Mayor's Task Force - Arts and Theatres
Toronto - Mayor Rob Ford is pleased to announce the creation of the Mayor's Task Force - Arts and Theatres. As part of the Arts sector, the three city-owned theatres play a role in helping the city develop our economy. A number of recent reviews, including the Creative Capital report, the KPMG Core Service Review report, and the city's own Core Service public consultation process have questioned the city's rationale for owning and operating live theatres. The Core Service Review process has also proposed changes to the way that arts related grants are administered by the city. The Task Force would like to engage the broader community and provide input into the City Manager's review process as these questions are being explored.
"I want to thank Councillor Crawford for taking the lead on this important issue," said Mayor Rob Ford. "He has brought together an impressive group of citizens that I know will bring forward, new and creative ideas," he added.
"I am excited to be working with such a respected group of arts leaders. This is a great opportunity for the arts and theatres sector in Toronto," said Councillor Gary Crawford.
The Mayor's Task Force shall identify options and make recommendations to address the following objectives:
Objective 1: to help determine the future of city-owned theatres and the city's role in supporting them.
Objective 2: to provide advice on an efficient restructuring of the arts grant program and that it meets the city's need for fiscal responsibility, and the arts community's need for concise and consistent funding structures it can leverage to support the city's economic development goals.
Achieving this mandate may include identifying and making recommendations with respect to:
- What role theatres can and do play in the arts sector of the local economy.
- What role city-owned and/or operated theatres can, do and should play in the local economy.
- What changes may be required to the city's theatre operations to maximize their economic impact.
- What shareholder direction should be provided to city-owned theatres in order to achieve the city's objectives.
- What theatres, if any, should be divested by the city and in what manner this should occur.
- What external body can best administer the arts grant program.
- What, if any, additional resources may be required by the external body to administer a larger portfolio and how those resources should be funded.
- What criteria the city should attach to its arts funding.
- What process and timeline makes sense to transition from the current arts funding program to a new one.
Reports on each of the objectives shall be provided to the Mayor's Office, so as to inform discussions at the Executive Committee as follows:
Objective 1: Initial report by end of November 2011.
Objective 2: Report by to be confirmed.
The Task Force will be chaired by Councillor Gary Crawford, Ward 36 Scarborough Southwest. Other members shall include:
- Ms. Susan Crocker
- Dr. Jim Fleck
- Mr. Robert Foster
- Mr. Chris Lorway
- Others to be appointed by the Mayor
At the discretion of the Chair, the Task Force may convene one or more stakeholder reference groups to provide ad hoc advice, assistance and information on one or more issues of interest to the Task Force.
-30-
For further information please contact:
Tina Ferreira
Executive Assistant
Office of Gary Crawford
Councillor, Ward 36
Scarborough Southwest
Tel: 416-392-4052
Cel: 416-803-3148
Email: tferreira@toronto.ca