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Recommendation:
That City Council approve the 1998 Festival SEED Community Investment Grant Recommendations as outlined in Attachment 1.

Report Summary

·  The 1998 Festival SEED Community Investment Grant recommendations are made in accordance with Council approved Policy C-211C.

Previous Council/Committee Action

·  At the regular budget meeting of December 4 - 9, 1997 the 1998 Operating Budget (Program 404: Community Investment: Arts Council: Festivals) was approved at $862,000.

Report

·  Applications from emerging Festivals were accepted at the Edmonton Arts Council office. Between March 21, 1998 and August 28, 1998 three (3) applications had been received from new or emerging Festivals.

·  The Edmonton Arts Council Board has allocated a maximum of $25,000 to be used for Festival SEED grants for new or emerging Festivals.

·  A Festival Peer Jury considered the three applications and made recommendations to the Edmonton Arts Council Board on funding.

·  The Edmonton Arts Council Board approved the attached recommendations at their October 14, 1998 meeting.

Justification of Recommendation

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

Background Information Attached

  1. 1998 Festivals SEED Community Investment Grants Chart
  2. Summary of application from Film & Video Arts Society
  3. Summary of application from Gala Albertain de la Chanson
  4. Summary of application from Jhankaar Society for the Music & Dance of India

Background Information Available on Request

·  Detailed Grant Application Information

(Page 2 of 1)

Attachment 1

SUMMARY CHART

Background

The Festival SEED Grant Program, as per Policy C-211C, is intended to fund new and emerging festivals as well as special projects from existing festivals with an emphasis on joint or collaborative initiatives. Applications may be considered for new or emerging festivals funding for up to two consecutive years. Applications from new or emerging festivals will be accepted on March 20 and August 31 of each year.

Assessment Criteria:

·  Extent to which there is opportunity for volunteers to participate in organizing and implementing the festival.

·  Extent to which the applicant ensures an appropriate measure of public access. Consideration will be given to free events vs. ticketed events and ticket prices.

·  Extent to which the Festival enhances the quality of life by offering opportunities to Edmonton residents.

·  Extent to which the Festival contributes to the cultural development of Edmonton.

·  Extent to which the Festival caters to a broad audience.

·  Innovative program development by the Applicant.

Applicant Name / Recommended Amount / Percentage of Revenue / Grant Request / Last Grant
Thin Limits / $3,000 / 9.7% / $7,000 / $13,500
1998 Arts Operating
Chant O’uest 1999 / $7,500 / 8.3% / $13,000 / $5,000
1997 Seed
Shri Ganesh Festival of India / 0 / n/a / $13,700 / n/a
TOTAL / $10,500 / $33,700
Funds Available / $15,500
Funds Remaining[1] / $5,000

Attachment 1 - Page 1 of 1

Attachment 2

THIN LIMITS

Produced by Film & Video Arts Society (FAVA)

Festival Dates: September 18 - 26, 1998

Festival Location: Arts Barns

Projected Revenue: $31,035

Grant Request (% of Revenue): $ 7,000 (23%)

Last grant: $13,500 1998 Arts Operating(for FAVA,the organizing society’s ongoing operations)

The objective of Thin Limits is to celebrate multimedia arts. The festival will be “an exploration of the edges that connect art, technology and people”. (from the application) Thin Limits will include 8 installations/performances at the Arts Barns, 3 multimedia events encouraging audience participation, and one offsite multimedia event.

Projected attendance is 2000. Admission to all events including the opening Gala is free.

The jury recognizes the merit of this event and rated the application high on accessibility and contribution to cultural development . The jury felt that Thin Limits has the potential to develop into a major media arts festival and advises the festival to form more partnerships, consider additional program components and the inclusion of some ticketed events. The jury had the added advantage of having attended the festival prior to the meeting.

The jury recommends a grant of $3,000.

The recommended grant represents 9.7% of the projected revenue.

Attachment 2 - Page 1 of 1

Attachment 3

CHANT O’UEST 1999

Produced by Gala Albertain de la Chanson

Festival Dates: June 13 - June 20, 1999

Festival Location: La Cité, Timms Centre

Projected Revenue: $89,825

Grant Request (% of Revenue): $13,000 (14.5%)

Last grant: $ 5,000 (1997 Festival SEED)

Chant O’uest 1999 will highlight French Canadian music and will include other cultural and artistic activities including exhibits and a n educational component. The Gala albertain de la Chanson has been chosen to host the 10th annual interprovincial songfest, which will include national broadcasts.

The jury recognizes the merit of this festival and rated it high on enhancement of quality of life and cultural development. The jury commended the organization on its fiscal responsibility but would, however welcome an increased opportunity for volunteers and an effort to appeal to a broader audience.

The Jury recommends a grant of $7,500.

The recommended grant represents 8.3% of the projected revenue.

The jury noted that Gala Albertain de la Chanson is ineligible for Festival SEED funding in 1999 and must apply under the Festival Operating Community Investment Program.

Attachment 3 - Page 1 of 1

Attachment 4

Shri Ganesh Festival of India

Produced by The Jhankaar Society for the Music & Dance of India

Festival Dates: September 19 & 20, October 31, December 18

Festival Location: Sub Theatre, U of A

Projected Revenue: $23,700

Grant Request (% of Revenue): $13,700 (58%)

Last grant: n/a

The purpose of the Shri Ganesh Festival is to “achieve appreciation and understanding of the diverse and multicultural community

of Edmonton”. The event will consist of Classical and Contemporary Indian music and dance presentations.

Jury Recommendation May 1998

The jury recognizes the merit of this proposal and would like to support it. However, the application was weak and lacked detail .The jury rated the festival low on public accessibility, and recommends the inclusion of some free events. In addition, the jury would like to see a stronger plan to promote the festival in the general community and would welcome an educational component In addition, the jury advises the festival to develop a detailed budget specific to the festival.

The jury recommends no grant be awarded at this time, but encourages the Jhankaar Society to address the concerns mentioned above and to reapply before August 31, 1998.

Jury Recommendation October 1998

In the opinion of the jury, the Festival of India is not clearly an emerging festival and appears instead to be a series of separate recitals. While recognizing the merit of this event, the jury expressed concern that the scope doesn’t seem to allow it to achieve emerging festival status.

The jury recommends no grant be awarded, however encourages the Jhankaar Society to apply for funding through the 1999 Art Operating Community Investment Program.

Attachment 4 - Page 1 of 1

[1] The Jury recommended that the Edmonton Arts Council accept proposals for collaborative projects as set out in Policy C211 - C for the remaining $5,000 not awarded.