At this week’s General Committee meeting, Council had a delegation from Arts Help. This organization was co founded by an Auroran – Mo Ghoneim. Quoting from the presentation, “As a non profit organization, Arts Help was founded on the principle of art making the world a better place and is the #1 art publisher, with a community of 2.5 million members.”
Arts Help came to Council with a proposal to create the public art for library sq. Just by way of information, all projects in the Town of Aurora have funds built into the overall project budget for public art. So to be clear, this public art proposal would not be adding or spending any additional funds; it is a project that is looking at how to use to use existing, approved budgeted funds.
Library Square is a truly transformational community building project; a project that will develop a gathering space, a focal point of our community and is foundational to the evolution of the revitalization of the downtown core.
The presentation by Arts Help was riveting! It is looking to provide a digital interactive art platform within the Square that would engage our residents and visitors while educating and displaying art.
As I said at the table, this proposal aligns with the UN 17 sustainable development goals, that include, “… recognizing ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.” Alignment with these goals will bring global recognition for Aurora and Library Square.
Arts Help is a well-known international organization, with ties to Aurora. What better way to showcase Aurora than through an extraordinary, home grown arts initiative! I believe this arts project is something that will bring our town to the next level.
I am looking forward to the final review – and hopefully approval – of this public art proposal at a future Council meeting. And more important, how this innovative, arts initiative will enhance the development of Library Square and the transformation of our downtown that will be the envy of municipalities across Ontario.
