creative Economy & Brampton's Municipal Per Capital Investment in Culture. The presenter Alix MacLean is going through the data *very* fast, with no data on the slides

What I was able to quickly note: 1300 artists in Brampton (documented in May 2016 through census). In comparison to 4 other cities (Markham, Mississauga, Hamilton, Surrey, Brampton invests less per capita in artists and the creative economy.

The data is not available at present (reports in draft), but a question from the audience about access to information is answered by Culture staff stating that the reports will be on the website.

For access, this is a tricky meeting, the projection is extremely small, and there are no handouts.

We are now hearing from @pru_robey with an update on the status of developing an arms length arts and culture organization. Pru begins by linking this work to Vision 2040 and Brampton's Culture Master Plan

The process to get to today didn't involve significant community engagement, as the Vision 2040 and Culture Master Plan processes involved a lot of consultation and engagement. However, there were 18 key informant interviews, as well as research through case studies.

The case studies included @artsedmonton @CalgaryArtsDev @EastEndArtsTO @NorthYorkArts

The key findings:
Governance & Leadership
Inclusivity & Diversity
Sector Development & Growth
Building Trust, Starting Right

The vision for this new organization would be: thriving, confident and valued creative scene and cultural ecology is at the heart of our prosperous mosaic

The mission: incubate, advance, connect, advocate for Brampton arts and cultural and creative industries

The values of this organization:
Passion and ambition
Diversity and inclusiveness
Service
Community and collaboration
....
(Slide moved along quickly so I couldn't finish jotting this down)

In order to recommend an organizational model, a number of criteria were considered:
Mission and mandate delivery
Governance
Relevance to community
Ability to generate revenue
Cost
Operations

The recommendation is: independent non-profit corporation, with a relationship to @CityBrampton being service level and funding agreements. It is recommended that this new org be incubated via a Council appointed Expert Arts, Culture & Creative Industries Panel over 2.5 years.

That is to say, in 2.5 years from the start of the incubation process, the organization will be independent.

In terms of $$, the investment from @CityBrampton would be $395,000 in year 1, and $875,000 in year 5. This does not include dispersing arts specific grants or development of a creative hub

A couple of questions so far: process for appointment of the Panel, and how this new organization helps to increase the gap in per capita investment. The Panel will include:
1 member from Council
1 professional artist
4 others representing creative sectors

Question about what happens in the first 5 years. Answer from @pru_robey within 6 months to a year, appoint the Panel, their work is to hire the first leader, who will develop the organization. By the 5 year mark, the goal is it will be fully operational, incl through partnership

Whoops, correction: also 1 creative entrepreneur!

Lots of questions from audience about grants, the composition of the panel, and the task of "catching up" in terms of per capita investment.

I asked about "diversity and inclusiveness" (note that I am not necessarily a fan of these terms), and what that means since the City is not a leader in "EDI" anti-racism, anti-oppression, queer and trans inclusion. @pru_robey: meaningful relationship building will be key upfront

.@pru_robey shared that in addition, "diversity and inclusiveness" are part of expectations of Panel and leadership of this new organization.

Now hearing from Bandana Singh about the new funding framework: Advance Brampton Fund. This new model is developed after a comprehensive review, which included engaging 100 community stakeholders.

The findings:
1) current program does not address the diversity of need, or have clear desired outcomes
2) importance of NFP sector in assisting City to meet goals and priorities
3) Building Brampton's identity

Advance Brampton Fund is available for Brampton-based non profits (including those who are unincorporated!), aligned with term Council priorities: mosaic, green city, healthy and safe city, city of opportunities

The grant categories:
Micro projects: under $1k
Emerging projects: $1k-$5k
Developing projects: $5k-$12.5k
Amplifying projects: $12.5k-$25k

Grant opens on November 15, with a number of info sessions beginning on November 20. Also workshops offered in collab w/@ChangSchool

Now hearing about tourism: a 1 year pilot funding opportunity for marquee festivals & events. This is by invite only, with criteria being:
-have received 3 years support from City
-minimum budget of $100k
-Brampton based organization
-event takes place in Brampton

What else is coming:
December: Destination Assessment by Resonance Consulting
February 2020: Culinary Tourism Strategy update
Date TBD: Film Feasibility Study with SKH Consulting
Q1 2020: Tourism Strategy work begins, which will include community and stakeholder engagement

Save the date: December 4, the recommendation report to Committee of Council on through arm's length organization. Not sure if @BramRecorder will be there, but now you know my go-to source for Council meeting proceedings!

And that's it, session is over! A few quick reflections from me:
- not a great turnout, which could just be about weather!
- there was not a land acknowledgement (I guess I'm not surprised)
- many access things: security directing ppl to go down the stairs (assumptions!)....

... To the way info was presented (really fast oral presentation, impossible to view slides (ironic that the welcoming remarks talked about the high calibre advanced technology here!), no printed materials)
- a sense of anxiety/panic in the room (that's my empathic self maybe?)