Council shelving arts awards for '09

The City of Hamilton Arts Awards are set to be suspended for 2009, with funds usually dedicated to the initiative going for a review instead.

Councillors gave the move the thumbs-up at a committee meeting Wednesday. The decision must still be approved by council.

City staff told councillors the arts community has not been responding to the awards the way they should, in terms of putting names forward for the honours.

Staff instead recommended spending the $15,000 normally spent on the awards for a consultant who could work with the city, the arts community and the Arts Advisory Commission.

Councillors approved spending up to $15,000 and putting any cash that was not spent back to the awards. The honours have been an annual staple since 1976.