It’s election season in the City of Hamilton. Nine candidates are vying for the mayoral seat, and a further 81 are vying for 15 City Council seats. It is not unreasonable to expect that the political landscape in Hamilton is about to shift significantly.
According to the City of Hamilton, Ward 15 is known as the Flamborough East area and includes the urban area of Waterdown. The south and south-east border runs along the edge of the Niagara Escarpment from Ofield Road South until it turns north and north east and runs in a straight line on Kearns Road and Milburough Town Line until the City of Hamilton, the Region of Halton and Wellington County meet at Mountsberg Conservation Area.
The north-west edge of the ward runs from Mountsberg Conservation Area along Puslinch Road, south-west along McDonaugh Road, and then along Highway 6 until it turns west on Concession 6 West.
In a joint partnership between the Hamilton Arts Council and Beyond James, a nonpartisan candidate survey was sent for prospective leaders to map out their vision for our city. Just three questions have provided a window into what those running for office in Hamilton would do to invest in creativity.
The Hamilton Arts Council will utilize survey responses to continue conversations with elected councillors following the election.
Ted McMeekin
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
I believe that without music and the arts life is a mistake.
There is also ample evidence that a strong art and cultural profile in a community is the best indicator of overall economic health (the Bohemian index).
Our family has been active participants in the Hamilton theatre and dance scene. Love Supercrawl and similar events
Am active with the Art Gallery of Hamilton – unappreciated by many but a real cultural treasure.
Finally artists need to not only survive but thrive in our city. As a local councillor I want to stand in affirmation of our local art and cultural talent and public spaces.
Sumaira Waqar
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
Some events listed below are the examples of Arts events which I think is a must do for every Hamiltonian.
- Events by ARTFEST: Artfest is produced by Greater Hamilton Arts & Events which is a registered non-profit organization, they are famous of producing, managing, and promoting arts & cultural events in the greater municipality of Hamilton, outside of the downtown core. ArtsFest is a focal point for residents of the host community, engaging them with visitors from GTA and beyond, as they discover the cultural diversity of Canadian visual and musical artists, and the area’s local businesses.
- Events by AGH-ART GALLERY OF HAMILTON: The AGH is renowned for presenting outstanding exhibitions and complementary programming for visitors of all ages. There is so much to see and experience. In addition to AGH Tours and AGH Talks, the Gallery offers studios for adults and kids, family activities, school programs, festival programming, performances, and more.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
- To have more Art and Cultural Festivals in Hamilton.
- To provide facilitation for community to implement the approved Cultural Plan from the city.
- To build awareness of participation in culture by working collaboratively with partners to build strong cultural institutions.
- To support the wider arts community to enrich Hamilton’s quality of life. This support is accomplished through recognition events and community consultation in addition to involving the arts community and the community directly in public realm place making through the commissioning of Public Art and other arts and culture related projects.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
- To develops and implement dynamic, innovative, and accessible events and festivals, which celebrate the richness and diversity of Hamilton, enriching the quality of life for residents and attract tourist audiences.
- To work with event planners and different organizations to increase event delivery capacity and provide public access to quality and safe events in the community.
- To work with the management, multi-stakeholder coordination and communication, identification of locations, negotiations with production companies and art industries with a goal to enhance the city’s image, grow audience participation, foster civic pride, and increase Hamilton’s economic activity and impact.
No Response Received
Zobia Jawed
Robert Kunysz
Chris Pera
