HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-1999AUburn Arts Commission
Monday, October 11, 1999
MINUTES
Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Paul D°dsworth, Bonnie Egbert, Don Gardner,
Cheryl Hosking, Lynn Normanl Pam Smith, Gertie Sprenger, John Stanphill
Commissioners absent: Bobby Medina (excused), Steve LePenske, Barbie Sharrard (excused)
Staff present: Susan Sagawa, culutral programs manager, Lori Corso, cultural programs
specialist
Guests: Michael Killoren, executive director of King County Arts Commission
Chair Lyrm Norman called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m.
I. Introductions and approval of minutes
Commissioners agreed to defer the approval of the August minutes to the November meeting.
II. Presentation by King County Arts Commission
Michael Killoren, executive director of the King County Arts Commission, provided an
overview of the county arts commission's programs and goals. The commission is in the process
of forming strategic planning task forces and will invite Auburn arts commissioners to
participate.
· HotelfMotel tax revenue The tax will sunset in 2012. In preparation, the Office of
Cultural Resources will underspend for the next thiee years and build the endownment to fill
in the gaps in funding.
· Cultural Facilities Program--is designed to fund equipment purchases and capital projects.
The deadline for applications is Dec. 13. To date, the Office of Cultural Resources has
invested about $28 million.
· Sustained Support Program--provides area arts organizations, such as the Auburn Arts
Commission, with modest levels of annual funding. ($6,000 in 1999). Local Arts Agencies
(LAA's) have discussed increasing levels of sustained support funding with King County
Council representatives. Killoren said 35 new arts organizations may be eligible for funding
and pointed out that over a two-year period, county arts Organizations have seen a 40 percent
growth in their budgets fi:om $90 million to $127 million. Audiences are up 28 percent.
There is also talk of creating a separate fund for LAAs, which includes city arts commissions.
Susan Sagawa said creating a separate budget for LAAs could isolate the funding source,
leaving it vulnerable to future budget cuts. The county is also exploring a matching fund
program, which could act as a leveraging device to attract more dollars. Susan Sagawa said
matching funds are more suited for non-profit arts organizations, not local arts agencies
· Education Program--matches artists and arts organizations with schools and school
districts and focuses on the arts as an integral part of the curriculum. The county plans to
expand the program to include after-school activities.
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Arts Commission minutes, 10/11/99
· Special Projects Program--includes funding for organizations such as the Auburn
Symphony, which will present its own concert in May, and the King County Performance
Network, which presents performances at suburban venues in partnership with local arts
agencies.
Cultural Tourism--the commission is exploring the idea of creating a "kitchen concierges"
publication to promote the arts in King County. Killoren said 53 percent of visitors to the
area stay with friends and family.
· Vacancies are coming up on the King County Arts Commission
· Regional arts symposia slated for spring--will feature a technology track and bring artists,
arts organizations and leaders in the technology field together.
· Effects of 1-695---If the initiative passes, the most serious impact on the county will be in the
area of transportation. Metro is looking at a $100 million cut. The Office of Cultural
Resources has not yet had to work out an 1-695 budget. Ifi-695 passes, Susan Sagawa said
she had been informed the city would roll back to 1998 levels of funding.
· The King County Arts Commission meets--the third Tuesday of every month at 2:15 p.m.
Staff will coordinate a visit to a King County Arts Commission meeting.
· Lochl Arts Agency meeting--is Thursday, Nov. 18, 9:30 a.m., in the Chinese Room at the
Smith Tower. King County Arts Commission will host. Michael Killoren will forward
agenda.
III.
Commissioner's Report---questions and comments on the annual
retreat
· Mission statement--Commissioners reviewed the statement and agreed that its goals should
be reworked to better reflect the goals identified at the September retreat. Commissioners
Don Gardner, Cheryl Hosking and Steve LePenske will meet to clarify the goals in the
mission statement and bring a recommendation back to the commission for consideration.
· Commissioner liked the Open Space format of the retreat but would prefer more time to
discuss goals and ideas discussed at each of the breakout sessions. The commission will start
with a discussion on how to increase BRAVO! ticket sales at the November meeting and
discuss signage at the December meeting. The commission will schedule discussions of the
remaining retreat breakout sessions at a future meeting.
· Commissioners discussed the need to nurture relationships with the news media and the
need for a Web site.
IV. Artists selected for City Hall Gallery Exhibition Program in 2000
Cheryl Hosking reported on the selection process for the 2000 gallery exhibitions, and the
commission viewed slides of the selected artists' work. The jurying panel met, Sept. 30.
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Arts Commission minutes, 10/11/99
The panel included commissioners Hosking, Pam Smith, Lynn Norman and former
Commissioner Ron Carson. The call for artists brought in 28 submissions, 26 artists and two
organizations (the most submissions ever). The panel selected the following artists and arts
organizations:
· Vivian Linder, mixed media on wood, and Anita West, oils and watercolor (combined
exhibition)
· Cathy Fields oils, pastels and acyrilcs.
· Polly Purvis--gelatin silver prints
· Kathleen Fruge-Brown oils
· Catharine Newell--glass and steel
· "The Faces of Aubum"--photography installation by Uniquely Auburn, Aug. 12 to Sept. 29,
in conjunction with the Good O1' Days festival in mid-August.
· "Reflections"---Auburn School District children's art show. The reception.is set for Friday,
Jan. 14, 5 to 9 p.m., at City Hall. The exhibit will mn Jan. 10 to 28.
V. Staff Reports
A.
BRAVO! Season Update---Susan Sagawa reported the season kicked off Saturday,
Oct. 9, with Seattle Opera Young Singers in Recital. She heard from many people that it
was a "thrilling" concert. 233 people attended, and the commission more than covered
the Opera's fee. Ms. Sagawa said the turnout was what staffprojected. The young
singers said it was the largest and most responsive audience they have performed to this
fall.
Ms. Sagawa reported on BRAVO! ticket sales to date: 112 Bonanza sub'scriptions, nine
1 O-pack vouchers, and 1,232 single-ticket sales.
Commissioner Ansingh suggested that the commission insert surveys in the BRAVO!
programs asking audience members what they would like to see. Commissioners discussed
surveying all subscribers at the end of the season.
Chair Norman suggested commissioners attend an upcoming City Council meeting to discuss
BRAVO!, highlighting the commission's measures of success and feedback from audience
members and performers.
Lori Corso said media coverage of the BRAVO! series has been good. News of the
BRAVO! seasOn has appeared in the Tacoma News Tribune; The South County Journal; on
KING FM; and "Northwest Afternoon," KOMO-TV. Commissioner John stanphill arranged
to post the BRAVO! Season on the Boeing employee web site, which reaches more than
12,000 employees.
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Arts Commission minutes--10/11/99
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Update on commission visit to Nancy Mee and Dennis Evans' studio---
Commissioners will meet at City Hall at noon, Monday, Nov. 1, to board city vans and
head to Seattle for the studio visit. The regular November commission meeting will
follow at city hall.
VI. Other business
Skate park--The contractor on the project is behind schedule. The dedication will
happen Friday, Oct. 22, or Friday, Oct. 29. Ms. Sagawa expects a confirmation of the
dedication date by Wednesday. The artists have completed the sculpture and are ready to
install it at the skate park.
Be
Ce
Evergreen City Ballet Auction--Ms. Sagawa distributed invitations to "A Turning
Point," Evergreen City Ballet's second annual dinner auction, Saturday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m. at
Emerald Downs. The commission donated two BRAVO! subscriptions and ran a half-
page ad announcing the BRAVO! season in support of the auction program.
Artist gallery space available at Boeing--Commissioner John Stanphill said there is
ample lobby and hall space at the Auburn Boeing facility that could also serve as gallery
space to showcase the work of local artists. Stanphill is also working to give away
BRAVO! tickets to reward Boeing employees who meet goals.
There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. The next regular meeting is
Monday, Nov. 1, in conference room 1, 4:30 p.m., following the studio visit to Seattle.