Extension of City's Agreement with the Toronto Arts Council

The Economic Development Committee recommends the adoption of the report (March 17, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism subject to amending Recommendation (1) by deleting the words "six months" and inserting the words "three months", and deleting the date "September 30, 1999" and inserting the date "June 30, 1999", so as to read:

"(1)the Grant Agreement between City of Toronto and the Toronto Arts Council to administer the City's grant program be extended for a period of three months from the expiry of the current Agreement on March 31, 1999 to expire on June 30, 1999, by which time a report on the terms of the new Agreement will be forthcoming; and".

The Economic Development Committee submits the following report (March 17, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

Purpose:

To extend the City's current Agreement with the Toronto Arts Council by six months.

Source of Funds:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the Grant Agreement between City of Toronto and the Toronto Arts Council to administer the City's grant program be extended for a period of six months from the expiry of the current Agreement on March 31, 1999 to expire on September 30, 1999, by which time a report on the terms of the new Agreement will be forthcoming; and

(2)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At its meeting of December 16 and 17, 1998, City Council approved the Toronto Arts Council as the arm's length body to administer the City's grants program for arts and cultural organizations and artists. The terms of a new Grant Agreement between the City of Toronto and the Toronto Arts Council are currently being developed.

Discussion:

The Toronto Arts Council is an incorporated, not-for-profit organization that operates under the authority of a grant agreement originally established with the former City of Toronto. The five-year term of the Agreement expires on March 31, 1999. In November, Council had suggested that the Agreement with the Toronto Arts Council be extended for a period of one year pending resolution of the long-term structural issues. In December Council provided direction on the administration of the various parts of the cultural grants portfolio. It is appropriate to extend the current Agreement by six months to provide sufficient time to complete discussions on the new Agreement. A full report with the particulars of the new Agreement, including its term, will be forthcoming at that time.

Conclusion:

Extension of the Toronto Arts Council's Agreement to September 30, 1999 will provide stability to the 1999 grants program while the new Agreement is being completed.

Contact Name:

Beth Hanna, Culture Division

392-5225