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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-08-1999,( Auburn Arts Commission Monday, Nov. 8, 1999 MINUTES Commissioners present: Herman Arising, Paul Dodsworth, Bonnie Egbert, Don Gardner, Cheryl Hosking, Lynn Norman, Barbie Sharrard, Para Smith, John Stanphill Commissioners absent: Bobby Medina, Steve LePenske and Gertie Sprenger (all excused) Staff present: Susan Saga~va, cultural programs manager, Lori Corso, cultural programs specialist Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. I. Introductions and approval of minutes Chair Norman asked that the October minutes be approved as mailed. Paul Dodsworth moved that the minutes be approved. Bonnie Egbert seconded the motion. ~ MOTION APPROVED II. Update on BRAVO! A. Sales and marketing for the Auburn Symphony Attendance at the Auburn Symphony Orchestra performance, Saturday, Oct. 23, was 500, and 304 people attended the Sunday, Oct. 24, concert for a total of 804. The $5 balcony tickets were popular. Staff sold a total of 167 balcony tickets to both shows. Balcony sales included a group of students and faculty from West Auburn High. The symphony presented a music education program at the school the previous week. Chair Norman asked commissioners to think about how the arts commission can inspire local arts organizations to sell more tickets to their BRAVO!-presented events. Loft Corso passed around a packet of press clippings related to the Auburn Symphony performance. The clippings included favorable reviews by the Tacoma News Tribune and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. She announced KING 98.1 FM is a media sponsor for the BRAVO! series. The sponsorship is valued at $17,000 and includes on-air ticket giveaways, 30-second public service announcements and listings on the stations Web page. An ad featuring several BRAVO! events will appear in the Eastside Encore program (November through January). Staff is working on a flyer announcing the BRAVO! Kids series to distribute in the schools and at service clubs. Staff also plans to market BRAVO! gift certificates for the holidays through ads in the South County Journal and flyers. Chair Norman said she will i:nake an announcement at the chamber luncheon, Monday, Nov. 15. Ms. Corso will distribute BRAVO! information, promote a 20-percent discount to members (more) November Arts Commission minutes Page 2 ' of the Employee Activity Association and market holiday gift certificates at the City of Auburn's employee benefits fair, Monday, Nov. 15. Staff also sends out e-mails to city employees announcing upcoming BRAVO! events. Ms. Sagawa will share a table with Puget Sound Musical Theatre (PSMT) to promote "A Christmas Carol" and BRAVO! holiday gift certificates at the Auburn SuperMall's "Magical Night of Giving," Sunday, Nov. 21, 7 to 10 p.m. Commissioners discussed advertising in a Tacoma Encore program and expanding coverage to include the Puyallup, Sumner, Lakeland Hills and Bonney Lake areas. A brief discussion about billboards and billboard advertising throu~ the school district ensued. Commissioners agreed billboards are cost prohibitive. Ms. Saga~va said Dick Deal, parks director, has suggested banners across Main Street announcing BRAVO! events as a possibility for next season. Chair Norman suggested strengthening ties with Auburn Regional Medical Center and pursuing listings in the hospital's in-house newsletter. Pat Bailey may be the best initial hospital contact. The commission also discussed placing an ad in the Miss Auburn Pageant program. The January event sells out the Performing Arts Center. Commissioner Pam Smith will get John Lynch's (a pageant contact) phone number to staff. Due to poor visibility, PSMT will place a sandwich sign at both sides of the street leading up to Auburn Riverside Theatre on performance nights. Chair Norman reported Concession sales for the Auburn Symphony Guild were $325 at the symphony performances. III. Follow-up session on retreat Ae Discussion of panel recommendations "How to sell more BRAVO! tickets" · Commissioner Herman Ansingh discussed the need for an arts commission Web site. The city's Web site is outdated. Ms. Sagawa will follow-up with Dick Deal, parks director, on the protocol for developing a commission Web site. She said BRAVO! presenters, such as Bronn Journey, Encore Playhouse and PSMT, have asked to link to the commission's Web site. Commissioner Don Gardner will research start-up costs (approx. $300 to $400) and a domain name. Commissioner pam Smith Will talk with the school district Web designer, who is developing 'sites for PAC and Auburn Riverside Theatre. She will also get Web addresses for the Kirkland and Highline performing arts centers. Commissioner John Stanphill will research the possibility of working with Boeing loaned executives on Web design and ongoing support. · Commissioners discussed utility bill stuffers, however the city no longer includes stuffers in bills, just a line or two printed on the statement. Calico Cat, a local business, publishes a newsletter and has an extensive mailing list. Commissioners discussed getting information out with Calico Cat's assistance. (more) November Arts Commission minutes Page 3 Commissioners talked about repeating BRAVO! information in an upcoming on-line employee newsletter and the Boeing News, a regional publication. Commissioner Stanphill will follow-up at Boeing. IV. Other Business Be Performance surveys The commission will develop surveys for each performance. At the end of the season, staff will send a comprehensive season survey to subscribers and single ticket buyers. Those who return their surveys could receive a discount on a 2000-2001 season subscription. Symphony surveys were positive, many mentioned a desire for more classical music programming. Uniquely Auburn Uniquely Auburn will present "Faces of Auburn," Sunday, Dec. 5. The event will showcase eight volunteers that have given to the Auburn community. At its Nov. 22 meeting, Uniquely Auburn will select the volunteers it will recognize. Commissioners discussed nominating a few BRAVO! volunteers and the founding members of the arts commission. Commissioner Barbie Sharrard brought a nomination form. How to encourage outside arts organizations to sell more BRAVO! tickets Commissioners discussed various methods and incentives. PSMT gives a complimentary ticket for every 15 tickets sold. At Seattle Opera, board members pay for the tickets they don't sell. Ms. Sagawa will attend a special Auburn Symphony board meeting tomorrow, Nov. 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mayor's office. The agenda includes a discussion of how the symphony can better market itself, develop and generate revenue. Ms. Sagawa said revenue from the October symphony concerts totaled $7, 500, half of the $15,000 fee. Local Arts Agency Meeting The next meeting of the King County Local Arts Agency Coordinators is Thursday, Nov. 18, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Chinese Room atop the Smith Tower in downtown Seattle. The agenda includes a roundtable discussion of media coverage of LAA activities. Panelists are Doug Kim, arts editor of the Seattle Times, and Sue Kidd, arts writer for the Eastside Journal and South County Journal. Skate Park dedication Commissioner Steve LePenske took photos at the dedication, Friday, Oct. 29. The artists over-secured the bolts while installing the piece. Some of the bearings crimped so the planes don't move in the wind, Ms. Sagawa reported. The artists plan to loosen the bolts and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the wind sculpture moves as intended/ (more) NOvember Arts Commission Page 4 " Studio tour at Nancy Mee and Dennis Evans' Commissioners agreed the studio visit on Nov. 1 was fabulous. The artists' 60-foot long, mixed-media piece will be installed at the new Auburn Regional Library in March. Ms. Sagawa will follow-up with a videographer who filmed the artists while they worked on an installation at the Port Angeles library. The documentary film could be shown as a film loop in the Auburn library. Commissioners agreed capturing the artistic process would be an important educational tool. Planning meeting for City Council presentation, Dec. 6 Commissioners will meet at 1:30 p,m., Wednesday, Dec. 1, to discuss the BRAVO! presentation to City Council members. He 1-695 Ms. Sagawa said in the wake of the passage ofi-695, city officials have met to discUss budget options.~ The King County Office of Cultural Resources will absorb a $42,000 internal budget, however, granting funds fi:om the county won't be affected. A brief discussion followed on the potential affects ofi-695 on the Sound Transit station art, plans for a pedestrian overpass and a parking garage. There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. The next regular meeting is Monday, Dec. 13, 4:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1.