HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-07-2009
City of Auburn Arts Commission
Location: Auburn City Hall Room 3
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Meeting Minutes
Commissioners Present:
Nancy Colson, Cary Davidson, Linda Elliott, Amanda Flanery, Pat
Judd, Leslie Moore, Donna Smart
Commissioners Excused:
Pat Gallagher, Laurel Siegmund, Debby Deal, Tanya Rottle, Youth
Council Liaison Erika Shepherd
Staff Present:
Laurie Rose, Maija McKnight, Councilman Rich Wagner
Guests:
David Sader, Auburn Citizen
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Call to Order, Approval of Minutes, Introductions Approval of Minutes
Chair Nancy Colson called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm. Ms. Colson introduced guest
David Sader as a potential new Arts Commission member.
Ms. Colson called for approval of the February and March minutes. Commissioner Linda
Elliott moved the minutes be approved as submitted. Commissioner Pat Judd seconded
the motion. Motion approved.
II. Mural Project Update
Cultural Arts Manager Laurie Rose reported that the summer mural project developed by
the non-profit organization ArtWorks will not occur as previously noted. City staff
received an email from ArtWorks Executive Director, Terry Pottmeyer explaining that,
due to significant financial hardship, ArtWorks would not be able to honor project
commitments at this time. A general discussion followed regarding art in public places,
either developed by the City or privately funded.
III. Downtown Public Art Plan
Visual and Public Arts Coordinator Maija McKnight reported that Principal Planner
Elizabeth Chamberlain and the Downtown Redevelopment Committee provided the
Public Art Committee an update regarding their planning progress. The Public Art
Committee will develop a “Downtown Art Plan” that will be used as internal guidelines
that will reference broader goals for public art projects in Auburn, as well as part of the
Downtown Urban Center Design Standards. The Planning Dept staff will forward any
existing language to the Arts staff regarding public art they may have in their documents,
policies, etc. Ms. McKnight distributed a draft outline of sections and topics that could be
included within a Downtown Public Art Plan.
Councilmember Wagner asked if any further information was available on the Puyallup
Outdoor Sculpture Gallery. Ms. Rose confirmed that staff had met with the Chair and a
founding member of Puyallup Arts Downtown, who provided staff with information and
background on the logistics of Puyallup’s downtown sculpture program. Staff will be
writing a memo to distribute at the May Arts Commission meeting providing an overview
of the program. Discussion followed regarding the structure of Puyallup’s program and
whether a similar program is viable for Auburn’s downtown core. Staff reminded
commissioners that the program they see now in Puyallup was at least fifteen-years in
the making before it reached its current profile in its community and is managed by a
private non-profit agency. Puyallup leaders shared with staff that without a significant
“grass roots” initiative lead by citizens-at-large and business owners, and significant
numbers of volunteers, this type of public art program is not able to succeed as
intended.
IV. Budget Reductions: Issues and Options
Ms. Rose asked the commissioners to review Arts Commissions’ programming priorities
in consideration of the current financial situation. All programs will likely be affected in
some way, but there is not a mandate to eliminate any of the arts programs. Ms. Rose
encouraged commissioners to consider this a unique opportunity to explore other means
by which they can deliver this vital service to the community and offer recommendations
that will help the City in its effort to reduce costs. Ms. Rose will develop a proposal and
a timeline of the upcoming arts projects to share at the May meeting for commissioner’s
review.
V. Committee Reports
Visual Art Committee:
Ms. McKnight reported on behalf of Commissioner Laurel
th
Siegmund that the Visual Art Committee has been planning the logistics of the July 25,
ArtRageous Event. A Call-To- Artist prospectus was distributed and 20 applications
submitted. The Committee’s next meeting will be to evaluate these applications and
select the artists who will participate in the event.
Art Education Committee:
CommissionerDonna Smart reported that Governor
Christine Gregoire signed the official state proclamation declaring May to be Arts
th
Education Month in Washington State. Monday, April 27 at the Auburn School Board
Meeting a resolution will be adopted to recognize May as Art Education Month in Auburn
Schools to demonstrate that Auburn values the arts as part of a complete education for
th
all students. On Monday, May 4 at the City Council Meeting, Mayor Lewis will make a
proclamation recognizing May as Art Education Month in Auburn.
Commissioner Smart also noted that along with this recognition, the “Art with Artists”
class and workshop series will be announced. The series is once-a-month
classes/workshops in which we support local artists, as well as provide unique learning
opportunities to the public. The future goals is to have these classes directly relate to
artwork that is displayed in the city managed gallery display spaces.
Ms. McKnight noted that the Art Education Committee is working with the Green River
Community College Interurban Center for the Arts to develop lesson plans regarding the
City’s public art collection, which will be included in the instructional material in its Art
Docent Program.
VI. Other New Business
Leslie Moore inquired about the Artists Co-op meeting that occurred on March 10. Linda
Elliott attended the meeting and reported that it was a very preliminary meeting exploring
ideas and identifying potential opportunities in developing an artists’ co-operative for
display/sale of artworks and possibly studio space as well.
Commissioner Elliott also reported that she serves as the Auburn Arts Commission’s
Sister City representative and has been participating in a number of recent events
recognizing Auburn’s Sister City, Tamba, Japan. Representatives from Japan will be
visiting Auburn in 2010.
Ms. Rose reported that staff met with Auburn Reporter’s Shawn Skager, who has been
assigned to cover the arts “scene.” He expressed interest in writing a weekly article
focusing on the arts and invited article ideas and press releases to be sent directly to
him. So far, two performance previews and one profile of a local painter have been
published.
March Committee Meeting Date Reminders
Art Education Committee – Tuesday, April 14 at 10 am at Parks, Arts and Recreation
Visual Arts Committee – Wednesday, April 15 at 4 pm at Parks, Arts and Recreation
Public Art Committee – Thursday, April 23 at 5 pm at Parks, Arts and Recreation
Performing Arts Committee - TBD
Next Arts Commission Meeting – Tuesday, May 12 at 4:30 at Auburn City Hall, Room 3
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Rose