The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC) is a volunteer committee established to advise City Council and staff on policies, plans, and programs related to the arts and cultural sector of St. Catharines, including all public art programs developed using City resources, property or land. The Committee will act as an advisory panel for arts and culture on behalf of the City within the community and provide informed perspectives on arts and culture related matters within the municipality.
Meetings
The committee meets monthly or at the discretion of the chair. For a schedule of upcoming meetings, view our meeting calendar. For more information, read the committee's agendas and minutes.
The committee shall conduct its meetings in accordance with and otherwise comply with the City of St. Catharines simplified meeting procedures for advisory bodies.
Purpose
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee will:
- Review applications to the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP) and make annual recommendations to Council for investment as per policy guidelines;
- Advise on the management of the civic art collection working within the parameters of the Public Art Policy;
- Participate in the creation or renewal of culture plans and policies, as required.
Sub-committees
The committee has one standing sub-committee:
- St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP) selection committee. The composition of the sub-committee is based on the composition specified in the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Policy.
Members
- Kiara Graham, citizen appointee
- Allyson Lynn, citizen appointee
- Sarah McPherson, citizen appointee
- Tara Ryan, Vice-Chair, citizen appointee
- Janice Slade, citizen appointee
- Debra Antoncic, chair, artist appointee
- Rima Boles, artist appointee
- Bart Gazzola, artist appointee
- Linda Carreiro, Brock University Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts representative
- Jules Bartley, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre representative
- Natasha Pedros and Stephen Remus, Niagara Artists Centre co-representatives
- Pam Seabrook, St. Catharines Folk Arts Multicultural Centre representative
- Angela Brayham, Rodman Hall Art Institute of Niagara representative
- Ashley Judd-Rifkin, culture coordinator (staff liaison)
The membership term for the committee lasts for the term duration of City Council or as determined by Council.
Composition
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee consists of up to 13 members including:
- Four citizens with a demonstrated interest in arts and culture;
- Four artists of any discipline;
- One representative from Brock University Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts;
- One representative from the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre;
- One representative from the Niagara Artists Centre;
- One representative from the St. Catharines Folk Arts Multicultural Centre;
- One representative from the Rodman Hall Art Institute of Niagara.
In addition, a representative from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport will be invited to attend as a non-voting, resource person.
The committee should include a balance of disciplines, including the visual arts, literary arts, and performing arts.
Notwithstanding the simplified meeting procedures for advisory bodies, the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee may invite non-member participation on its sub-committees at the discretion of the committee and as per the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Policy.
Reporting structure
The committee reports directly to Council.
Administrative support to the committee shall be provided by the Community, Recreation and Culture Services Department, which shall assign a staff liaison to the committee. Additional staff resources as required from time to time will be provided by the relevant department(s).