Supplementary Agenda of Community, Culture and Events Committee Meeting

Item No. 10

Supplementary Agenda (Open Portion)

Community, Culture and Events Committee Meeting

Page 4

11/7/2018

REPORT TITLE: Creative Hobart Quick Response Grant Request – “Dear kunanyi”

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Acting Associate Director Community Development

Acting Manager Community and Cultural Programs

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. This report is to consider a grant application for cash support through the Creative Hobart Quick Response Grant Program for the visual arts exhibition “Dear kunanyi” to be held at the Salamanca Arts Centre in August 2018.

1.1.1. The grant application from Respect the Mountain aligns with the grant criteria but due to the potential controversial nature of the exhibition, it is considered appropriate that approval for the grant be delegated to the Council.

2. Report Summary

2.1. A grant application has been received from Respect the Mountain for cash support of $1,000 towards a visual arts exhibition at the Salamanca Arts Centre in August. The grant application is shown at Attachment A.

2.2. The application was received for the Creative Hobart Quick Response Grant Program that provides up to $1,000 in cash support for events and activities in the Hobart city that meet the broad criteria of the Creative Hobart Strategic framework.

2.3. The exhibition will feature 195+ artists responding to the presence and impact of Mt Wellington / kunanyi in their practice and social lives.

2.4. As a visual arts exhibition and creative event, “Dear kunanyi” meets all assessment requirements of the grant fund with the grant application being for $1,000 to be utilised towards venue costs at the Salamanca Arts Centre.

2.4.1. The requested amount covers 4% of the total expense of the project.

2.4.2. The requested funds will not cover or contribute to any costs associated with artists or promotion of the event.

2.5. Respect the Mountain is a recognised and active participant in anti-cable-car and anti-development of Mt Wellington / kunanyi discussions and events.

2.6. It is acknowledged that financial support of this event could potentially create the impression or perception of bias and impinge on the City’s requirement to remain impartial in enacting its other responsibilities, as a land owner and planning authority, specifically in any future discussions around the development of Mt Wellington / kunanyi and the proposed cable car.

2.7. In correspondence with the curator, advice was received that only two of the 195+ artworks are actively discussing, engaging with or responding to the issue of the proposed Mt Wellington cable car. However, it is acknowledged that the whole exhibition reflects the social position of the Respect the Mountain group. The correspondence with further detail on the exhibition is shown at Attachment B.

2.7.1. It is noted that it is very unlikely that there will be any works that promote a “pro” development / pro cable car position.

2.8. Given the possible interpretation around the City’s support for this event, it is considered appropriate that the final decision to approve this grant should be made by the Council.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The Council approve the application to the Creative Hobart Quick Response Grant Program from Respect the Mountain for $1,000 cash to support the “Dear kunanyi” arts exhibition.

2. The funding for the grant be attributed to the Community Development Policy Management - Grants allocation in the 2018-19 Annual Plan.

3. The grant provision be recorded in the ‘Grants, Assistance and Benefits Provided’ section of the City of Hobart’s Annual Report.

4. Background

4.1. The application is for a visual arts exhibition titled “Dear kunanyi” by community group Respect the Mountain.

4.1.1. The exhibition is described as a “..contemporary artistic responses to kunanyi / Mount Wellington, featuring the work of 195 artists from Hobart and beyond. The exhibition looks at our relationship with the mountain, its importance to our city and its presence in our lives”

4.1.2. The exhibition will be held at the Salamanca Arts Centre Long Gallery for four days (8-12 August, 2018)

4.1.3. Participation in this event was through an “open call” process with no restrictions on age, experience or medium.

4.1.4. The project will feature 192, predominantly Tasmanian, artists (three from Victoria, two from Queensland, one from the United Kingdom).

4.1.5. The project is to be auspiced through Constance ARI.

4.2. The project as proposed meets all assessment guidelines of the Creative Hobart Fund, and was recommended for funding through the quick response grants assessment process.

4.2.1. The purpose of the fund is to ‘…provide financial assistance for projects and programs that contribute to Hobart as a creative city, support and enhance the cultural life of Hobart and take place in the Hobart municipal area’

4.2.2. The criteria for the fund is for events and activities that positions:

4.2.2.1. The City as a platform for cultural expression and creative participation

4.2.2.2. The City as an incubator of creativity

4.2.2.3. The City as a connector of creativity.

4.3. The application to the fund is seeking support to offset some of the venue hire costs of the Salamanca Art Centre long Gallery.

4.3.1. Total cost of the project / exhibition is $21,798

4.3.2. Total cost of the venue is $1,670

4.3.3. Total request to the city is $1,000.

4.4. The application was submitted on 4July, 2018 by the curator, Rebecca Holmes.

4.4.1. Rebecca Holmes is the co-curator and principal coordinator of the project.

4.4.2. Ms Holmes is currently the Visual Arts Program Officer at the Moonah Arts Centre and was previously the Art Educator and Children’s Festival Coordinator at TMAG.

4.4.3. Ms Holmes runs / maintains the “Respect the Mountain” website.

4.5. Respect the Mountain is “…a community based group who believe there are options for sustainable and sensitive development based at The Springs, which would cater for tourists and locals alike. These options do not include a cable car and summit development.”

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. It is proposed that the Council approve the application to the Creative Hobart Quick Response Grant Program from Respect the Mountain for $1,000 cash to support the “Dear kunanyi” arts exhibition.

5.2. The funding for the grant be attributed to the Community Development Policy Management - Grants allocation in the 2018-19 Annual Plan.

5.3. The grant provision be recorded in the ‘Grants, Assistance and Benefits Provided’ section of the City of Hobart’s Annual Report.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. This proposal supports the Capital City Strategic Plan 2015-2025, Goal 1 - Economic Development, Vibrancy and Culture, "City growth vibrancy and culture comes when everyone participates in city life".

Strategic Objective 1.5 - Cultural and creative activities build community wellbeing and economic viability.

2 – Urban Management, “City planning promotes our city’s uniqueness, is people-focussed and provides connectedness and accessibility”.

Strategic Objective 2.4 – Unique heritage assets are protected and celebrated.

6.2. This exhibition strongly aligns with the Creative Hobart Strategy.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. Support for this grant is available in Community Development Policy Management - Grants allocation in the 2018-19 grant budget in the annual plan.

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. It is considered that financial support of this event could potentially create the impression or perception of bias and impinge on the City’s requirement to remain impartial in enacting its other responsibilities, as a land owner and planning authority, specifically in any future discussions around the development of Mt Wellington / kunanyi and the proposed cable car.

8.2. In correspondence with the curator, advice was received that only two of the 195+ artworks are actively discussing, engaging with or responding to the issue of the proposed Mt Wellington cable car. However, it is acknowledged that the whole exhibition reflects the social position of the Respect the Mountain group.

9. Social and Customer Considerations

9.1. The value and connection of the community to Mt Wellington / kunanyi is undeniable and it is acknowledged that the future direction of development on the mountain, including in relation to the cable car proposal, is a very divisive issue.

10. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

10.1. The General Manager, Manager Development Compliance and the Grants and Activation Coordinator were consulted in the preparation of this report.

11. Delegation

11.1. This matter is delegated to the Council for consideration.

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.