Candidate’s Info:
Angelo Marignani
11250 Wyandotte street East
Windsor Ontario
N8P 1J9
Ward ward 7 Windsor
519 817 1045
milkcoffeebar@gmail.com
voteangelo.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?
Angelo Marignani: I see the first recommendation as being my first priority as it includes all the citizens of Windsor.
Recommendation 1
Adopt a Vision for Culture in Windsor
The overall vision for the City of Windsor according to the City’s strategic plan is: “Windsor is a quality city full of history and potential, with a diverse culture, a durable economy and a healthy environment where citizens share a strong sense of belonging and a collective pride of place.” Clearly the on-going development and promotion of the City’s cultural sector will help further this vision by capitalizing on Windsor’s diverse culture and helping to develop pride in our city. Building upon this (as well as the City’s public art policy and the draft cultural policy approved in principle by Council in November 2005) and looking at how other cities have expressed the vision of their own cultural development strategies, we have developed the following recommended future vision for culture’s place in Windsor. This vision guides the recommendations contained within the rest of this plan. Remember that Windsor’s greatest asset is our peoples creative spirit. This innovation made the minivan and we will do it again!
Assessment for a new City of Windsor museum
A feasibility study should be undertaken for an expanded, new municipal museum that would enable the City to display a greater range of themes (than is offered at the current facility) that reflect the rich history in the area. (Note that the City’s 2008 capital budget has approved an amount of $110,000 for such an assessment.) The study would look at locations, themes and stories to be told as well as the marketing and financial sustainability of a new operation. The feasibility study should proceed with an understanding that a new museum would be a long-term project, to be in place by a specified target date within the foreseeable future. (Depending upon specific timing, this may require some re-prioritization of the City’s 5-year capital plan.) In addition, the question of an expanded municipal archive should also be addressed within the context of this study. It should not necessarily be assumed that a downtown location is ideal for this facility – a variety of potential sites (including but not limited to the downtown) should be considered. The study should also explore the possibility of using the Chimczuk legacy as seed funding for the community museum and as a means to leverage additional funds.
Museums are an excellent place to learn about art as it relates to history. The art in museums represents the evolution of our understanding of society. These innovative works are symbols of how humans have learned to perceive their world. Historical art is a record of a time, place and situation. The technological innovations of particular time periods are reflected in those periods’ works of art. We have so much to offer the world. This museum can be automotive, rum running history , the underground railroad, It defines who we are and creates a sense of pride.
Finally I feel the Extend public art policy would be good for the citizens, and for all civic developments. Windsor should officially incorporate a ‘1% allocation’ of the budget for construction costs of civic buildings for public art projects into its existing public art policy, likely up to some capped dollar-amount per year (e.g. $300,0002). Any acquisition and unveiling of a new public work of art should strive to generate media attention to demonstrate the City’s support for the cultural sector.
Public art uses art and artistry to create or define a sense of place by incorporating original works of art by visual artists into public spaces. It involves the public from artist selection to dedication and is often integrated into the work of other design professionals, such as architects or landscape architects.
Why is public art important?
It enhances the city’s quality of life by:
Making the places where we live, work and play more welcoming and beautiful.
Creating a deeper interaction between the community and its environment.
Adding dimension to civic spaces.
Increasing the community’s assets by creating images that help define a space.
Allowing the community to express its identity and values.
Demonstrating pride in corporate citizenship.
Affirming the educational environment.
Enhancing roadsides, pedestrian corridors and community gateways.
Beautifying the transportation systems.
Helping green space thrive.
the bottom line is it is attractive to outside investors in making Windsor an attractive place to invest. Nobody moves to Windsor because we have a nice Costco.
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?
Angelo Marignani: Being the owner of a business that is based on the visual , spoken and musical forms of art I see first hand the importance of art in attracting new business. A favorite quote of mine is ”Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art. Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art” (Andy Warhol). As far as funding I see private investors and Grant money from The Canada Council for the Arts. Which is a national arm’s length agency created by the federal government in 1957 to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.” To fulfil this mandate, the Canada Council provides grants and services to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations .
We must lobby the federal and provincial governments for these grants.
The Capitol theater must be open for the citizens of Windsor. As for the Armories Symphony project, I sat on the Armories Symphony feasibility board and did so because I feel strongly for it’s importance in making Windsor a world class city.
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?
Angelo Marignani: First and foremost, I will work with the art community and see what their aspirations are for our city. I would do what ever is necessary to promote the arts in our community. Creating Shows and Contests would also promote the arts in our region. Art festivals that infuse local wineries always seem to do well for the artists and the local wineries. We need to promote what makes us great. And we are great, I lived in Tokyo for most of the 90”s and let me tell you we have more talent in Windsor than Tokyo does. We just need to nurture it so that it stays here in our city.
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?
Angelo Marignani: Out of a $314 million operating budget, 1% that is $3,140,000
The change in attitude of my constituents would make the amount less contentious, but the economic growth as a result will make the following years budget allotment even higher.Once people see how much better this is for our community they wont be able to see how we could live without it.
Art is a reflection of who we are and it is vital for the development of community pride.
When something benefits our city and it’s people, it will be hard to see how we can live without it. Remember, only with great risk is it possible to have great achievement. Its time to make this city great ,It can be done!
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.
Angelo Marignani: I believe strongly with the mission statement of the Municipal Cultural Master Plan. The development of the MCMP is predicated on the City’s need to invest in its cultural sector to a greater extent and in a more strategic way. This is what a healthy and creative city should do as a matter of course, not only to provide a full range of opportunities and amenities for its citizens, but also to foster an approach to economic development that will attract residents, visitors and investment and help define a positive image and brand for the community. The MCMP can be an integral part of a Windsor renaissance – the City’s re-invention of itself. We are the creative class, we are Windsor. We will dream more, learn more, do more and become more and why? because we CAN. Thank you.
