Candidate’s Info:
Fulvio Valentinis
2173 Victoria St.
Windsor, ON
N8X 1P8
Ward Ward 3 / Windsor
519-977-5067
fvalentinis@gmail.com
www.fulviovalentinis.ca
1. Implementing the MCMP:
The Municipal Cultural Master Plan represents a strong commitment by the City to significantly support the arts in a variety of ways that will help to harness the economic and creative potential of the entire arts community, however, there has not yet been a firm commitment in terms of schedule or budget to realize any of the new proposed initiatives in the MCMP. Of the 15 as-yet-unrealized recommendations in the MCMP, which ones would you prioritize and complement with the necessary financial support and political commitment in order to successfully implement them?
Fulvio Valentinis: The Municipal Cultural Master Plan (MCMP) was developed through an extensive public consultation process with the community. Its adoption by Council represents a commitment by the City to increase its focus on and support for the arts. The following recommendations would be my priorities:
Recommendation #7 – Establish arm’s length Cultural Funding Commission
This needs to be implemented in conjunction with Recommendation #8 – Develop cultural organization investment strategy and fund.
Although Council will set the amount of funding, the arms-length funding commission will allow the arts community and the community at large to become more involved and play a larger role in the distribution of funding. Care must be taken to ensure that “flagship” cultural institutions such as the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and the Art Gallery of Windsor are able to access multi – year funding to ensure stability and long term planning.
This recommendation also proposes to increase funding for cultural organizations by $50,000 per year which still leaves the City well below comparable cities.
Recommendation #12 – Establish civic cultural awards program
Let’s celebrate and raise the profile of the arts. We have the Business Excellence Awards. Let’s have a comparable evening to celebrate achievement and honour the arts community at all levels. Years ago a similar celebration was held at Mackenzie Hall on an annual basis. This tradition needs to be revived and enhanced.
Recommendation #14 – Develop cultural tourism plan (focused on visitors)
Working with Tourism Windsor Essex and Pelee Island we can combine our history and geography with art. Marketing and programming can revolve around festivals such as Epicure, Erie Shores Wine Festival, Art in the Park, Bluesfest, etc. or themes such as Hiram Walker, War of 1812, Rumrunners, Underground Railroad. If we create packages that include visits to Detroit i.e. Greenfield Village, Detroit Institute of Arts, the critical mass of art and culture attractions is raised significantly.
A vital part of this tourism plan is also to create a cultural hub in our downtown. Discussed below.
Recommendation #13 – Provide capacity – building support for cultural organizations
Partnering with the University of Windsor, St. Clair College and the Windsor Essex Development Corporation we are in a position to provide capacity building support and help with general management, grant writing, marketing and audience development. The result is the arts groups become more self sufficient, more stable and are able to grow and become more vibrant.
2. Arts Infrastructure:
Given the substantial economic, cultural, and social successes realized by other North America cities through the development of exceptional arts facilities, given the enthusiasm for multiple arts organizations in the region to work together and the proven track record of such facilities to transform the urban landscape, and given the recently adopted Municipal Cultural Master Plan’s directive to provide capacity-building support for arts organizations, how will you support our region’s infrastructural needs for multi-use, multi-organization arts and culture facilities such as the Capitol Theatre and Armouries-Palace?
Fulvio Valentinis: The Armouries is an unpolished gem in our city core. A heritage building, rich in history it presents to us a wonderful opportunity to animate and bring a new element of vibrancy to our downtown. The City should be commended for partnering with the federal government to create a joint police / federal government training facility on the west side thereby ensuring municipal ownership of the Armouries. Several ideas have been put forth for its reuse including: a community museum, a permanent year round home for the downtown market, a military museum and a performance centre or a philharmonic hall. At the same time the City has possession and ownership of the former bus depot (presently the downtown farmers’ market) and hopefully soon the Capitol Theatre. With control over these three pivotal properties an exciting opportunity has presented itself to establish a new cultural hub downtown to augment the St Clair Centre for the Performing Arts and the Coliseum at Caesars’ Windsor.
3. Economy and the Arts:
Artists and arts organizations across the region bring in millions of dollars every year in revenue through grants, sales, private investment, and donations, infusing additional millions of dollars back into the local economy. Over the last twenty years, across the province, arts and culture industries grew 14% more than the rest of the economy. As the arts are a long-proven driver of economic development in the city and beyond, what will you do to ensure that the arts and culture community can bring even more investment, talent, and dollars to the region?
Fulvio Valentinis: To ensure that arts and culture community can thrive and grow the economy, the City needs to enhance its support of the arts. Establishing a sustainable funding model as discussed above is important, as is ensuring access to affordable performance sites and facilities. The Riverfront Festival Plaza and performance stage, Charles Clark Square, Willistead Park, our riverfront parks, the Capitol Theatre and the Armouries all provide potential venues for different arts and culture activities.
Arts and culture industries and activities are an economic driver and the demographics of an aging population dictate they will continue to be so. It is only fitting therefore that both Tourism Windsor-Essex and Pelee Island as well as the Windsor – Essex Development Corporation be involved in the support and marketing of arts and culture.
4. Arts and Culture Funding:
Strong financial investment in arts and culture has direct and tangible economic and social returns, as measured by economists such as Richard Florida, Statistics Canada, and the Conference Board of Canada, and as demonstrated in cities around the world. This investment engages residents and draws new talent, assists in fostering new businesses, and creates a healthier and more vibrant community. With that in mind,how much of the municipal budget would you allocate to arts and culture, and how would you justify that spending to your constituents?
Fulvio Valentinis: Windsor lags behind other cities of comparable size in Canada when it comes to spending on arts and culture. The long term goal should be close to 1% of the city’s operating budget. However, the arts community needs to make progress in getting financial support for its endeavours on a more regional basis.
5. Your vision for our Region’s Arts and Culture:
Please briefly describe your vision for the near, medium, and long-term future for arts and culture in Windsor and/or Essex County.
Fulvio Valentinis: Near Term Vision:
- Stabilize the future of the Capitol Theatre
- Establish an arms-length Cultural Funding Commission
- Engage the participation of Tourism Windsor-Essex and Pelee Island and the Windsor Essex Development Corporation in the support and funding of arts and culture
- Move to implement the Municipal Cultural Master Plan
Medium Term Vision:
- Establish a civic cultural awards program
- Develop a cultural tourism plan
- Provide capacity – building support for cultural organizations
- Enhance links to Detroit area cultural and arts organizations and facilities
Long Term Vision:
- Economic diversification through job growth and investment in arts and culture industries
- Windsor and region becoming an increased attractive retirement area because of enhanced arts and cultural offerings
- Vibrant and bustling city core centering around arts culture
- Increased corporate and philanthropic donations and bequest to the arts
