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Artscene Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF · FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010 25 Arts groups find common ground, third entity likely Fences appear to have mended between two vying arts groups. The Oakville Arts Council and CommUnity Arts Space, one of its members, had been at odds over who would represent arts groups when meeting with the Town of Oakville about Queen Elizabeth Park (QEP). A meeting held Friday between the groups under the watchful eye of Mayor Rob Burton appears to have resulted in a happy medium, with the outcome that a third group consisting of members from both organizations will likely be formed to sit at the table at QEP meetings with the Town. "The Mayor wants to work with us on going forward... we're going to have some sort of organization or advisory or oversight entity that represents the community, both arts community and community-at-large, to make sure that what is happening at QE Park delivers on its promise," Erich Almasy, Oakville Arts Council president told The "This is much in the mayor's interest in us having what he likes to call a big arts tent, Oakville Beaver. Last Friday's two-hour meeting was held so we wanted to be sure we can find differat Town Hall, with a large number of players ent ways to work together and there is a lot coming together, including Mayor Burton; that needs to be done. What we are essenRoger Lapworth, Ward 4 Town Councillor; tially trying to do is find ways to co-operate on all different levels." Paul Visser, chief of staff One aspect of the rejuand senior policy advisor, "What we are essentially venated co-operative spirTown of Oakville; Erich trying to do is find ways to it is swapping board Almasy, Oakville Arts co-operate on all different members, with one memCouncil president; ber from each organizaVictoria Behune, Oakville levels." tion sitting on the other's Arts Council vice-presiboard. dent; Megan Whittington, Erich Almasy Oakville Arts Council president The two groups will Oakville Arts Council also work together on a executive director; Bill communication strategy, Smith, CommUnity Arts Space board chair; Jean Gandubert, so that messaging will be consistent on outCommUnity Arts Space board member and going e-mail flyers and newsletters released Britta Martini-Miles, CommUnity Arts by both groups. "Megan (Whittington) and Britta Space executive director. Co-operation was the afternoon's key (Martini-Miles) are now going over things to make sure that our communications are message, Almasy said. "It was extremely constructive," he said. as accurate and complete as they can be," Almasy said. "We're going to find a more common approach, so even if we do have our separate instruments, we will have a consistency of information and message." Almasy said the ball is already rolling on future meetings. "We're moving forward on several meetings this month and the mayor is going to be hosting another meeting, in which more details about QE Park will be made available," he said. "This month I think we'll have a pretty good idea of what is available, what are the gaps, what are the key issues ahead of us and what the challenges are." Mayor Burton told the Beaver that details about the aforementioned meeting have yet to be determined, although it will likely take place at the end of January. CommUnity Arts Space issued a statement to the Beaver on Wednesday about last Friday's meeting and subsequent outcome. See Groups page 26