Bridging the Social Distance
Bridging the Social Distance
Ep 251 - Michelle Peek, Art Not Shame
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Ep 251 - Michelle Peek, Art Not Shame

For this episode I interviewed Michelle Peek of "Art Not Shame". Art Not Shame is a local Guelph Non-profit that uses the arts to build community, deepen our access to creativity, increase well-being, and create the conditions for inner and outer systems change. They have a beautiful new expanded location on Wyndham street and offer tons of incredible programs and services. Art Not Shame is one of the many organizations dramatically impacted by the City of Guelph's recent budget deferrals within the Community Investment stream - a funding source that deeply impacts our cultural and wellbeing sectors. On Nov 19th a City Council Meeting happened at City Hall (1 Carden Street) and Art Not Shame was among more than 30 delegates speaking out against deferrals and cuts. While this meeting has passed, you can continue to pressure your councillors by advocating for the importance of these organizations and institutions.

More about Art Not Shame:

"Art Not Shame is a community-engaged, multidisciplinary arts organization serving youth and adults in Guelph and across Ontario. Founded in 2017, we strive toward a world where belonging is unconditional and creative practice is accessible, and both are recognized as fundamental to well-being, community-building, and possibilities for a just future.

Our work bears witness to the power of community-making through the arts, and art-making through community, to not only envision but to enact the more just futures to which we are striving. With a focus on speaking back to systemic forces that perpetuate cycles of shame and the undermining of self-worth (including racism, white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism, and other intersecting forms of oppression), we seek to shape community by intentionally building supportive and transformative social spaces. We are committed to: Equity-seeking spaces and practices; honouring complex histories and relationships to trauma, loss, privilege, and oppression; the necessity of creative, supportive communities to our individual and collective well-being; offering welcome, without the need for apology, fixing, or saving."

Recently a letter from Art Not Shame and supporters was drafted and circulated to City Council and staff members, and I've included it below.

"I am writing to urge you to reconsider recent budget deferrals within the Community Investment stream that deeply impact our cultural and wellbeing sectors. Organizations like Art Not Shame, which are woven into the fabric of Guelph’s community life, rely on these funds to continue their valuable work in enhancing the well-being and cultural vitality of our city. By investing in programs that advance both wellbeing and culture, the City can make an immediate, positive impact on residents’ quality of life, today and into the future.

The City’s Culture Plan 2030 was developed to foster cultural initiatives that would bring our community together, support diversity, and make Guelph a place of inspiration and connection. However, the budget deferral now pushes all related capital funding out to 2037, risking the Culture Plan’s transformation into a vision without substance. Without investment, we risk losing valuable opportunities to support organizations like Art Not Shame, which embody the goals set out in the Culture Plan by providing accessible and inclusive arts and wellness programs.

Art Not Shame stands at the intersection of wellbeing and culture. Their work offers mental health support through artistic expression, giving residents a space to connect, heal, and celebrate creativity together. This aligns closely with the City’s vision of using culture as a catalyst for social connection and inclusion. Through workshops, community events, and creative programming, Art Not Shame has helped residents of all ages and abilities find community and empowerment through art. They offer meaningful, inclusive cultural activities that benefit Guelph's most vulnerable populations.

Furthermore, initiatives like Art Not Shame are essential to the City’s wellbeing goals. By fostering a sense of belonging, they directly impact community mental health and resilience. At a time when the non-profit sector is being asked to take on more—from hosting city events to addressing food and housing insecurity—long-term partnerships, such as those enabled by Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs), are crucial. With a robust CBA program, the City can form sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships with non-profits, allowing them to bring in additional funding, strengthen local initiatives, and create a more resilient community infrastructure. As an example, the Guelph Farmers' Market CBA has already proven successful, bringing in over a million dollars in capital funding that doubled the City’s investment.

Investing in organizations that support both wellbeing and culture is not an extra; it is foundational to creating a city where all residents thrive. Please help preserve Guelph’s wellbeing and cultural vibrancy by reinstating critical funding and supporting the Community Benefit Agreement structure, so organizations like Art Not Shame can continue serving our city."

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter."

The details of the council meeting can be found here: https://pub-guelph.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...

This interview originally occurred live on November 18th, 2024

Bridging the Social Distance
Bridging the Social Distance
A show that aims to give a platform for sharing ideas, perspectives and feelings in the wake of the Global COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews will feature local Guelphites as well as people living elsewhere around the world.