What do you see as the role of the arts in our community?

I deeply value the arts in all of it’s forms, and believe that it contributes to a healthy and vibrant community. I believe that it is through the arts that we are able to capture and share our story and make it timeless for others to interact with and learn.

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What challenges do you see artists (of all disciplines) facing in Guelph?

 

Space. From the artists that I know and support, affordable, accessible, suitable and safe work space and storage is always at the top of the list. As our city changes with housing pressures there are growing impacts on the availability of affordable spaces.

 

This is nothing new, as with the development of the Guelph Youth Music Centre it started with a survey of space needs in the city back in the early 90’s.
I have also heard of the need for additional support for collectives that facilitate community events and income generating opportunities and administrative supports and workshops for grant writing, tax and business planning. I also have heard that the tariffs have impacted supplies and artists.

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If elected, how will you support the arts and artists in Guelph?

The city supports the Children’s Foundation Free to Grow program so that youth can access arts programming and provides funding through the Community Grants and Community Benefit Agreements to the Arts. While the Activating Community Micro-Grants is a relatively new and investment by the city, I would like to see this focused on Arts and Culture extensions exclusively through GAC.

I like also the idea of Cultural or Arts Districts. This being said I have concerns that these areas and the benefits that come from them, attracting tourists and income for example, are only concentrated in certain areas of the city of Guelph. I experience a lack of funding and an arts and cultural barren land in Ward 4 and as evidence is the upcoming Studio Tour with only one Zone 1, west of the Hanlon, artist to engage with.

 

As a citizen and councillor I am concerned with the lack of equitable arts and cultural development and support across the city. There is no public art west of the Hanlon.

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How have you engaged/supported/interacted with the Guelph arts community?

This is a long response so apologies in advance. Before becoming a parent I was active with many other volunteers in the development of the Guelph Youth Music Centre under the leadership of Bob Gillham. When I became a parent we were involved with the Suzuki String School, Summer Strings Institute, Guelph Youth Orchestra, Kiwanis and occasional street busking! My children were among the first participants in Guelph Youth Dance when Catrina and Janet established the program and we often attended the Guelph Youth Festivals.

We have engaged our children in music, dance, pottery, the Guelph Studio Tour, Art on the Street, visiting individual visual artists, the Pottery Market, River Run performances and Music festivals all in an effort to build art appreciation. At home we proudly own many pieces of art by local Guelph artists. If we in other cities the Art Centre and Museum are top on our list to visit.

As an elected trustee to the Upper Grand District School Board, I advocated and supported the Music Teachers Association, Drama and arts opportunities for youth. I volunteered for Art Image in our school and organized along with other parents Prologue for the Arts French language arts performances and opportunities.

I was a Director on the Art Gallery of Guelph Board, and I still go to the Gift Shop to look for art and unique gifts for family, friends and myself! Prior to becoming a city councillor in 2022 I advocated and ensured that electrical outlets were added to Margaret Greene Park for arts and cultural activities, as in my view parks are more than sports fields. I dream about summer theatre in the park.

 

As a current city councillor my engagement with the arts community has not changed from that as a parent but grows to include new organizations such as Art Not Shame. Recent examples of council discussions include my support for more arts use of the Sleeman Centre and advocating for subsidies to city facilities for arts groups.

If this is an opportunity for a dialogue, I do want to share that I have advocated for the expansion and visible evidence of the arts while on the AGG Board and to the Arts Advisory Committee and to this date there is nothing west of the Hanlon. I believe that the Arts Community could better connect with residents through extension activities, building awareness and greater appreciation for the arts and culture in Guelph.