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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-11-2001Auburn Arts Commission Monday, June 11, 2001 MINUTES Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Anne Baunach, Kristen Brock, Paul Dodsworth, Bonnie Egbert, Don Gardner, Steve LePenske, Lynn Norman, Barbie' Sharrard, Para Smith, Gertie Sprenger, John Stanphill Staff present: Susan Sagawa, cultural programs manager; Lori Patrick, cultural programs specialist Chair Steve LePenske called the meeting to order at 4:37 p.m. I. Approval of minutes Commissioner Herman Ansingh moved that the May minutes be approved as mailed. Commissioner Gertie Sprenger seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED II. Community Arts Support Grant recommendations Commissioner Anne Bannach reported on the grant panel's recommendations for funding to local arts organizations. The panel met May 15, with $12,000 to award through King County's Sustained Support Program. Five agencies requested a total of $22,300. The panel agreed to re-grant $11,500 to the organizations, reserving $500 to fund tickets to BRAVO! performances for students and community groups. The commission discussed the White River Valley Museum's request and agreed with the panel's recommendations not to fired the museum because its request was outside the intent of the program. The museum's request to fund the installation of track lighting in the new gallery space is a capital improvement. The grant application specifically states that funds may not be used for capital improvements or equipment. The commission reviewed the panel's recommendations: (more) Arts Commission June 2001 minutes Page 2 ORGANIZATION Evergreen City Ballet Auburn Symphony Association AMOUNT REQUESTED $5,000 $4,000 AMOUNT AWARDED $3,000 $3,000 White River Valley $2,800 $0 Museum It Plays in Peoria $4,500 $2,500 Productions/SPLAB Puget Sound Musical $6,000 $3,000 Theatre Total $22,300 $11,500 Commissioner Paul Dodsworth moved to accept the panel's funding recommendations. Commissioner Barbie Sharrard seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED Sagawa will formerly notify all applicants of their funding levels by letter. III. Public art projects status and dedication at Les Gove Park A. Les Gove Park Sagawa reported on three projects coming to fruition at Les Gove Park. The pieces will be dedicated at a ceremony on the summer solstice, Thursday, June 21, with a 5 p.m. invitation-only picnic followed by a 6 p.m. dedication ceremony open to the public. Chair Steve LePenske will represent the commission and introduce the artists. Students at Terminal Park Elementary who participated in the workshop last fall to design the banners received invitations to the picnic and ceremony, "Threshold," a bronze and steel sculpture by Phillip Levine, was installed last month. The Millenium Sundial by Ries Niemi is complete but construction on the new Senior Center has delayed installation. The kids' and directional banners were complete last December and have been in storage at High Flying Banners. B. Sound Transit Station Sagawa reported construction on the plaza will begin Nov. 30, with completion scheduled for April 2002. Bruce West has begun work on the plaza piece, a stainless-steel sculpture of three pear and two strawberry half sections. The parking garage is scheduled for (more) Arts Commission June 2001 minutes Page 3 completion Friday, Nov. 30, with an opening ceremony that day. The garage artwork may not be finished because Sound Transit's contract to the artist was delayed. Seattle artist team Jean Whitesavage and Nick Lyle are working with Integrus, the garage's architects, on a piece to attach to the building when it is complete. The artists will make a presentation of their design concepts at the Aug. 13 commission meeting. In the fall, the commission plans to interview artists to design an entryway piece at the transit station. In addition to considering the 10 artists on its original public art roster, the commission will issue a second call for artist, select three finalists and pay them a stipend to submit proposals. The piece is scheduled for completion in late summer 2002. IV. Followup on Arts Roundtable and King County Budget cuts Newly appointed King County Council Member Les Thomas met with representatives from local arts organizations at the annual South King County Cultural Arts Roundtable, May 23 at Evergreen City Ballet. Local groups talked about their programs, missions and goals. Linda Cowan, superintendent of the Auburn School District, and representatives from the King County Arts Commission and Office of Cultural Resources also attended. Commissioner Lynn Norman said Councilman Thomas left the meeting with a clearer picture of the arts in this area. Jim Kelly, executive director of the King County Office of Cultural Resources, provide an overview of the county's proposed budget reductions at the Roundtable. Sagawa handed out a brief overview of the proposed reductions to commissioners. The county is bracing for a $36 million budget shortfall in 2002. King County arts staff are working hard to lessen the impact of a projected $1.6 million cut to arts and heritage programs. Commission Lynn Norman, who also serves on the King County Arts Commission, gave a brief overview of one idea the county arts commission is considering in response to dwindling funding sources. The county arts commission could dissolve and reform as a not-for-profit public authority district. The Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) in Portland is a successful model of such an organization. Sagawa handed out information on RACC. As a public authority district the arts commission would remain under contract to the county to operate hotel-motel funds but would be able to go after private contracts that would generate revenue. Norman said the arts commission has the support of the county executive's office, but still must complete more research and go before the council for approval of a public authority district. Arts Commission June 2001 minutes Page 4 V. Cultural Arts Education Program and Seattle Opera Residency Sagawa reported the core focus of the $5,000 Cultural Arts Education Grant the arts commission received, in conjunction with Gildo Rey Elementary, from King County Arts Commission will be working with artists in the BRAVO! Series. Two residencies will be with American Indian Dance Theater in November and Seattle Opera in October. American Indian Dance Theater---Commissioner John Stanphill will explore funding from Boeing for the 50-minute production and workshop for all third graders in the district. Sagawa and Commissioner Kristen Brock met with school district staff today to discuss curricula. Seattle Opera--received a $125,000 grant from the Lila Wallace Foundation to target young audiences and put on 10 to 12 children's performances a year. Seattle Opera's Young Singer's will come to Gildo Rey Elementary for one week in October and launch a student production of"The Magic Flute." The opera's residency is a pilot project with a nominal fee to participate. The Auburn School District was pre-selected to participate in the program with Commissioner Gertie Sprenger, an opera board member, and her son, Stephen Sprenger, serving as liasons. Monday, June 18, will be the first formal meeting with the opera's Director of Education Perry Lorenzo to discuss the project. V. Other business · Arts assistant Marilyn Young started work June 5. She's a dancer and has managed tour programs in schools. She's particularly interested in arts education. · Lori Patrick, cultural programs specialist, distributed the 2001 Shades of Summer brochure and posters and the Fourth of July Festival poster. Artspace remains interested in the vacant JCPenny building as potential artist studio space. However, the organization wants to see a commitment from the city before proceeding. One way would be for the city fund a feasibility study. LiHi, a developer of low-income housing, still has a bid under consideration on the building. There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m. The next regular meeting is Monday, July 9, 4:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1.