HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-2017 Minutes City of Auburn �1rts Commission
Auburn Valley Creative Arts Gallery
Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Meeting Minutes
Present: Nancy Colson, Charlotte Gollnick, Jan Jensen, Kelley Kuhlman, Heather Longhurst, Dan
Norman, Donna Smart; City Council Member: Rieh Wagner; Staff: Arts& Events Manager: Julie Krueger;
Arts Coordinator: Allison Hyde;Arts Assistant: Mary Ellen Bowers; Excused: Cary Davidson, Pafricia
Judd, Trudi Moses, Amy Sie, Greg Watson; Guests: Ronie Schwend, Board President of Auburn Valley
Creative Arts, and Charron Marie Mollette, Member of Auburn Valley Creative Arts
I. Call to Order, Introductions:
Chair Gollnick called the meeting to order at 4:38 pm.After a brief welcome, Chair Gollnick asked for a
motion to approve the minutes from the March 7;2017 meeting. Commissioner Jensen moved to approve
the minutes of the March 2017 Arts Commission meeting; the motion was seconded by Commissioner
Smart. Chair Gollnick called the vote, and the motion passed unanimously.
II. Presentation on Auburn Valley Creative Arts
Afts Coordinator Al.lison Hyde thanked Ronie Schwend for hosting our meeting at the Auburn Valley
Creative Arts Gallery and introduced former Arts Comrnissioner Schwend to the group, Schwend gave a
brief presentation on the history and programming of the organization,which is an arts non-profit
organization that has been in existence for eight years and has over 40 members.The gallery location;
open Thu�sday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., has been open for eight months and is gaining
attendance and energy. The organization has hosted many events including: poetry book signings, a
fundraising fashion show, a Valentine's Day Tea as well as a number ofi excellent art classes and
workshops for the community. AVCA is hoping to host more evenfs and perhaps more opportuni#ies for
children. After Schwend's presentation, Charron Marie Mollette, a talented poet and new member of
AVCA, read one of her poems to the group.
III. White River Valley Museum Re-grant Request
Arts Coordinator Hyde presented a letter from fhe White River Valley Museum requesting a propos.ed shift
in the use of 2017 re-grant funding that was previously approved. Museum Direeto�Patricia Cosgrove,
described by email that after 10 years of hosting the Small Works exhibition, there has been a decline in
attendance and sales with the exhibition. The museum proposed to redirect the awarded re-grant funding
to support a new exhibition titled Salish Modern, a curated invitational show featUring modern Salish a�t.
In addition to fhe exhibition, the museum plans to offer a variety of programming including: a panel
discussion,a film showing, and severaf artiSt led workshops. Commissioner Longhurst remarked on the
importance of innovation and that changing things up is good for the energy of an arts and cultural
organization like the White River Valley Museum. Commissioner Colson agreecJ and noted the
importance of this exhibition and th.e way it will combine art, culture, and history. Commissioner Jensen
agreed on the proposed "new energ�' and that perhaps such an exhibition could involve a partnership
with the Muckleshoot tribe: Moved by Jensen,seconded by Longhurst to approve funds being redirected
as presented under the condition that the Arts Commission receive a more detailed budget outlining the
allocation of funds. Motion approved.
IV. Seattle Opera Re-grant
Arts Coordinator Hyde presented a request from the Seattle Opera regarding their 2017 previously
approved re-grant program, "Cinderella in Spain."After months of efforts from the Seattle Opera's
education program staff, only one performance was completed of the originally proposed 14
performances at Auburn elementary schools. Seattle Opera staff reached out to City of Auburn art staff
concerned about how best to accomplish or re-tool originally programming ideas. Hyde presenfed options
from the Seattle Opera to either: serve a limited number of remaining schools with assistance from the
Arts Commission to seek entry into the schools;or to host one larger performance at the Auburn Ave.
Theate�and invite Auburn elementary school students to attend. Commissioner Jensen remarked the
unfortunate circumstance of how the importance of arts programming is dropping in schools, and how the
Seattle Opera had not followed through adequately on their project. Discussion continued regarding
where the remaining funds would be used if not for this program and the possibility of reserving funds
throughout the year for smaller grants and/or having alternates selected in case a situation like this
I
happens in the future. After thoughtful discussion, the Arts Commission determined that by only executing
performances at only 1 out of 14 schools, the Seattle Opera had not completed the intent of their
originally approved grant application and the alternately proposed options were not adequate. Moved by
Colson, seconded by Gollnick to approve awarding the Seattle Opera $100 (slightly greater than 1/14�h of
the intended impact) instead of the original$1,000. Motion approved.
V. Updates and Upcoming Events
Hyde shared updates on current and upcoming news including:
• The call to artists for Auburn's Iconic Public Artwork that will be commissioned for the former Big
Daddy site at Les Gove Fark opens on April 6 through 4Culture
• Artist Trust will be hosting a grant-w.riting workshop in Au.burn on April 13. Arts Com.missi.oners
were encouraged to attend or spread the word to those who could benefit from the free workshop.
o The upcoming "Poets on the Ave," led by the Northwest Renaissance Poets and Auburn's Poet
Laureate Marjorie Rommel will be held at the Auburn Avenue Theater on April 28.
• There are two current calls to artists accepting applications: the 2017-18 Downtown Sculpture
Gallery and the summerArtRageous zoneteaching opportunities.
e Arts& Events Manager Julie Kru:eger announced the upcoming BRAVO Performing Arts will
present San Jose Taiko at the Auburn Performing Arts Center on April 8 and the AveKids Spring
Break Theater Camp will present James&the Giant Peach at the Auburn Ave. Theate�on April
21-23.
• Staff has been working to write grants for the Arts 8�Culture Center and recently interviewed with
4Gulture for the Arts Facilities grant. It was suggested that a list of possible grants could be
brought to the Arts Commission to see if anyone had possible connections to granting agencies.
• A short discussion took place regarding the former a.rt installation of Greg Bartol's Penguins near
Game Farm Pa.rk and the possibility of featuring another a..rtwork at that site in the future.
o Commissioner Jensen shared thoughts regarding the summer Hops and Crops festival, it was
recommended he share his thoughts with those who coordinate the events at the White River
Valley Museum.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:36 pm
Respectfully submitted,Allison Hyde
Approved the�day of�,��.
(Chair) (Staff)