CITY OF WELLAND

POLICY

Arts and Culture contribute significantly to Welland's sense of place, civic pride and community well-being. Arts and culture also influences economic prosperity and tourism diversity leading to a thriving and healthy community.

PURPOSE:
The Municipal Arts and Culture Policy provides a framework to guide the planning, provision and support of arts and cultural services in the City of Welland.

DEFINITIONS:
Arts - refers to the creative arts in all its forms of expression:
• Visual arts (painting, sculpture, printmaking, fine craft, photography, mixed media)
• Literary arts (fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, playwriting)
• Performing arts (theatre, music, dance, opera, mime)
• Media arts (film, video, sound recording, cyber arts)
• Material arts (crafts, ceramics, textiles)
• Arts industries (production-line fine craft, publishing, graphic and surface design)
• Civic arts (architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, art in public places)
• Culturally specific arts (arts influenced by the values, customs and traditions of peoples of historical or contemporary settlement)
• Community arts (recreational arts; variety or novelty arts)

Culture - refers to the values, customs, heritage and traditions that characterize the community. Culture is inclusive and reflects the elements and traits of peoples of historical and contemporary settlement, popular culture, and the places, physical amenities, events, products and creations that contribute to such values, customs and traditions.

Community - where mentioned in the policy refers to the Community of Welland. The Cultural life of a Community is shaped by the participating individuals and organizations through active involvement and participation, and is representative and inclusive of all origins, customs, heritage, beliefs and traditions of the people of Welland.

Public Art - refers to artwork in the public realm which is accessible to the public and possesses aesthetic qualities for the enhancement of the City of Welland and Community involvement. Art in the public realm involves the process of increasing community awareness, understanding, and acceptance of public art as an important component of the environment.

Public Art enables community participation in the building of public space, greater public access to ideas generated by contemporary art, and citizens to take pride in public cultural expressions.

Public Art reflects the identity of the City and gives voices to the community while building relationships between diverse groups. Public Art gives meaning to place by interpreting the cultural, historical and social environment.

Artwork - may be permanent, semi-permanent, functional, or temporary, and includes all forms of art conceived in any medium, material, performance, media, or combination thereof, including civic infrastructure and furnishings, sculpture, landscape, painting, drawings, parades and kinetic works. Examples of Public Art include sculptures, murals, fountains, street furnishings, park amenities, light works, live art, and artists' collaborations on architecture, landscape architecture or amenity design.

Public Realm - includes places and things, such as building facades, parks, public open spaces, streets and recreational waterways that provide for unrestricted physical or visual access to the general public.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
1. Arts and Culture make a significant contribution to the quality of life and vitality of the community.
2. Investment in Arts and Culture will produce a significant contribution to the economic well-being of the community.
3. Arts and Culture activity will be accessible to all, regardless of culture, language, religion, race, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation or social standing.
4. Excellence in Arts and Culture will be recognized, appreciated, encouraged and communicated.
5. Infrastructure for the purposes of creation, production, presentation, promotion and distribution of Arts and Culture activities will be maintained and supported.
6. Arts and Culture will be an integral component of the Corporate Strategic Plan for the City of Welland.

GOALS:
1. To build, expand and support existing events and festivals that enhance Arts and Culture (i.e. Rose Festival, Illuminaqua, Niagara Food Festival, Variety Nites by the Canal)
2. To advocate, research and promote the development of Arts and Culture.
3. To recognize, encourage and provide guidance to various groups, organizations and individuals contributing to the development of Arts and Culture.
4. To determine responsibilities and contributions of the City of Welland towards the future growth of Arts and Culture by adopting a sustainable funding policy framework.
5. To enrich the spirit and pride of citizens of Welland through Arts and Culture.
6. To involve artists and arts organizations in leadership roles in the overall planning and design of an Arts infrastructure.
7. To enhance existing spaces and develop new public spaces for Arts and Culture (e.g. theatres, performance, galleries, murals, and outdoor spaces).
8. To provide opportunities and benefits for artists and the public to express their individual and collective ideas through Public Art as a means to support the arts, build community pride, enhance local character, and strengthen Welland's identity.
9. To engage citizens and develop partnerships with all sectors (e.g. private, public, nonprofit organizations) in the development of Arts and Culture.
10. To ensure that Arts and Culture is included in other municipal strategies and plans such as economic policy, social policy, downtown development and public works projects.
11. To develop an accessible inventory and network of Arts and Cultural assets and information within the City of Welland.

POLICY DETAILS:
1. Role of the City of Welland Arts and Culture Advisory Committee

1.1. To provide advice and guidance on the implementation of the City of Welland's Municipal Arts and Cultural policy, procedures, by-laws and other corporate policies that may affect Arts and Culture.

1.2. To provide a forum for groups and organizations, individuals interested initiating in preserving, and maintaining Arts and Cultural resources.

1.3. To promote the development of Arts and Culture opportunities in the City of Welland.

1.4. To create citizen engagement opportunities that will facilitate citizens input to the City's decision making processes on matters related to Arts and Culture.

1.5. To facilitate the development of sustainable funding that will support the objectives of the Arts and Culture policy.

1.6. To facilitate the acquisition, development, planning and enhancement of Public Art in the City of Weiland.

1.7. To report to City Council on the state of the Arts and Culture in Welland.

1.8. The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee will function in accordance with the Terms of Reference approved by City Council.

2. Operational Practices and Procedures
2.1. The Parks, Facilities & Leisure Services Department will develop and implement operating practices and procedures that support the intent of the Arts & Culture Policy.

3. Public Art
3.1. The City will guide the acquisition, development, planning and preservation, enhancement and removal of Public Art.
3.2. The City will encourage public dialogue and participation in the decision making that affects the aesthetic appearance of the City and attracts visitors, tourists and new business.
3.3. The City will ensure that decisions concerning the placement of Public Art projects are fair and consistent.
3.4. The City will increase opportunities for local artists to display and make contributions to the community.
3.5. A Public Art Sub-Committee of the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee will be formed.
3.6. The Public Art Sub-Committee will propose an annual Public Art Program Plan in consultation with City staff in conjunction with the City’s annual budget process. The plan will strive to achieve a broad range of public arts projects.
3.7. Citizens will be invited to participate in decision related to the selection, placement and approval of Public Art.
3.7.1. All decisions related to Public Art will be transparent and accessible.
3.8. Ownership for artwork selected in accordance with the policy shall transfer to the City upon final installation in the public domain. In accepting ownership of public art, the city also accepts responsibility for the maintenance, insurance and contractual agreements.
3.9. Funding Framework
3.9.1. The City will provide on-going maintenance of the Public Art.
3.9.2. The City will apply for supplemental funding from the provincial and federal governments.
3.9.3. An Arts and Culture Foundation will be established for the purpose of receiving private donations that support public art.
3.9.4. The Public Art Sub-Committee will adopt a code of conduct for public art competitions, guidelines for accepting gifts of art, and de-accession guidelines.
3.10. De-Accession or Removal
3.10.1. In the event the artwork is damaged beyond repair, or becomes ineffective for reasons other than the owner’s failure to maintain it, or in the event the work becomes an unreasonable burden to maintain, application to allow its removal or relocation may be made to Public Art Sub-Committee.
3.10.2. A Public Meeting may be held to gather community feedback on a proposed de-accession. Further public meetings may be needed to gather input before final decisions are made.
3.11. Encroachment
3.11.1. An application and permit shall be issued upon review and approval of City of Welland that allows the temporary placement of a privately owned object over, under and upon the public right of way or public property.
3.11.2. The placement of objects, displays or other fixtures shall not interfere or be placed directly in front of, on or near a permanent Public Art sculpture, mural, monument, historic site, plaque or other art deemed to be Public Art.

4. Sustainability
4.1. The City will introduce a funding mechanism to support the requirements of this policy.
4.2. The City will establish procedures to accept public and private donations in the arts and culture.
4.3. The City will oversee liabilities and insurances associated with the Public Art Policy.
4.4. The City has the right to accept or decline donations and artwork.

5. Arts and Culture Mapping
5.1. The City will develop and maintain an inventory of Arts and Culture programs, events and assets.

6. Community Engagement
6.1. The City will engage artists, citizens and volunteers regardless of art form, age, ethnic culture or financial status to encourage access and enjoyment of the arts whether participating, performing, presenting, viewing or attending Arts and Culture events.
6.2. The City will seek to engage children and youth in Arts and Culture programs in partnership with local school boards, agencies and organizations.

7. Recognition of Excellence
7.1. The City will recognize volunteers involved in Arts and Culture through the Annual Volunteer Recognition Event.
7.2. The City will recognize individuals, organizations and businesses that have made a significant contribution, personal achievement or notable contribution to Arts and Culture.

8. Promotion
8.1. The City will promote Arts and Culture to achieve the following outcomes:
8.1.1. To increase the number citizens creatively involved in Arts and Culture.
8.1.2. To increase the number of citizens attending Arts and Culture events.
8.1.3. To increase the citizen involvement in Arts and Culture as a means for people to share their heritage, hopes, dreams, concerns and preferences.

9. Accessibility
9.1. This policy will comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005 and Accessibility Standards resulting from the Act.
9.2. The City will ensure that participation in Arts and Culture opportunities is accessible to people of all ages and abilities.