HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-2012City of Auburn Arts Commission, City Hall Annex, One Main, Conference Room 1
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Present: Greg Watson, Patricia Judd, Nickole Evans, Colleen Maloney, Heidi Harris, Ronie
Schwend, Dan Norman, Leslie Moore, Arts Coordinator Maija McKnight, Arts and Events
Manager Julie Brewer, Council Liaison Rich Wagner Excused: Debby Deal, DeNae McGee,
Cary Davidson Guests: Matthew Richter, Storefronts Manager, Mary Ellen Bowers
I. Call to Order, Approval of Minutes, Introductions and Approval of Minutes:
Chair Greg Watson called the meeting to order at 4:32 pm. Ronie Schwend moved to
approve the February 2012 meeting minutes and Heidi Harris seconded the motion. All
approved. Motion approved.
Maija McKnight introduced Matthew Richter, Manager of the Storefronts Auburn.
II. Storefronts Auburn
Matthew provided an overview of Storefronts Auburn. In 2012 City of Auburn is launched
"Storefronts Auburn" which places artists and artwork into vacant storefronts throughout the
downtown core. With the cooperation of property owners, community groups, and
businesses, Storefronts hopes to introduce a new way of thinking about art space, about
retail space, and about neighborhood.
Initiated as a partnership between the City of Auburn and a non - profit arts organization
Shunpike, Storefronts is dedicated to providing exposure to regional artists, while working to
revitalize Auburn's historic downtown. Arts and Creative Enterprise are used to help protect
neighborhoods from high vacancy rates, reduced street traffic, and a disengaged
streetscape. In addition a variety of art walks, open houses and events will be offered
throughout the year.
There are three artist participation tracks including installation, residency and creative
enterprise. Matthew Richter presented the roster of artists that were selected from
applications submitted.
Maija McKnight noted that in 2011, the Commission voted to direct $10,000 of funding from
the 4Culture Sustained Support towards the financing of this program for the 2012 calendar
year. Additionally, this is a partnership with the Planning division that has been working
closely with Matthew to contact building owners for their participation.
Commissioner Watson inquired if there was a potential to use Storefronts and additional
efforts to market Auburn as an idea artist live /work location. Matthew Richter, noted that
introducing artists to Auburn was a first step, and Shunpike is taking on this issue of artist
relocation as neighborhoods change programmatically.
Commissioner Norman inquired to the timing of rental for occupied spaces; if a Storefronts
artists /artist group would be invited into a space if there was pre- existing knowledge that it
would be rented. Matthew Richer noted, that it is part of the `catch' when agreeing to
participate in storefronts that if the space is rented, the artist must vacate in 30 days time
and no artist would be placed in a location that it is known to already be rented.
Mary Ellen Bowers, as a guest and board member of the Auburn Valley Creative Arts
(AVCA) shared that AVCA was given the 30 day notice to vacate upon the taking
occupancy of 113 W Main Street through the Storefronts program. She noted that even
having a month (out of the expected three) was a great experience which provided high
visibility for their group.
Commissioner Rottle inquired to the publicity and how the program and various events were
being shared. Maija McKnight explained that storefronts program creates and distributes a
postcard and that any City generated publicity will include dates of event that we know of in
the same timeline with our publicity schedule. Matthew Richter noted that all information is
posted on the website /blog: www.storefrontsauburn.com and manages a "Storefronts
Auburn" Facebook page.
III. Updates /Announcements /Upcoming Events
o Circulated out a thank you card from the Auburn School District for their participation
in the recent student art exhibition at City Hall Gallery
o Distributed a letter and information flyer on the Institute for Community Leadership
o Announced a evening music event to take place on Friday, April 13th at Zola's Cafe
that we will be partnering to promote as a "Jazz Day" event
o Next meeting the agenda will include an overview of 20112 -13 BRAVO Performing
Arts Season and a discussion on Public Art
o An additional $30,000 was added to the general fund budget to go towards the
creation of Public Art in Auburn. This is in addition to the Percent for Art Resolution
for new capital construction.
o Storefront open house and celebration will take place on Tuesday, March 13, 5 -8
pm at 113 Main Street
o Staff Maija McKnight also noted that the April meeting would be rescheduled from
April 3 d to April 10th in order to accommodate staff and commissioner absences due
to Spring Break.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Maija McKnight
Next Arts Commission Meeting RESCHEDULED
Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 4:30 — 6 pm
Annex Conference Room 2