DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design
	PREPARED BY:	Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development
	DATE OF MEETING:	February 21, 2006
	SUBJECT:	Proposed Environmental Art Event for 2006

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report to Development Service Committee dated February 21, 2006 entitled “Proposed Environmental Art Event for 2006” be received;

THAT staff and the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee undertake an “Environmental Art Event” in conjunction with the Town’s 2006 Communities in Bloom Program;

AND THAT funding to a maximum of $20,000 be provided from Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #56-5350-5293-005, “Town Wide Public Art” for all costs associated with administering and implementing the “Environmental Art Event”;

AND FURTHER THAT, staff provide regular updates to Development Services Committee on the status of the 2006 environmental art event.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s authorization to permit staff and Markham’s Public Art Advisory Committee (MPAAC) to undertake an “Environmental Art Event” which complements the Town’s 2006 Communities in Bloom Program.

BACKGROUND:

The Town of Markham has identified “Communities in Bloom” as a priority for 2006 as it enters the National Communities in Bloom Competition. The Communities in Bloom program is designed to involve residents of all ages, municipal government, local organizations and businesses to improve the tidiness, appearance and visual appeal of neighbourhoods, parks and open spaces and streets. Communities in Bloom focuses on improving the Town’s quality of life and community pride through the imaginative use of flowers, plants, trees, environmental awareness and the preservation of culture and heritage.

In order to support Markham’s 2005 Communities in Bloom program, Council approved a “2005 Environmental Art Event”. Markham’s Public Art Advisory Committee invited four environmental artists to create unique works of art in parks in Unionville, Thornhill, Markham Village and Milliken Mills. Participating artists were: Jennie Clark, Kylah M. McGlade, Dawn Dale, and Farhad Nargolwalla. Each artist created an installation that fit the specific nature of the chosen site. The temporary art works featured the use of stone, sound, wood, and paint. (See attached brochure.)

This event was very successful and received much public acclaim including significant local media attention. Similarly the Community in Bloom judges were very impressed with this unique initiative and were able to view three of the four installations.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

For 2006, staff and the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee (MPAAC) would like to undertake another “Environmental Art Event”. This year the MPAAC would like to focus on involving community members, particularly students and youth, as well as accomplished artists. Kelly McLeod who serves on MPAAC and is Principal of Markham District High School has indicated that there is keen interest among her colleagues in both the public and separate school systems to work with the Town on this initiative. The concept is that professional artists would work alongside students and residents to create temporary works of art.

Funding to a maximum of $20,000 is requested to undertake an invited “2006 Environmental Art Event” and to cover all costs associated with administering and implementing the event.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Staff recommend that funding to a maximum of $20,000 be provided from Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #56-5350-5293-005, “Town Wide Public Art” to undertake an invited “Environmental Art Event” in the summer of 2006. Currently, $55,000 remains in this account.

Currrent Budget: $55,000 (#56-5350-5293-005)

2006 Environmental Art Event -$20,000

Budget Remaining: $35,000

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Markham Public Art Advisory Committee and the Director of the Varley Art Gallery have been consulted in the preparation of this report.

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning & Urban Design

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

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