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 4 is known as the East Hamilton area, an urban ward situated in the lower city below the Niagara Escarpment. Its borders are the Niagara Escarpment and King’s Forest Golf Course (south), Hamilton Harbour (north), Ottawa Street (west) and the Red Hill Valley/Expressway (east). Approximately one-third of Ward 4 is industrial and commercial land, including Dofasco.
In a joint partnership between the Hamilton Arts Council and Beyond James, a nonpartisan candidate survey was sent to these 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.
Maxwell Francis
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
Every year i look forward to the Hamilton Film festival and Supercrawl. But there are so many amazing and unique opportunities in this city to experience art in all its forms.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
As with most things there is never enough funding to go around. I think we have the opportunity to think outside the box and ask ourselves “How can we get artists the spaces and recognition they need to continue their work.
Not only that, but how do we make them feel valued?!
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
If elected I will continue my work on the board of directors of the Art Gallery of Hamilton and I’d like to expand that by making myself available to meet and promote existing as well as up and coming artists.
I would also like to look into more artist run co-op spaces and how we can make that a reality.
I believe that all work has value and all artists should be valued.
Angelica Hasbon
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
The Artcrawls are a must-do event for every Hamiltonian. I remember when we used to have the bi-weekly art crawls during the summer, and I’d take my camera and compile pictures of so many different installations and experiences, I loved its consistency because it felt like a moving gallery. I think this is an important event for every Hamiltonian to experience. It’s organic to the core. It’s Hamiltonian.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
I believe that we should be able to ensure that our artists are supported not only in terms of opportunities to exhibit their work but also in terms of opportunities to sustain themselves and their families. When it comes to education and our school systems, I see an opportunity to increase arts and culture in Hamilton, allowing students to establish an early relationship with the community in order to build the necessary skills and networks for the industry. This means city councillors need to have conversations, establish good relationships with school board trustees and collaborate on issues for the purpose of student success. The before and after school programs are a great opportunity to help students build up important skills, and the arts can be part of this process. With the cost of childcare and the demanding work lives of parents, why not expand the arts and culture in Hamilton through the school system?
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
I will leverage my position as City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton by working to find more avenues for local artists to showcase their work in a way that pushes for regional, national, and international recognition. For example, let’s make more sustainable connections between artists and the film industry! Let’s make it possible for local artists to be at the forefront of these experiences, not as volunteers, not as expectators, but as part of the industry. As a City Councillor, I will also leverage my position to advance the arts in Hamilton by working with school board trustees to establish more before-and after-school programs that support the arts. We have an opportunity to support youth mental health through the arts. For example, 70% of mental health problems happen during childhood and adolescence, and Canada’s youth suicide rate is among the highest. Why not leverage the arts as a way to support the well-being of our youth? This is incredibly important and has been increasingly neglected. Let’s change that! Let’s support youth by helping them find creative and healthy avenues to relieve stress and promote mindfulness. Let’s build resilience. Let’s help students develop, explore, and empower their identities through the arts. Let’s advance the arts in Hamilton, through our youth, through empowered opportunities, through change.
Tammy Hwang
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
Hamilton Fringe – it is an opportunity to support all different types of art including theatre, galleries, and film. And it supports local content creators and actors while also experiencing stories from different perspectives in a live venue. Many times, people treat a night out at the Hamilton Fringe as an opportunity to also eat at a local restaurant, spend time in different venues, see a variety of acts and it is the epitome of highlighting and showcasing the vibrancy of our arts and culture scene in Hamilton.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
The Bridgeworks is a great success in my mind as it’s a former City of Hamilton property that has been transformed into an arts space. This is an example of the City investing in the arts and culture of our community and it’s been a great business model to follow. I also believe a concerted and thoughtful approach to a dedicated arts space that can provide affordable live/work rents and studio spaces that will attract artists from outside of Hamilton in, would greatly enhance our arts and culture in Hamilton. I also see an opportunity to empower our community to create art opportunities in their own neighborhoods – create toolkits and resource workbooks to help guide community members on the do’s/don’ts, and rules to follow in order to make it happen.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
As a City Councillor I’d like to explore ways to find funding for our Arts Community. This may mean evolving the current City Enrichment Funding or finding ways to leverage city dollars with other levels of government to create dedicated or pooled funding opportunities. Coming from Economic Development, I’ve also seen amazing collaborations on art and community spaces and adding sustainable/scalable business models to them so they can be self-sustaining. I want to leverage my existing network and platform to find opportunities for partnerships so we can help the independent artists and arts centred around indigenous and persons of color so we’re actively building up vibrancy within our community.
Alex Johnstone
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
There are so many excellent art events that take place across Hamilton annually that it is hard to pick just one! From Friday night Art Crawls to Supercrawl, the Festival of Friends, AGH exhibitions, Theater Aquarius performances, Fringe Festival, Dusk Dances, independent films at Playhouse Cinema, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra performances, or Country Music Week when Hamilton is the host city every few years — just to name a few.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
Many Canadian cities have begun to install seasonal or permanent, interactive outdoor art installations to raise awareness about local history and culture. For example, the Red Embers Indigenous Art Installation at Ashbridges Bay Park in Toronto, Vancouver offers self-guided public-art tours which has featured the topics of homelessness and the opioid crisis, Burlington’s has the interactive Singing Tree permanently displayed on the Elgin Promenade and Montreal is host to Festival Mural. Toronto also offers Arts in the Parks which brings free, family-friendly theater and arts events to parks while Brampton offers free live music at their Thursday Night Concert Series. By working with the Hamilton’s Art Council and our local school boards, there is a wonderful opportunity to expand Hamilton’s already thriving arts scene to offer more free public arts to celebrate and reflect on Hamilton history and culture.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
If elected, I would enthusiastically support the expansion of free public art festivals, events and installations as they create opportunities for the community to come together in learning, joy and wonder.
Pascale Marchand
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
I love and recommend that every Hamiltonian participate in the Winter Solstice Festival. I first attended this event to support my friend and artist Edgardo Moreno. However, I was quickly captured by the feeling of hope, light, and warmth on this shortest day of the year. The art installations, the music, and the parade along the Rail Trail bring the community together on the darkest day.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
Part of my Healthy Neighbourhoods strategy includes the revitalization of the Pipeline Trail. The Pipeline Master Plan dates back to 2015. Even thought it is slightly outdated, it recommended public art installations along the trail. I believe there is an opportunity to commission local artists to create public art for this space. In fact, the interest for past events like the deLIGHT festival proved that locals support art along the historical trail. Admittedly, there was an incident of vandalism in 2020, but the community rallied in support. The Pipeline Trail cuts diagonally through nearly all of Ward 4, including underserved and lower-income neighbourhoods. Art nurtures creativity and provides hope. Art is needed in this space.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
In Quebec, about 1% of the total construction budget of a public building or site is allocated for public art. This policy promotes creativity, supports local artists, and enriches public spaces. Since its adoption in 1961, more than 3,700 pieces were commissioned and installed throughout the province. I support a similar policy for the City of Hamilton. There is an opportunity to apply such a policy with the development along the LRT corridor in the coming years.
Adam Oldfield
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
Art plays an important role in our lives. It can provide us with beauty and inspiration, and it can also help us to better understand the world around us. Hamilton is fortunate to have a number of art events throughout the year, including Super Crawl, the Brott Festival, and the special exhibitions at the Art Gallery. These events offer a great opportunity for people to come together and enjoy the arts. I would encourage everyone to participate in the new Winterfest activities. Winterfest is a great way to experience the arts in Hamilton.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
Hamilton is an industrial city with a rich arts and culture scene. The waterfront expansion project is one opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton. The project will create new public spaces for festivals and events, as well as opportunities for local artists to showcase their work. The downtown entertainment district is another opportunity to support arts and culture in Hamilton. The district is home to many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, as well as the Hamilton Academy of the Arts. By supporting local businesses and hosting large events, the district can help to promote the arts in Hamilton. These events provide a platform for artists to share their work with the community, and they also help to build a sense of pride in Hamilton’s arts and culture scene.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
Art and culture are an essential part of any thriving community. They add to the richness of our lives and help to create a sense of identity and belonging. Unfortunately, the arts and culture sector is often one of the first to be cut when budgets are tight. I believe that this is short-sighted, and I will continue to advocate for financial support programs for local artists and the art & culture communities. The arts & culture sector is a major contributor to the economy, and it plays an important role in attracting new businesses and residents to our community. By supporting the arts, we are investing in our future and ensuring that our community remains a vibrant and welcoming place to live.
Robert Paris
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
Regular visits to the Art Gallery for new exhibits. Art Crawl on James St N (not just Supercrawl). Concrete Canvas, during the event and afterwards.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
In my ward (4) I hope to initiate more walkable neighbourhoods. This will include open air art installations, as well as incentivising new galleries and popup art shows.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
As mentioned in the previous answer, to help incentivise opportunities for new venues for artists to showcase. I would use connections I have in the artist community to help facilitate this.
Laura Taylor
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
I think Supercrawl is a must do event for each Hamiltonian. Its a wonderful event, bringing showcase to many local artists. I would like to see this expanded in the near future.
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
I feel we have many opportunities to expand arts and culture. First of all I would like to see more street festivals. Not just in the downtown core but across the city. Doing this would engage and allow residents who may not be able to participate to begin getting involved with arts. It would also be nice to see more performances such as theatre preformed outdoors. This would help to draw in more people to our city which would benefit the city as a whole. This is only the beginning, we have so many opportunities to grow our arts!
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
I would promote promote promote everything going on around the city. As well as work with committees to expand festivals and entertainment. Helping to create by laws that would allow different events in areas of the city it doesn’t current allow for.
Eric Tuck
What arts event is a must do for every Hamiltonian?
We have so many great events to choose from between Festival of Friends, Supercrawl, Fringe, Cactus Festival, Peach Festival ect. My all time favorite would have to be Festival of Friends as the grandfather of the first free arts festival with 3 days packed with all of our favorite musical artists, crafters and culinary/cultural arts. I remember volunteering when the Festival was only one 1/2- 2 day with Bill Powell and watching it grow to what it is today has been amazing. My grandkids now look forward to it every year!
What do you see as an opportunity to expand arts and culture in Hamilton?
East Hamilton-Ward 4 has so much potential to support and encourage the promotion of the arts. We also have a diverse ward full of culture and history that is important to remember and recognize.
An opportunity I would push hard for is working with local businesses and community groups to bring an Arts and Crafters Market to our parks and green spaces. The Ottawa St Farmers’ Market has been integral to the revitalization of the Crown Point area by promoting local arts, artisans, agriculture and business while also fostering a very important sense of community for the surrounding area. I would love to see something similar in the Parkdale and Kenilworth area. My other ideas include pop up live theater, cultural events and performances at local parks. I see the arts as an amazing way to promote and for the community to make use of the amazing green spaces we have in the Ward like the Redhill bowl. Many areas in our ward hold great importance for our indigenous communities and I would love to encourage and promote more indigenous art and cultural events for our community and kids to learn from and experience.
If elected, how will you leverage your position as a City Councillor to advance the arts in Hamilton?
Arts and culture in Hamilton is incredibly important to me. It has made a huge difference in my life and was essential for me as I grew up in Hamilton to learn about and care for the city and community I live in and hold dear. I use every opportunity I can to connect my family and grandkids to our arts and culture as well.
I absolutely would be a vocal advocate and supporter at every opportunity and would vote to financially invest in them. I would help advocate to all levels of government that the Arts are a celebration and expression of who we are as a society.
I would urge both government and business to recognize the economic vitality of the arts as an economic stimulus and generator.
As City Councillor for Ward 4 I would also advocate to expand public arts and culture events and activities in our Ward by working collaboratively with local artists, community groups, businesses and leaders to push for an additional Arts and Crafters’ Market in the Kenilworth and Parkdale area and expanded public arts and culture programming and events in our green spaces.
No Response Received
Maxwell Francis
Cindy Kennedy
Mary Williams
