Candidate’s Info:
Al Maghnieh
1768 Northway #1
Windsor, Ontario
N9B 3M2
Ward Ward 10
519-817-0189
maghnieh@gmail.com
www.almaghnieh.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?
Al Maghnieh: i will try and keep my responses as straight forward and to the point as possible.
After thorough review of the MCMP, I firmly believe that we must adopt recommendations 7, 9, and 15 in the new council session. It is very important to develop an engagement strategy and communications plan as the foundation, and subsequently follow this process with funding.
Fiscal implications to this plan should be met with a willingness from stakeholders including the City of Windsor to participate in offsetting funding pressures.
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?
Decisions surrounding the Armories and potential partnerships, needs to be addressed by stakeholders and our community. A healthy debate and collective discussion must take place. In principle this proposed idea has merit and can be a tool for downtown diversification.
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?
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?
Al Maghnieh: It is very difficult to allocate a certain amount to a funding program without a proper budget process. I am in favor in funding Arts and Culture initiatives, however it is important to establish a solid results based plan which outlines specific objectives and can demonstrate it’s impacts. On each basis we can establish how much funding can be allocated. I am open to reviewing proposals for funding and I would look forward to participating and voting in favor of those that can demonstrate a positive impact on our community.
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.
Al Maghnieh: Our community is has the potential to offer culturally diverse arts programming to the Downtown business and residential communities, and audiences from the greater south western Ontario region. Our downtown can offer musical performances, plays, dance programs, entertainment, shows and displays of the performing and visual arts through the media of stage, theater and telecommunications. Together we can encourage and promote the creation, development and advancement of the performing and visual arts; and to help advance key partnerships that can be created with our post secondary institutions and strategic partners. Windsor is the best place to live, the best place to invest and the best place to raise a family. With increased investments in the Arts and Culture community, our whole city can benefit economically, due to increase activity and commerce. Not only is this about economics, but also what the Arts and Culture provides to society and our community through the historical and social aspects.
This is why the advancement of Arts and Culture in our community is so important.
