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 12 is known as the Ancaster area. Its borders by the former Town of Dundas and Highway 8 (north), municipal boundary (west), Sawmill Road/city limits (south) and Glanbrook Road (east). Ward 12 also includes Redeemer University College, the Meadowlands Power Centre, Copetown, Sheffield, Lynden and Jerseyville.
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.
Robert Baboth
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
This is like asking me who is my favourite child. With that being said, I have two favourites: Hamilton Arts Week & Hamilton Fringe Festival.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
Engaging the Youth of our community at a young age. This should be a priority for children to learn the love of the arts. As we know when it comes to budget constraints the arts programs are usually the first ones to go. We need to find a way to change this paradigm and ensure that todays youth will become tomorrow’s arts and culture advocates.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
I would support increased funding for the Arts Advisory Commission of the city of Hamilton. The mandates are as follows: “Recommends activities for the stabilization and strengthening of the arts community”; “monitor and assist with the implementation of the Arts Award Program and Public Art Program”; inform Council of issues and achievements in the Hamilton Arts community and are a point of contact for members of the arts community regarding issues affecting the arts community”
I would apply to become a committee member, so I am in a better position to advocate.
I sat on the former H.E.C.F.I. Board of Directors where I learned firsthand the importance of the role that the Arts and Culture play within our city.
Craig Cassar
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
There is such a range of events in our city that I would encourage people to get engaged and attend what appeals most to them as I think there are options for just about everybody. But, to land on just one, I would recommend Supercrawl, not just because of its imminence, but for the following reasons:
- It’s free, and that means more than ever given the challenges of the past 2.5 years and the inflation we are currently experiencing
- It brings people together so they can feel the energy of the community and connect with others
- It’s held in an exciting part of town that offers so many shops and restaurants to explore
- It’s easily accessible by public transportation and Hamilton Bike Share
- The caliber of artists is top notch
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
To preface my answer, I will say that my perspective on this topic is being provided without yet having deep involvement in the community and without conversations with community leaders. I fully expect my views to evolve, but I offer this initial thought:
I’ll focus on a specific area that I believe is one of the most important long-term opportunities: encouraging and developing youth to explore the arts and develop their talents in this area. Developing arts and culture requires a growing population actively participating in the sector and bringing new ideas and energy. If you allow my answer to bleed a little bit into the next question, our city needs to provide easily accessible and affordable opportunities for youth to participate and flourish in the arts. This means high-quality programs and opportunities to connect with mentors who can encourage and guide them.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
As a musician and current supporter of the arts community, I will endeavour to advance the arts – at a minimum – in the following ways:
- I will lead by example and attend as many events as possible to bring profile to the arts community in ward 12 and the broader city. With the opening of the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, we are well poised to begin an exciting new chapter in the evolution of our performing arts community.
- I will commit significant time and effort to meet with and listen to the arts community. It is the vision of the leaders within this sector that the City needs to understand and support.
- I will work with all stakeholders to find ways to provide the arts community with the space, funding, and profile required to grow successfully
Richard Deverson
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
I love cultural events. I think our biggest is Festitalia which I have patronized many times. I think multiculturalism is a foundational Canadian value….sadly Very much unlike most other countries in this ol’ world.
I would like to work with groups & hospitality Hamilton, who would like to host other multicultural events. Likely beginning with Hamilton’s next biggest ethnic sub community and plan a full week of celebration for them. Perhaps Indian or Spanish… and use the convention Centre & Hamilton place to host the events
We could use the airport to being in guests from those area. Like a Scottish marching band…
I would like to host an Indigenous PowWow for a week too
Also we have a great art gallery.
Theatre Aquarius is great.
The HPO is a blessing to the city. How to assist them after the recent tragic loss of Boris.
Hamilton place is an incredible Theatre which is very much underutilized. How can we get more citizens attention events which appeal to them… instead of at casinos.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
See above.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
I will convene meetings of like minded individuals to discuss what is possible.
Cindy Kaye
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
We are very fortune to have many wonderful arts events in Hamilton. All are a must do for Hamiltonians. Participating in these events gives the community an opportunity to experience culture and creates more social engagement. Offering the ability to share experiences, stories and traditions from different social groups and ethnicities.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
I see two opportunities to expand the arts and culture in Hamilton.
One, is to attract and retain new business in the community. With more arts related businesses (music, film) comes more economic opportunity, local employment growth and further development of the arts scene.
Two, more youth engagement. Offering the opportunities for our youth to be more involved in the arts allows for future growth of this arena. Be it through additional youth community initiatives, such as open drop-in opportunities at our local parks, recreation centres and schools.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
If elected, I would be an advocate that % of the primary funding be allocated to both the above opportunities. Offering new businesses incentives to build their business plans in Hamilton. At the same time, furthering the opportunity for open communications with the arts community and our schools/recreation centres.
The arts bring people together and remove barriers, living with the pandemic, we need that now more then ever.
Megg Markettos
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
Just one? Supercrawl of course is an experience for Hamiltonians as well as our visitors to the City of Hamilton. You can consume all types of art and brings everyone in the city together in a very culturally meaningful way! If you’ve never been to SuperCrawl, you need to go!
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
Hamilton Ontario is known across the province as a cultural hub. People come from all over to experience the music, visual arts and performing arts that Hamilton has to offer. Combined with affordable parking and amazing food, Hamilton is a destination for the Arts. Having said that, it is primarily in the downtown and I’d love to see more of that expanded into the other areas with Mini-Crawls, outdoor art installations, and more live music across the city! We have a wonderful base to jump from and I think the residents and our visitors are ready for next level arts and culture.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
As the breadth of what constitutes “ARTS” has expanded over the past decades, spending, both grants and private donations, have been spread thin amongst the various types of art that is ever changing and ever expanding. The municipality plays an increasingly important role in funding the arts both in cash and in-kind Partnerships. I would absolutely support the City of Hamilton supporting as a Partner, the Arts and Culture community. We need to feed the Arts, especially post pandemic as we all need that bonding and emotional connection we receive from consuming and being a part of music, fine art, and performance arts.
No Response Received
Chuck Alkerton
Karl Hanley
William Robert Hume
Bob Maton
Pamela Mitchell
