Edmonton Arts Council - 2001 Festival Operating Community Investment

Recommendation:
That City Council approve the 2001 Festival Operating Community Investment Grant recommendations as outlined in Attachment 1.

Report Summary

  • The 2001 Festival Operating Community Investment Grant recommendations are made in accordance with Council approved Policy C211-C.

Previous Council/Committee Action

  • At the December 15, 2000 Special City Council meeting the 2001 Operating Budget (Program 404: Community Investment: Arts Council: Festivals) was approved at $887,000.

Report

  • Applications from Festivals were accepted at the Edmonton Arts Council office up to 4:30 p.m. on November 3, 2000. Twenty-two (22) applications were received. Two organizations (First Night Festival Society and The Alberta Book Fair Society) subsequently withdrew their applications.
  • An application was received from Northlands Park in support of the 2001 Canadian Finals Rodeo. The Canadian Finals Rodeo has been supported through the EAC Festival Operating Community Investment Program since 1997. This festival is valuable and important to the City of Edmonton. However, the nature of the festival is different from any other festival funded through this program in that it is a competitive sporting event. Efforts to have this application more appropriately directed have been ongoing. A proposal to redirect the application and transfer of funds to City of Edmonton Corporate Services has been agreed to by City of Edmonton Corporate Services, Edmonton Arts Council and Northlands Park. Funds will be transferred, assuming the approval of this report, as per attached letter(See Attachment 4).
  • A Festival Peer Jury was appointed in accordance with Policy C211-C.
  • The Festival Peer Jury considered the applications and made recommendations to the Edmonton Arts Council Board on funding.
  • The Edmonton Arts Council Board approved the attached recommendations at their February 14, 2001 meeting.
  • In accordance with Policy C211-C, each applicant was notified of the jury’s grant recommendation. In addition, all applicants were advised of the EAC appeal policies and procedures, and were given ten (10) working days in which to notify the EAC Board of their intent to appeal.
  • Two (2) appeals were considered by the EAC Appeal Committee on Wednesday, March 7, 2001. As a result of the appeals, no changes were made to the recommendations. The Appeal Committee decided not to overturn the jury recommendation in support of Edmonton Heritage Festival. The Appeal Committee also decided not to overturn the jury recommendation that no grant be apportioned to CIFES in support of the 20 Region of Italy Extravaganza.

Justification of Recommendation

  • The recommendations are in accordance with Policy C-211C.

Background Information Attached

  1. 2001 Festival Operating Community Investment Grant Recommendations Chart
  2. Summary of each application (including appeals where applicable) and jury comments
  3. Festival Evaluation Criteria
  4. Canadian Finals Rodeo documentation

Background Information Available on Request

  • Detailed Grant Application Information
  • Detailed Appeal Process Information

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