Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with ARTWAY Inc., a non-profit entity, in support of the ongoing development of arts exchange with Cuba.
In 2022, Council sponsored the “Cartes desde Cuba - Letters from Ohio” program. Cartas desde Cuba - Letters from Ohio is a creative collaboration between individuals who share a passion for creating art, cultural dialogues, and supporting communities. From that engagement arose a number of exchange opportunities. Leaders of the Riera Studio, Samuel Riera Mandez and Derbis Campos Hernandez, visited Columbus from June 1 to June 9. During their visit, they conducted a series of lectures and workshops at various locations across the city, including CCAD, Goodwill Studio, Open Door Art Studio, and the Priscilla Tyson Cultural Arts Center. Additionally, an exhibit featuring their works will be showcased at the Lindsay Gallery through June 2024. Furthermore, local Cuban-American pianist Orlay Alanso will perform as part of the project's opening and closing ceremonies in Havana, showcasing a diverse range of artistic expressions.
As a proud participant in Cuba's Bienal de La Habana, ARTWAY Inc. will be showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary art from Columbus in this international show. Founded in 1984, this esteemed event held biennially in Havana, Cuba, provides a platform for artists from around the world to express their vision and perspectives. ARTWAY Inc. will prioritize promoting Columbus artists in the global art scene. Through their participation, ARTWAY Inc. aims to bridge cultures, provoke reflection, and foster dialogue on themes such as tradition, challenges, society, memory, and urban life. ARTWAY Inc. will achieve these goals through engaging both visual and performing artists from Columbus by collaborating with Cuban artists.
In March, ARTWAY Inc. returned to Cuba and met with key figures within the Cuban arts community. During these meetings, ARTWAY Inc. presented a proposal to feature 27 Ohio artists, which was received with enthusiasm. Funding from this grant will support travel expenses, stipends for participating artists, and production costs.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to provide ARTWAY Inc. with the resources necessary to plan and execute the international engagement without delay.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with ARTWAY Inc. in support of the ongoing development of arts exchange with Cuba; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in 2022, Council sponsored the “Cartes desde Cuba - Letters from Ohio” program, a creative collaboration between individuals who share a passion for creating art, cultural dialogues, and supporting communities; and
WHEREAS, ARTWAY Inc. will be showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary art from Columbus in the international Bienal de La Habana show; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of the city in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement with ARTWAY Inc. in order to provide the resources necessary to plan and execute the international engagement without delay; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with ARTWAY Inc. in support of the ongoing development of arts exchange with Cuba.
SECTION 2: That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $50,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3: That for the purpose authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as is necessary, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4: That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this legislation.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.