Volume 4 - Issue 5
Thursday December 17, 2015
Hello
Welcome to the last issue of Culture Ink for 2015. The St. Catharines Cultural Services office would like to wish you a joyous holiday season!
                                                                        - Rebecca, Ashley & Jennifer
Click Here for City of St. Catharines' holiday operating hours.
Kudos
      
     
To Debbie Slade who received the CAPACOA Lifetime Achievement Award honoring her long history of leadership and the lasting impact she has had on the performing arts sector in Canada.
To photographer Amy Friend, whose April 5th cover of The California Sunday Magazine has been selected as one of Time's Top 10 covers of 2015!
In the Spotlight
New Public Art in the City
This fall the City's Public Art Advisory Committee has been working to install new works of public art for residents to enjoy.
Niagara artist Melani Pyke has captured the character of the Catherine Street Park and added a touch of colour to the neighbourhood with two new murals. 

The murals are painted on the front and back of the park shed, depicting park elements with figures posed in lively movements. A game of "I Spy" in one mural invites everyone to have fun with this interactive artwork. While the community is enjoying the results, it also had a hand in the creation. Dozens of residents took Pyke up on her call to participate during Culture Days in September.
 
The City's Public Art Advisory Committee and Clean City Advisory Committee launched this pilot project to test murals as an alternate means of reducing graffiti and beautifying neighbourhoods. We think it works!
 
The City is grateful for the support of Loop Recycled Paint who sponsored the project. Please contact Jennifer Tupling, Culture Coordinator if you want to support future mural projects in your neighbourhood!


Got a HOT TICKET to the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre? Be sure to check out art installations by four local artists throughout the building:
  • Sandy Fairbairn's 8 photographic Views of Downtown St. Catharines in the balcony lobby of Partridge Hall
  • Amy Friend's Our Little Dancing Girl, Evelyn, Age 9 on display outside the Robertson Theatre entrance
  • Duncan MacDonald's interactive floor sculpture Quarter Rest in the Algoma Central Corporation Lobby. Yes, you can sit on it!
  • Melanie MacDonald's Lichen V (pictured above) on the second floor landing outside the administration offices
The Public Art Advisory Committee is currently working on two more installations for the FOPAC -- stay tuned for more in 2016!
 
If you are an artist interested in future opportunities with the City of St. Catharines, be sure to subscribe to our Call to Artists mailing list.

For more on Public Art in St. Catharines visit: www.stcatharines.ca/PublicArt
City News
Cultural Funding Task Force
Photo Credit: The Brain Farm - Arts Awards 2015
On September 28 City Council created the Cultural Funding Task Force to undertake a review and evaluation of the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP), program and funding, and the Festival and Events policy, program and funding.
 
The Task Force presented nine recommendations to City Council on December 14. Recommendations included a target for increased funding levels, policy revisions and changes to program priorities. Council approved all nine recommendations in principal, and directed the report to the Budget Standing Committee for consideration in the 2016 budget. 

Click Here to view the report.
 
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee will be shaping changes to these policies in early 2016. A public consultation will take place mid-February. Watch for notifications in upcoming issues of Culture Ink.

Festival & Events Funding Program
Applications for the 2016 festival season will be available Tuesday December 22, 2015.  Contact Rebecca Cann, Cultural Services Supervisor    for application details.  Applications are due Friday February 5, 2016 . 

For more information on the Festival & Events Funding Program visit: www.stcatharines.ca/F-Efunding

Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial
The Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial Task Force continues to raise funds for the memorial. On December 4 Fundraising Chair, Greg Wight announced donations of $25,000 each from Canada Steamship Lines and St. Catharines-based Rankin Construction. Thank you for these leadership gifts!
 
For more on the Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial visit: www.stcatharines.ca/CanalWorkersMemorial

St. Catharines Museum's Strategic Plan
The St. Catharines Museum will strive to be a leading local history museum and community hub that engages visitors and builds relationships with partners, according to the renewed vision statement in its strategic plan.
 
Council adopted the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre strategic plan on December 14. The plan will guide the museum's growth and development over the next five years by focusing actions on five themes: governance, leadership, engagement, stewardship and experience. The plan is well connected to  Culture Plan 2020 which was approved by Council earlier this year.

Holiday Programming at the St. Catharines Museum
From hands-on heritage toys to creating Victorian-inspired holiday cards to building with LEGO, the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre has a full holiday line-up of activities for children and families. Admission for museum holiday activities is by donation ($2 suggested).
 
For a full list of Museum activities visit: www.stcatharines.ca/Museum
The Cultural Services office is a division of the City of St. Catharines' Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. Cultural Services focuses on public art, community development, planning and policy related to arts and culture in the City of St. Catharines.