Item - 2019.EC5.8

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the allocations of Grants to Specialized Collections Museums program funding of $682,848 to the following organizations:

2.  City Council increase the Approved 2019 Economic Development and Culture Operating Budget by $200,000 gross, $0 net, fully funded from the Major Special Events Reserve Fund (XR1218), to provide a grant of $200,000 to help fund the transition of the Design Exchange from a design museum to a festival, exhibition and event programmer with a focus on design, innovation and technology.

This report recommends allocations for three not-for-profit organizations that have applied for funding through the Grants to Specialized Collections Museums (GSCM) program administered by Economic Development and Culture (EDC).

2019 marks the second year of the GSCM program following Council's approval of the program in November 2017. The total program funds for these allocations is $682,848 as approved by City Council on March 7, 2019 as part of the 2019 Operating Budget, which is the same amount as for 2018. Allocation recommendations in this report are based on the review by EDC's Arts and Culture Services staff and advice from an external peer advisory panel.

A one-time allocation to the Design Exchange (DX) is also recommended in this report to support the organization's transition from a design museum to a festival, exhibition and event programmer with a focus on design, innovation and technology. Design Exchange was previously funded through the GSCM program. The funding will be used to continue public programs, operations, and planning towards the second edition of the EDIT festival in 2020.