Candidate: Matt Marchand
Municipality: Windsor
Position: Mayor
What opportunities do you believe Windsor-Essex has to grow our art, culture and heritage sector?
Windsor has many opportunities to grow our art, culture, and heritage sector. I touch on a few of these in our Windsor 2022 strategy, including creating sidewalk plaques, creating a fund to support public art installations, and encouraging heritage building renovations. https://votemarchand.com/windsor-2022-framework-for-city-wide-strategy-on-homelessness-opioid-and-crime-with-focus-on-downtown/
How do you propose to attract or retain artists and cultural workers in your community?
Having a livable community is important to attract and retain artists, cultural workers, and people in general. We want to fulfill Windsor’s economic potential by providing residents and current and future employers with a place to live that meets their needs. This will be done through the Community Livability Fund, offering up to $50 million over 10 years. https://votemarchand.com/matt-marchand-for-mayor-campaign-announces-community-livability-fund-up-to-50-million-over-10-years/
What role do you see for arts and culture in the promotion of the region both as a destination for tourists and as a place of permanent residence for youth, families, and retirees?
In addition to the arts community locally with great exhibits and opportunity at the Art Gallery of Windsor and Common Ground Art Gallery, I would note the benefits that we have across the River. We have the Detroit Institute of Arts, which is known internationally, as well as the Detroit Public Library.
In what other ways could you use your position as an elected official to help support the arts, culture and heritage sector outside of using municipal funding?
I would like to see support through corporate philanthropy. We in the community have not done as good of a job as we could in engaging corporate philanthropy as Detroit has, for example.
What is your perspective on the best ways to collaborate with other levels of government to ensure sustainability and growth for the cultural sector of our community?
With 12 years of experience in the Mayor’s office as policy advisor to Mayor Mike Hurst and six years as the President & CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, I am skilled in collaborating with other levels of government. If there is opportunity for the community, I’d like to look at it.
How do you personally engage with arts, culture and heritage in Windsor-Essex?
I enjoy the Art Gallery of Windsor, we just checked out the opening of the Women of Windsor exhibit. I am also a fan of the murals in Maiden Lane and in Ford City. Looking to Detroit’s Eastern Market is a good opportunity for more ideas.