Candidate’s Info:
Don Merrifield
1264 Bruce Ave
Ward 3
519-562-1796
donmerrifieldjr@gmail.com
www.vote4don.com
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?
Don Merrifield: 16. Looking into working and living facilities for Artists could also be part of a brownfield redevelopment project. Having Artist sudio, living area, and gallery all in one place would serve not only the Artists, but the community as a whole. Work that into a larger project to involve a whole Arts Complex with a retail, restaurant, museums, and office spaces. The Distillery District in Toronto being a perfect example. This could easily be done in Windsor in a vacant factoy to be refurbished with an theme that is Windsor based.
10. Hosting an Arts Summit to get all the groups in one place to decide on a direction and priorities for Arts and Culture in this area
Any of the options outlined that have no increased costs and could be handled under current depatments (maitenance of the Odette Sculpture Garden, etc) should be continued.
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?
Don Merrifield: The Capitol theatre is a great asset to Windsor and a great venue. That being said the City needs to get out of ownership and running of facilities. I’d like to see the Capitol Theatre offered to the University for their use as a facility for their Arts Programs, with the condition that it still be offered to community Arts Groups.
The Armories-Palace Arts Hub idea is a great idea but funding would have to be found to turn the idea into a reality. The City can’t be the sole source of funding for a $30,000,000 project given the financial constraints we are currently operating under. I would hope the Arts community could source some private investment and investment from other levels of Government to assist in funding the project. The City would also be a part of the funding process.
The current venues offered by the City for use by the Arts community should be offered at a minimal costs to assist in promoting news festivals and events. Red tape and cost are always a problem in dealing with the City and needs to be fixed. The venues are here and available we need to let people and groups use them.
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?
Don Merrifield: I would ensure closely working with the Arts community for promotion of projects and to assist any development that the Arts Community puts forward. Promoting our City as a place for Artists to live and work would serve the Arts Community by having more Artists locate here, and economically benefit the City. Windsor is a low cost area to live and this should be promoted to other areas to attract Artists to our City.
I would also promote to the private sector ideas and projects for redevelopment of factory and industrial space that would have a Arts and Culture portion involved. Brownfield redevelopment is a great opportunity for developers and investors to help revitalize neighbourhoods. Having the Arts Community involved at a neighbourhood level is always a benefit to the area and any development or project.
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?
Don Merrifield: I would like to continue the current level of spending on the Arts and Culture part of the budget, and then would have to look at each idea or project on an individual basis to determine funding levels. To set a predetermined amount of funding as a per centage of the overall budget would not be the best policy. I would like to insure that taxpayers dollars allocated to any Arts projects are generating the best value and return on taxpayers investment. We have to fund and promote the best ideas put forward by the Arts community, not just blanket fund the sector.
Reduction is costs associated with Arts and Festivals Groups that want to use City Owned Venues such as the Armories building, Waterfront Festival Stage, etc.
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.
Don Merrifield: I’d like to see the costs that Festivals have to pay for use of City owned facilities be greatly reduced or removed. Doing so would help the current festivals and events expand and would hopefully allow other ideas to come to fruition. Cost and red tape at the City level is always a big hurdle for any idea to get off the ground. The City need to start seeing themselves as a partner with the community instead of the ”Gate Keeper” to all that happens in our community.
Although I have been an Artist for over 25 years I don’t assume to have all the answers, and any Candidate or current Councilor that claims they do isn’t being honest. That’s why we have to look to the experts in the Arts Community to put forth a direction for the Arts and Culture for the City, and assist in any way possible to bring their ideas and projects forward. Having lived in a City where Arts and Culture are a vibrant parts of the community I undestand and see the benefit of having a thriving Arts and Culture sector in our City. Working closely with an organized Arts community is the best way for the City to move forward with a plan that would benefit all members of the community.
The best way to have Windsor become an area for Arts and Culture is to have a City where our kids don’t have to leave to other Cities to pursue their aspirations. Having a strong diversified economy will provide our kids with opportunity right here in Windsor to live and work. With the number of kids coming out of Arts programs at out local schools this would be the best opportunity to develop Arts and Culture in our area.
