The next Mayor’s Spotlight on the Arts will use funding from the public art reserve to pay for video production services.
However, Councillor Jim Ridley found the extra $11,000 proposed in the arts and culture budget from the reserve account objectionable.
Ridley said funding for an event is an operational expenditure and not a public art program.
Manager of community enrichment Brenda Caston explained the video productions of the past two years for the event were provided in-kind.
“This year and next year the people producing the videos would like to be paid for it,” Caston said.
She said the videos, which feature those honoured at the event, celebrates community members’ contribution to culture and can be shared into the future.
“So we think it should come out of the public art reserve,” Caston added.
Ridley proposed a motion, which was defeated, to find a different funding source for the event’s video production.
He said the public art committee is working on a three-year program for community art. Add a major $100,000 commission this year for the Multiplex art piece to the funds for the event and Ridley said that leaves the account depleted and affects the long-term plans of the committee.
Mayor Ron Casey said he thinks the funding for the videos fits the purpose of the reserve.
“This is a lasting legacy about public culture and it is as good as any public art piece,” Casey said.
