Candidate’s Info:
Eddie Francis
2950 Dougall · Unit 7
Windsor, ON
N9E 1S2
Phone: (519) 966-7780
info@francis2010.ca
www.francis2010.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?
Eddie Francis: The role that arts and culture play in a city has long been recognised as a key element in the character of a city. I have always been a vocal supporter of the value of the arts in Windsor and it was under my leadership that Council undertook the Municipal Cultural Master Plan Study. The arts in every form, helps to create a sense of place and contributes to the economic and social health of a city. Now that the recommendations of the MCMP has been adopted by Council, and some of those recommendations have already be implemented, I believe that the first step moving forward is to hold a Cultural Summit early in 2011 to bring all of our partners to the table to prioritize the recommendations in the report prior to Council’s 20ll budget sessions.
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?
Eddie Francis: Council and I have been consistent in our message to the community regarding the Capitol Theatre. I have been very public in my comments not only about the historic value of the theatre to the character of the city, but in the value of the Capitol to the community arts organizations and other groups. I believe that the City of Windsor is the rightful owner of the Theatre and in order to ensure its viability and sustainability in the future, there must be an educational use included as well as continued access for community organizations.
The most high profile potential use for the Armouries at present has come from the Symphony. There are, however, other ideas that have been proposed for the facility. Again, I believe it is Council’s responsibility to consider all potential uses, including business plans for the viability and sustainability of the use before making a final decision.
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?
Eddie Francis: By adopting the Municipal Cultural Master Plan, Council and I have sent a strong signal to the community that we are serious in our support and continued investment for the arts sector. As I responded in question one, the arts not only help to create a sense of place and add to the quality of life of our city, they also contribute to the economic well-being of the city.
I do believe that now that we have adopted the MCMP, once the priorities have been identified, Council needs to now determine the fiscal resources required to implement the plan and, with all of the other issues before us, how we can budget over the next few years to enable us to follow through on the recommendations.
In the interim, I think there are some steps we can take in the short-term to promote and highlight the arts. I have proposed that we create an “Artists Alley” on Pelissier Street by offering local artists FREE use of existing city-owned ground floor retail space. I would also re-establish the Mayor’s Awards for the Arts to recognise contributions made by individual artists, businesses, benefactors and arts organizations. We can bring international attention to our city by partnering with our Twin City in Changchun, China by working with them to establish the Windsor International Sculpture Symposium to twin with the internationally renowned Changchun Sculpture Symposium and expand upon the legacy of the Odette Sculpture Park.
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?
Eddie Francis: I have said on numerous occasions that the arts in not only of benefit to the City of Windsor, it is a regional benefit as well. That being said, under my leadership, it was this Council that established and funded the Cultural Affairs Office within the city’s administrative structure and it was this Council that not only undertook, but adopted the Municipal Cultural Master Plan, and we are the only Council that has consistently contributed financial resources to the arts sector. As I said, now that we have adopted the MCMP, Council needs to identify the fiscal resources required to implement the plan. That conversation can begin during the 2011 budget discussions. I also believe that it is not only the municipality’s responsibility to support and encourage a vibrant arts sector. I have said on numerous occasions that, if the arts sector, government, and business came together to create a common funding mechanism, the community would be that much stronger. As indicated in the MCMP, the system, like many, is uncoordinated and in many instances, works against itself. It is my hope that with the vision expressed in the Master Plan, that coordination of effort can begin.
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.
Eddie Francis: The City of Windsor and region has never been short on talent or creative expression in all forms. I never understand when people say there is nothing to do in Windsor. We have a wealth of community theatre groups, an award-winning Symphony, a beautiful Art Gallery, a diversity of heritages and languages that most cities could only dream of, vibrant educational theatre and arts programmes, a new MediaPlex, galleries, local clubs and numerous music, theatre and film festivals…..I could go on and on. We already have a vibrant and diverse arts community.
In the short, medium and long-term, we need to begin to implement the recommendations contained in the MCMP while at the same time, we all need to find ways to continually highlight and celebrate the arts in our community so that every resident sees the value of the arts to their daily lives. We need to move the arts outdoors more and take it to where people live, all over the city. Our residents need to see art, hear art, feel art, not just once in awhile but in as many ways and in as many places as we can showcase it.
Please visit my website at www.francis2010.ca for further details on our Plan to Move Windsor Forward. Thank you.
