J.K. Tett Centre: Call For Tenants

Update: Arts organizations interested in becoming tenants at the City's J.K. Tett Centre for the Arts are being invited to meet 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Grand Theatre, 218 Princess St., for an information session regarding the call for submissions to the proposed Centre.

Below is the preamble to the Call For Tenants For The J.K. Tett Centre, which can be downloaded using the links at right.

The City of Kingston proposes to renovate the historic J.K. Tett Building at 370 King St West to re-vitalize and transform its function as a community arts facility adjacent to the proposed Queen's Performing Arts Centre. Organizations interested in being considered as participants in the JKTC are herby asked to identify:

• their space needs;
• the scope of their operation and programming;
• their potential contribution to the management, programming, and operation of the JKTC.

This call for submissions does not require a commitment at this time. Rather, submission are expressions of interest by parties interested in engaging in the planning and participating in the process of negotiating formal agreements that will result in a new arts cluster at the JKTC. It is intended that this process will be seen as an opportunity to participate in the creation of a unique community resource of built-to purpose arts spaces in the City of Kingston.

It is emphasized that in this call, the term "arts" refers to a broad range of visual, material, and performing arts, including, but not limited to, fine art, crafts, new media, film, music, dance, theatre, and literature.

The Arts Advisory Committee (AAC) aims to assess submissions, interview potential tenants, and recommend successful applicants to the ARCP Committee of City Council within a month of the deadline for submissions (6 March 2009). Moreover, an information session will be held February 26 in the Grand Theatre from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

It should be noted that, depending on the success of funding applications, the completion of the JKTC is currently estimated to be between two and three years. Through this period, in order to ensure the success of the JKTC revitalization, the City anticipates working in close cooperation with selected tenants who will be consulted with regard to their specific requirements.

It should also be noted that, while rental rates are still to be determined, current estimates range from $6.50 to $10 per square foot. The aim of the project is to provide spaces for arts groups that are within their available resources. Potential applicants should be aware that the creative participation of arts organizations in this project will enhance the capacity of JKTC and its participants to attract funding.

Finally, it has become clear to the AAC that the demand for space by community arts and cultural organizations exceeds the capacity of the JKTC. Given the recognition in the RFP for the City of Kingston's Culture Plan that, "Culture and cultural activity are instruments of community development considered integral to creating a sense of identity, place and overall well being enjoyed by citizens and visitors," the AAC is aware of the need for the development of other sites for the accommodation of community arts and cultural organizations.

GOALS OF THE JKTC

• The new JKTC is envisioned as an actively used, dynamic platform for arts learning, skills building, production and presentation, providing affordable space for specialized facilities for a range of non-profit, community-based arts organizations.
• This civic arts cluster will provide operational stability for arts groups within its mandate for innovation that encourages creative partnerships, resource sharing, and inter-disciplinary cross-fertilization.
• The programs and activities of the JKTC will reflect the rich cultural diversity of the Kingston community. They will enhance quality of life in this city by fostering wide participation in the arts, and by nurturing artistic excellence at all levels of experience.

PROPOSED CATEGORIES OF JKTC USERS

1. Program Provider: A program provider offers regular or temporary programming in the facility but does not operate full time from the facility.
2. Tenant: Eligible tenants are non-profit organizations who will become lease-holders or license-holders of space within the building. While incorporation will be a requirement for tenancy, unincorporated groups may apply if they indicate their willingness to become incorporated.
3. Facility Operator: The Facility Operator will manage the building and work with users to realize the Goals of the JKTC. Eligible applicants are to be non-profit organizations with the capacity to operate a facility of the size and purpose of the JKTC. The Facility Operator may or may not utilize space in the building for its own operations/programming. The Facility Operator will take responsibility for raising capital and/or operating funding to develop the building and its programming, either solely or in partnership. In the event that applicants in this category are not successful, they may indicate their wish to be also considered as a potential Tenant or Program Provider.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

1. Vision: Is the proposal rooted in a strong organizational vision?
2. Capacity: Does the application demonstrate the necessary level of leadership, effective project management, fundraising capacity, and adherence to best practices to deliver the proposal?
3. Sustainability: Is the organization's sustainability and financial stability supported by appropriately reviewed financial statements? Attention will also be paid to how the organization responds to the social and cultural diversity of the community through its operations, programs, and approaches to community development/outreach. Where appropriate, applications will refer to how they contribute to the City's program of environmental sustainability.
4. Impact: To what extent will the applicant and proposed activities:
• Nurture the arts among a wide range of Kingston residents through learning, skills development, production, and presentation?
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and new partnerships through innovative approaches to co-operation and engagement?
• Develop leading-edge artistic endeavours and forms of participation?
• Contribute to community vitality and social inclusivity by cultivating diverse membership and public participation?
• Contribute to the distinctive character of the JKTC?

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