City increases Hamilton artist grants for first time in 15 years

Hamilton artists were relieved and excitedTuesday as city councillors voted for the first major boost in arts funding in 15 years.

Currently, Hamilton residents pay $3.08 percapitain arts funding. But with a unanimous vote at Tuesdays budget meeting, councillors voted to spend another $3 per household to help local artists, or $500,000 more per year.

Im kind of shaking, saidSvavaJuliusson, chair of Hamilton Artists Inc. It means many things for us. It means a level of sustainability. Its a way for us to be able to plan beyond next week or next month.

It was very emotional.

Tuesdays vote actually means another $800,000 more in arts grants in Hamilton. The Hamilton Community Foundation pledged another $300,000 if councillors voted in favour.

• Is Hamilton's arts scene worth paying $3 more in taxes?

Artists and arts organizations will apply to the city, and a peer-review panel will assesses the applications. The grants are part of the City Enrichment Fund, which councilapproved last summer.

You make our city proud, and you deserve this.- Coun. Jason Farr

The city hasn't significantly increased its arts funding in 15 years, said Stephanie Vegh, executive director of the Hamilton Arts Council. Five years ago,the city struck a task force for the arts. In 2013, that group produced a report showing Hamilton artists made an average of $27,000 per year in 2011, and only 30 per cent of that came from their art.

It also showed that Hamilton funds the arts at a rate of $3.08 per capita compared to cities such as Ottawa ($10.10), Winnipeg ($7.51), Waterloo ($4.73) and Windsor ($3.86).

All councillors approved the increase. That includes Coun. Judi Partridge of Ward 15, who said she voted against it on March 1 because she wants to keep down tax increases in her Flamborough ward.

"You make us laugh and cry," said Coun. Jason Farr of Ward 2. "You make us think. You make us want to dance and sing. You make our city proud, and you deserve this."

Councillors talked about the economic spinoff the arts bring. The city will use key performance indicators to monitor how the spending benefits the city.

That pleased Coun. Terry Whitehead of Ward 8.

Every time we put more money out, were putting more challenges on individuals who cant stay in their homes, he said. That was always my benchmark. Having said that, its clear its an economic issue, not just a quality of life issue.

Whitehead also wants staff to make sure the grants are distributedthroughout the city and not just one geographic area.

The 2015 city budget sits at a 3.1-per cent increase over last year. Thats an increase of $97 per year on a home valued at $284,600 and an assessment growth of 1.3 per cent.

At Tuesdays meeting, councillors are also deliberating another 0.3 per cent worth of enhancements, or another $845,760.

That includes another $1.2 million tohire 30 more paramedics and one supervisor, and put five more ambulances on the road. It also includes another 3.5 staff tomonitor and develop policy around air quality.

City council expects to ratify the budget on April 8.

samantha.craggs@cbc.ca|@SamCraggsCBC