Item - 2021.MM31.33
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on April 7 and 8, 2021 with amendments.
MM31.33 - Protecting and Preserving Independent Live Performance Venues and Drag Bars - by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on April 7 and 8, 2021, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to review and explore the feasibility of expanding the Creative Co-Location Facilities Property Tax Subclasses to include independent live performance venues, such as drag bars and small independent theatre and consider the impact, eligibility, administrative efficiency and alternative measures and report back to City Council in the fourth quarter of 2021 on any proposed changes.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Toronto Arts Council, to convene a roundtable to consult with local stakeholders and community leaders on how the City of Toronto can further support independent live performance venues including drag bars, and report back in the first quarter of 2022, including but not limited to the following stakeholders:
a. Aki Studio Theatre;
b. The Assembly Theatre;
c. Red Sand Castle Theatre;
d. Crews and Tangos;
e. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre;
f. Woody's and Sailors;
g. Glad Day Book Store;
h. Space Space Revolution; and
i. Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts.
3. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, with the benefit of community consultation, to explore expanded supports for creative businesses and cultural organizations, such as, but not limited to, independent bookstores, theatres, drag bars and other live performance venues, to ensure the preservation and expansion of independent, creative space in the City, with a report to the Economic and Community Development Committee by the first quarter of 2022.
4. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in collaboration with the Toronto Arts Council, to explore expanding granting opportunities and granting reform, to improve outcomes for access to grants for equity-seeking group artists and arts organizations, to increase cultural funding equitably, and to develop new approaches to non-grants assistance, such as professional development, financial literacy and referrals to relevant services, with a report to the Economic and Community Development Committee by the first quarter of 2022.
5. City Council request the Provincial or Federal Governments to urgently consider creating new or expanding existing financial programs to support artists, performers, live performance venues, including drag bars through grants and other COVID-emergency relief funding to preserve the arts.
Background Information (City Council)
Motions (City Council)
Speaker Nunziata advised Council that the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, require that Motion MM31.33 be referred to the Executive Committee. A two-thirds vote of the Council Members present is required to waive referral.
That City Council delete the Recommendations and adopt instead the following new recommendations:
1. City Council request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to review and explore the feasibility of expanding the Creative Co-Location Facilities Property Tax Subclasses to include independent live performance venues, such as drag bars and small independent theatre and consider the impact, eligibility, administrative efficiency and alternative measures and report back to Council in the fourth quarter of 2021 on any proposed changes.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Toronto Arts Council, to convene a roundtable to consult with local stakeholders and community leaders on how the City of Toronto can further support independent live performance venues including drag bars, and report back in the first quarter of 2022, including but not limited to the following stakeholders:
a. Aki Studio Theatre;
b. The Assembly Theatre;
c. Red Sand Castle Theatre;
d. Crews and Tangos;
e. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre;
f. Woody's and Sailors;
g. Glad Day Book Store;
h. Space Space Revolution; and
i. Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts.
3. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, with the benefit of community consultation, to explore expanded supports for creative businesses and cultural organizations, such as, but not limited to, independent bookstores, theatres, drag bars and other live performance venues, to ensure the preservation and expansion of independent, creative space in the City, with a report to the Economic and Community Development Committee by the first quarter of 2022.
4. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in collaboration with the Toronto Arts Council, to explore expanding granting opportunities and granting reform, to improve outcomes for access to grants for equity-seeking group artists and arts organizations, to increase cultural funding equitably, and to develop new approaches to non-grants assistance, such as professional development, financial literacy and referrals to relevant services, with a report to the Economic and Community Development Committee by the first quarter of 2022.
5. City Council request the Provincial or Federal Governments to urgently consider creating new or expanding existing financial programs to support artists, performers, live performance venues, including drag bars through grants and other COVID-emergency relief funding to preserve the arts.