Item 12.1 - Attachment 1

Minutes Arts Advisory Committee May 12th 2009

 

MINUTES OF THE ARTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN ROOM C, LEVEL 2, COUNCIL CHAMBER BUILDING, CIVIC PLACE ON TUESDAY, 12 MAY, 2009 AT 6.11PM

 

PRESENT

 

Ms Judith Rowling in the Chair, Toni Courtelis, Jacqui Douglas, Jane Ho, Katherine Knight (retired 6.37 pm), Val Squires and Dianne Turner.

 

IN ATTENDANCE

 

Maggie Kyle – Community Capacity Building Officer and Grant Davies - Minute Clerk.

 

1.    WELCOME

 

Judith Rowling welcomed Committee Members to the meeting.

 

 

2.    CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

      

      A copy of the report of the meeting of the Arts Advisory Committee held on 12    August 2008 had previously been forwarded to each member.

 

      RECOMMENDATION(Knight/Douglas)

The report of the meeting of the Arts Advisory Committee held on 12 August 2008 be taken as read and be confirmed as a true record of the meeting.

 

           

3.    APOLOGIES

 

An apology was received and accepted for the absence of Kathy Baykitch and Andrew Overton.

                                                                                                                         

4.    CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS

 

There were no conflict of interest declarations at this meeting.

 

5.    BUSINESS ARISING

 

Nil.

 

6.   BRIEFING ON COUNCIL’S RESOLUTION ON ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND WAY FORWARD

 

Maggie Kyle provided an update on the future of Advisory Committees following the Council Elections held in September 2008.

 

Community Capacity had prepared a report to Council in November 2008 recommending the implementation of a range of contemporary community engagement strategies. Particularly, it had been recommended that the Arts Advisory Committee not be re-established in its current form but rather, a broader community engagement strategy be established across the arts community involving regular forums and other consultation mechanisms.

 

Council had subsequently resolved to defer consideration of the matter and hold a workshop to discuss future strategic goals of the advisory committees. One representative from each advisory committee was invited to attend the workshop to provide advice on each committee’s work to date, terms of reference, alignment to council goals and the committee’s operation.

 

Katherine Knight had attended on the Committee’s behalf and a copy of Ms Knight’s presentation is appended to these minutes as Attachment 1.

 

Four of the eight committees present, including the Arts Advisory Committee, had recommended that that their respective committees be disbanded and reformed in an alternative community engagement form.

 

The results of the workshop were presented to Council at its meeting held on 23 March where Council resolved:-

 

(a)              That Council retain the ATSI, Access, Arts, Cycleways and Heritage Advisory Committees in their current form and terms of reference, and their respective memberships reconfirmed through a public advertising and/or consultation process.

(b)              That Council retain the Youth Advisory Committee, recruiting new membership in the normal public process with the inclusion of inviting the School Captains of the LGA’s High Schools, and its future suitable alternative meeting format and terms of reference to be determined after an initial forum of all potential members of the Youth Advisory Committee.

(c)              That Council create the Community Advisory Committee as described in the report.

(d)              That Councillors be consulted further about the future of the Multicultural Advisory Committee.

(e)             That the following be investigated for possible creation after further input from Councillors, Council staff and external organisations, and a report be submitted for Council’s consideration:

i            The Family Advisory Committee or Working Party or Task Force;

ii            The Technology Advisory Committee or Working Party or Task Force; and

iii           The Environment Advisory Committee or Working Party or Task Force.

 

Accordingly, membership of the Arts Advisory Committee would re-established, new terms of reference developed and membership readvertised in the near future. Once applications closed, a further report would be submitted to Council suggesting the appointment of members to the Committee for the next 3 years, being the remainder of this term of Council.

 

Initial suggestions from staff included quarterly meetings, a broader consultation base and the return to the traditional roles of advisory committees in acting as ambassadors and advocates of the arts in Parramatta.

 

In addition, discussions would be held between Michael Dagostino, Andrew Overton and Maggie to discuss the various arts programs. Responsibility for the Arts Advisory Committee would be shared between these 3 staff members.

 

Dianne Turner responded that members could act as ambassadors but added that members must be acknowledged and recognised for their skill and not utilised as unpaid workers.

 

Maggie responded that this issue could be addressed in the terms of reference.

 

Toni Courtelis expressed her disappointment that a member of the public had recently phoned Council seeking a live drawing class and the existence of the Art Society had not been relayed.

 

Note

Katherine Knight retired from the meeting at 6.37 pm.

 

A general discussion ensued with issues raised including:-

 

·    The possibility of a business card being provided to members to add to members’ credibility;

·    The need to be aware of the role of local Councillors;

·    The preparation of a new newsletter or inclusion of a column in Council’s Community News.

·    Encouragement needed for the community and Councillors to attend arts events including theatre held at the Riverside Theatres.

 

Prior to her departure, Katherine Knight tabled the following questions:-

 

1.         Artists Fellowships – Given the relative scarcity of opportunities, could the annual fellowship be available across all art forms and not just visual arts?

 

            Maggie advised that the arts team intended for the arts fellowship to be broadened and added that further information from Michael Dagostino, Co-ordinator Parramatta Artists Studios, would be forwarded to all members.

 

2.         Riverbeats – What are the future plans for Riverbeats and what is the scope for active community involvement? (NB. Opportunity to link arts and environment responsibilities of Council).

 

            Maggie advised that she would consult with the relevant staff in the Events Team and a response would be provided to all members.

 

3.         Public Art – What scope is there for local artists to tender for commissioned work or to submit proposals or to be trained in the processes?

 

            This matter was a continuing concern for all members and Jacqui Douglas advised of the need for protocols to be developed around this issue.

 

            The Committee also raised the need for increased local advertising of public arts tenders.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION (Douglas/Squires)

 

That:

(a)       Information pertaining to public arts tenders be advertised at an increased level throughout the local art community.

(b)       Council officers investigate methods by which younger artists in the local area can be trained in all aspects of submitting tenders for local public art projects.

(c)       Further, that a response be provided to the questions as tabled by Ms Knight.

 

7.    INFORMATION SHARE

 

 

The meeting concluded at 7.15 pm.