PUBLIC MINUTES

PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Friday, March 14, 2025 at 2:30 P.m. - 4:30 P.m.

Committee Room E, Ground Floor, City Hall

PRESENT:

• James Hawn, Public, Chair
• Müveddet Al-Katib, Public, Vice Chair
• Kehan Fu, Public
• Sabrina Kehoe, Public
• Ella Dawn McGeough, Public

ALSO PRESENT:

• Councillor Kathryn MacDonald
• Public Art Consultant Henry Lau
• Committee Assistant Holly Thompson

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis People and confirmed roll call.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: M. Al-Katib

  That the agenda be confirmed as presented.

  CARRIED

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Moved By: E. McGeough

  ​That the minutes of the Public Art Advisory Committee meeting held on February 14, 2025, be adopted.

  CARRIED

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

VERBAL UPDATES

6.1

REPORT OF THE CHAIR

This is a standing item on the agenda to provide an opportunity for the Chair to provide a verbal update on his/her activities since the last meeting.

No updates were provided.

6.2

COMMITTEE OR RESOURCE MEMBER UPDATE

6.2.1

K. Fu - Project Riversdale Chinatown

A verbal update was provided on the following: 

Project Riversdale Chinatown

Kehan Fu advised the Committee of an initiative called Project Riversdale Chinatown. The initiative will be a 2 year pilot and activate the area with a combination of public art installations, community programming and archival preservation.

• Moved By: S. Kehoe

  That the information be received.

  CARRIED

6.3

SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE

This is an opportunity for the subcommittees to update the Committee.

• Moved By: M. Al-Katib

  That the subcommittee updates contained in Items 6.3.1 to 6.3.3 be received as information.

  CARRIED

6.3.1

Public Education Subcommittee

This subcommittee was established to create materials to educate Saskatoon on the Committee. 

Ella Dawn McGeough along with Müveddet Al-Katib provided an update from both the Public Education and Awareness and Events Subcommittee. 

The following goals were provided for consideration by the Committee:

• Raise awareness of temporary public art and pop-up public art. 
• Engage communities through participatory and socially engaged public art. 
• Support emerging artists in application and creation processes.
• Advocate for city funding for short-term pop-up public art projects.
• Utilize public spaces for public art like parks and civic centers while navigating regulations.
• Raise Awareness of the public art program to local art organizations, the University of Saskatchewan, and other Saskatoon city committees, immigration organizations. 

Committee agreed to add the goals as part of the 2025 work plan. 

6.3.2

Professional Development Subcommittee

This subcommittee was established to research professional development opportunities for members.

Sabrina Kehoe, along with Kehan Fu provided an update from the Professional Development Subcommittee. 

The following goal was provided for consideration by the Committee:

• Plan to enhance the professional development of all Public Art Advisory Committee members to ensure greater transparency and consistency in our adjudication of public art. This will ensure that all public art pieces align with the City’s public art goals, contribute to reconciliation, enhance the cultural vibrancy of Saskatoon, and enrich our community.

Committee agreed to add this goal as part of the 2025 work plan.

During the discussion, the Committee requested that a past adjudication evaluation matrix be shared to help them familiarize themselves with the requirement categories.

6.3.3

Awareness and Events Subcommittee

This subcommittee was established to assist in the planning of the future educational events and workshops.

A verbal update was provided in item 6.3.1.

7.

REFERRALS FROM COUNCIL OR COMMITTEE

8.

WORK PLAN CONSIDERATION [ADV2025-0303]

In accordance with the Committee's Terms of Reference, it shall submit an annual report outlining the previous year’s accomplishments and a work plan for the upcoming year. 

As stated in the Terms of Reference, the Committee shall submit a work plan for the upcoming year to City Council, through the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services.

At the February 14, 2025, meeting of the Public Art Advisory Committee this matter was deferred to allow time for members to convene in subcommittees to develop their work plan ideas for discussion at the next meeting. Furthermore, the 2025 work plan was discussed and three categories were selected:

• Public Education for Artists;
• Public Awareness for Community; and
• Education for the Public Art Advisory Committee members.

Members were asked to share their subcommittee ideas for the 2025 Work Plan and finalize them for submission, which was discussed under item 6.3.

The Committee agreed that the Chair and Committee Assistant would finalize the 2025 Work Plan based on the goals outlined in the subcommittee updates and submit it on behalf of the Committee.

• Moved By: E. McGeough

  That the Public Art Advisory Committee draft its Work Plan for 2025, for submission to City Council through the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services by March 31, 2025.

  CARRIED

8.1

WORK PLAN - UPDATES AND REFERRALS TO STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE

This is a standing item on the agenda for the Committee, and/or any subcommittees, to provide updates regarding items on its work plan and any matters being referred to the Standing Policy Committee for consideration. 

9.

BUDGET

The Committee reviewed the current Statement of Expenditures.

• Moved By: M. Al-Katib

  That the information be received.

  CARRIED

10.

ADJOURNMENT

• The meeting adjourned at 3:49 p.m.