Master Plan April 17 2009

Over the last 6 months I have been involved in workshops hosted by the office of arts and culture in Mississauga (soon to be under community services). A large shift in the way that all arts and culture (including Hertitage Mississauga) will take place changes soon. An amalgamation and redevelopment of the current Cultural Infrastructure in Mississauga is under way. This particular reformation in administration has not taken place before. Many years ago similar plans were developed to help target problem areas in the cultural develoment and creation of neighbourhoods. Now, however a different kind of plan has been set forth that will see the most problematic areas of cultural policy in Mississauga recieve a tune-up.

Many things will change, including the overall amount of funds the city itself invests in the arts annually. this number, which sees an increase of almost 200k a year will go a long way to filling the gap in public arts and culture programs between now and 2013. The increase will see our percapita spending on arts and culture rise from just over 1.40 to 3.00. Some of these improvements may even include additional satelite galleries that act as tributaries to the current AGM, as well a redefinition to the role that MAC plays as well. The current trend appears to be a strengthening of current arts and culture providers.

UCI has also suggested a independent review of LAC. This is met with mix reaction among the arts and culture community as some believe it is long overdue, and others believe the Masterplan does not address what this institution already offers. The LAC is the only venue that currently offers hands on instruction in wood working, glass blowing and the material arts through classes and residency programs.

After attending the workshops offered by the office of the arts and culture I believe I now have a comprehensive view of what they hope to accomplish. Many of the individuals that attended the workshop hadnt read the entire plan. The presentation by UCI was not completely exhaustive in their presentation of the material at large as that would take hour upon hour. The 85 page report has daunted many in their attempts to gain a grasp on the material. UCI gave an overvue of the strategic directions and expect follow up by the attendees as they reivew their 40 plus implementations expected to be completed in a 5 year time span. Some of the changes include a creation of a public art mandate and policy that would include a public art coordinator.

In response, I had a lot of information thrown at me. I heard many different takes on the report and various responses from stakeholders who had been through similiar proposals in the past only to see them pushed aside, shelved and consequently forgotten until they were dusted off and brought out again. Some left before the completion of a Q&A session in reaction to fielded questions with unsatisfying answers.

Although many changes are suggested no particular unifying philosophy towards the arts and culture, and what Mississauga, as a proposed cultural centre plans to do.

As artists and the community at large what is expected of us is a VERY tall order. We are going to have to get on eachothers nerves from time to time. Offer up constructive and critical advice to get where we want to be. Is the office going to be there to defend cultural identity and growth? The growing pains other communities have had to endure for the growth of their art have been great. OCAD, the school that trained me, taught me that. Sometimes members of your community will do or say something that will not be met with positivity. Is the office ready to go to the bat if I break convention? Will the office help communities to better understand eachother? The responsibility is ours to help create a stronger and more vibrant Mississauga. We have to take the same advice that we have given.