Edmonton Art Gallery “Keeping the Doors Open” 2001 Community Investment Grant.

Recommendation:
That the Community Services Committee recommend to City Council:
  1. That the first installment of the Edmonton Art Gallery’s 2002 Community Investment Grant in the amount of $342,640.
  2. That the balance of the Edmonton Art Gallery’s 2002 Community Investment Grant be determined subsequent to the administrative review of the Edmonton Art Gallery’s 2001 audited financial statement.

Report Summary

The purpose of this report is to provide for the awarding of the first installment of the Edmonton Art Gallery “Keeping the Doors Open” Grant and the balance to be awarded upon the administrative review of its 2001 audited financial statement.

Previous Council/Committee Action

At its meeting of December 19, 2001, City Council approved the 2002 Community Investment Grant Budget of which $428,300 is for the purpose of funding the 2002 Edmonton Art Gallery “Keeping the Doors Open” Grant Program.

Report

·  City Policy C211D, Community Investment Grants to Organizations and Individuals, provides for financial assistance to the Edmonton Art Gallery through the “Keeping the Doors Open” Grant Program. This financial assistance covers the previous year’s costs associated with the maintenance and security of the facility. The Edmonton Art Gallery has submitted a 2002 application requesting that 80% of the allocated budget for the “Keeping the Doors Open” Grant be awarded based on the projected expenditures for the 2001 plant and building operations. The projected expenditures are approximately $475,420 (See Attachment 1).

·  The Edmonton Art Gallery is into its five-year strategic plan, which includes initiatives such as:

·  encouraging greater self sufficiency;

·  continuing to establish the Gallery as a centre of excellence for the exhibition, animation and collection of works of art and visual culture; and

·  positioning the Gallery as a valued and relevant resource for the Western Canadian Region.

·  The Edmonton Art Gallery continues to focus on plans to build a world-class facility for the presentation and preservation of all forms of visual art and culture. The Gallery is pursuing funding commitments from the Provincial and Federal orders of government and continuing to secure private sector donations.

·  The Gallery’s programs and services continue to have strong attendance as evidenced by walk-in traffic as well as in the educational, general programs, tours and special events (See Attachment 2).

·  The maintenance required to operate this facility continues to be a major issue, as evidenced by a boiler breakdown in September and the aging heat, ventilation and air conditioning equipment which is subject to failure at any time. The Gallery continues to delay some maintenance items until 2002 due to extra expenses in plant and building repairs and utilities.

·  Utility costs continue to rise but were offset in 2001 by a rebate. The Gallery has undertaken energy saving measures to reduce electrical use.

·  In December 2001, the Edmonton Art Gallery was notified that insurance costs would be rising by 50% due to a volatile insurance market.

·  Other areas of revenue from the Gallery will cover the $6,022 deficit in the projected 2001 Plant and Building Budget.

Budget/Financial Implications

Funds are available in the Community Services Department, Community Investment Grant Budget for the “Keeping the Doors Open” Grant Program.

Justification of Recommendation

  1. The review of the Edmonton Art Gallery’s plant and building financial information indicates that the projected 2001 costs are estimated at $475,420, which is approximately a 13% increase from the previous year. The recommended grant represents 80% of the 2001 budget for “Keeping the Doors Open” as outlined in City Policy C211D.
  2. As outlined in City Policy C211D, the second installment will be determined following a review of the Edmonton Art Gallery’s 2001 audited financial statement.

Background Information Attached

  1. Edmonton Art Gallery 2001 Plant and Building Budget
  2. Edmonton Art Gallery Statistical Comparison

Background Information Available on Request

  1. Edmonton Art Gallery 2000 Annual Report
  2. City Policy C211D, Community Investment Grants to Organizations and Individuals

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Attachment 1

Edmonton Art Gallery 2001 Plant and Building Budget.

2001
Projected / 2000
Actual / 1999
Actual
Revenue:
City of Edmonton / $415,000 / $415,800 / $404,249
Other / $54,398 / ______/ ______
$469,398 / $415,800 / $404,249
Expenditures:
Contract
Security / $59,912 / $49,332 / $27,253
Janitorial / $48,000 / $45,986 / $47,482
Alarm system / $12,000 / $11,220 / $11,782
Maintenance / $28,510 / $27,855 / $26,902
Other
Utilities / $164,600 / $114,648 / $94,182
Salaries, wages and benefits / $105,844 / $95,403 / $101,154
Repairs and Maintenance / $38,140 / $55,544 / $87,829
Supplies / $11,140 / $12,250 / $12,666
Insurance / $7,274 / $6,710 / $7,029
$475,420 / $418,948 / $416,279
Net / ($6,022) / $(3,148) / $(12,030)

Attachment 1 - Page 1 of 1

Attachment 2

Edmonton Art Gallery Statistical Comparison.

STATISTICAL COMPARISON
1998 / 1999 / 2000 / 2001
Exhibits / 41 / 27 / 32 / 32
Attendance / 95,000 / 75,594 1 / 65,646 / 80,721
Outreach / 77,014 / 60,426 / 70,908 / 95,000
Membership / 1,700 / 1,595 / 1,521 / 1,510
Volunteers / 250 / 200 / 207 / 141
Education Program – total / 85 / 142 / 119 / 143
Children / 62 / 57 / 73 / 89
Adult / 5 / 80 / 35 / 32
Lecture / 8 / 2 / 3 / 8
Workshop / 10 / 3 / 5 / 14
Program Attendance – total / 1,211 / 10,455 2 / 12,950 / 16,521
Children / 672 / 5,720 2 / 7,039 / 9,272
Adult / 69 / 4,507 2 / 5,690 / 5,960
Lecture Series / 335 / 50 2 / 88 / 696
Workshops / 135 / 178 2 / 133 / 593
Tours – total / 675 / 159 1 / 129 / 189
School / 650 / 135 / 120 / 170
Public / 25 / 25 / 9 / 19
Participants / 5,255 / 3,817 / 3,840 / 4,683
Special Events / 95 / 148 / 147 / 104
Attendance / 15,300 / 22,000 / 20,572 / 26,354
Donations – total / 445,000 / 888,715 / 583,409 / 802,810
Operation / 175,000 / 211,177 / 106,484 / 160,627
Value of Donated art / 270,000 / 677,538 / 476,925 / 542,100
Acquisition Fund / 25,000 / 25,000 / 110,3443 / 100,083

1. Tours were previously counted using 6 – 10 people per tour. In 1999 the number was increased to 25 – 30 per tour.

2. In 1999 program attendance takes into consideration all of those that are participants in a specific activity whereas general attendance is based on walk through traffic in the gallery. Previously attendance was not necessarily tracked as diligently by program.

3. Actual art acquisitions for 2000.

Attachment 2 - Page 1 of 1