Study focusing on arts, culture
Three Rivers to pay Toronto-based firm $40,000 to come up with strategy
THREE RIVERS – Three Rivers council has hired a Toronto-based firm to conduct an arts and culture study in the municipality.
TCI Management Consultants was awarded $40,000, including HST, to conduct the study – a decision that was made during a Three Rivers regular council meeting in Georgetown on Jan. 11.
The municipality's festivals, arts, culture and events (FACE) committee had selected its top pick for the study a week ago.
Mayor Edward MacAulay, who sits on the committee, said the purpose of the study is to see what's needed across the region to better the arts and culture sector, make it sustainable in the long-term and give its groups a collective strategy.
"It's kind of moreso for the organizations to get the support that they need and really to illuminate their strengths."
The firm was selected because it has experience doing a good job.
"Definitely this one stood out above the rest," events co-ordinator Cathleen MacKinnon said.
"We just felt that TCI presented a very clear and strong presentation of what is needed in the strategy," MacKinnon said.
TCI's work plan was selected out of five other candidates for being one of the most thorough and innovative. As well, many of the firm's past studies have proven successful across Canada, including for P.E.I.'s Arts and Heritage Trail and Summerside's culture plan, MacKinnon said.
While the firm is based out of Toronto, it's currently employing a project assistant based out of Summerside.
Coun. John MacFarlane noted that some of Three Rivers' funding is comprised of leftover funds from last year's operating budget.
"(And) there is availability for some more of the funding to be there, so it shouldn't be too much of a bearing on this year's budget either," he said.