HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-12-2004
Auburn Arts Commission
Monday, July 12, 2004
MINUTES
Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Kristen Brock, Vice Chair Bonnie Egbert,
Amanda Flanery, Pat Gallagher, Steve LePenske, Barbie Sharrard and Pam Smith
Commissioners absent: Chair Anne Baunach, Nancy Colson, Paul Dodsworth and Don
Gardner (all excused)
Staff present: Susan Gochoel, cultural programs manager, Lori Patrick, cultural
programs coordinator
Vice Chair Bonnie Egbert called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
I. Introductions and approval of June minutes
Commissioner Herman Ansingh moved that the minutes be approved as submitted.
Commissioner Steve LePenske seconded the motion.
MOTION APPROVED
Cultural Programs Manager Susan Gochoel requested the commission add an item to the
top of the agenda to discuss a 2004-2005 BRAVO! performance.
II. BRAVO! 04-05 season
Gochoel said the 133rd Army Band's holiday concert, "A Red, White and Blue
Christmas," 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 5 must be free to the public. She explained it's
against the Army Band's regulations to charge for tickets. Gochoel proposed the
commission celebrate its 20th anniversary with a free holiday concert for the community.
The Valley Chorale and the 70th Army Band of the U.S. Reserve are also on the bill.
Commissioners a~reed the free holiday concert would be a great way to mark the
commission's 20t anniversary. The concert is part of the commission's BRAVO! series.
III. Community Arts Organization Support Grant
Commissioner Pam Smith reported an arts commission panel met June 23 to grant a total
of$12,000, $10,080 awarded through 4Culture's Sustained Support Program and $1,920
from the arts commission budget. The total amount requested by six applicants was
$16,500. The panel's recommendations follow.
White River Valley Museum - $1,700 (requested $2,000) to support a photography
exhibit by Steve LePenske, Aug. 11 to Dec. 19. Grant funds are to cover marketing and
printing costs, not production costs related to mounting the color photographs.
(more)
Auburn Arts Commission
July 2004 Minutes, Page 2
Puget Sound Musical Theatre (PSMT) - $1,400 (requested $1,000) to support the
professional salaries of co-directors as well provide funds for costumes and sets for a
year-round, after-school musical theatre program at Gildo Rey Elementary School. The
panel granted $400 above PSMT's request to cover the cost of hiring a choreographer to
work with the students.
Auburn Symphony Orchestra - $2,000 (requested $4,000) to support the symphony's
education program. Panelists didn't grant full funding because they felt details of the
education program weren't outlined clearly in the grant application, and the symphony's
September and October concerts are already supported by the commission's BRAVO!
senes.
It Plays in Peoria Productions (SPLAB!) - $500 (requested $2,500) to support Living
Room, the Northwest Spoken Word Lab's (SPLAB!) weekly writers' circle and a new
Haiku challenge. Panelists said they would like to see expanded outreach and an
increased presence in the schools.
The Evergreen City Ballet - $4,000 (requested $5,000) to support the performance "The
Best ofECB" Oct. 8 and 9 commemorating the ballet's 10th anniversary season.
Trillium Employment ServicesfUniquely Auburn - $2,400 (requested $2,000) to
support Uniquely Auburn's free, annual community celebration that showcases the city's
diversity, history and artistic expression. The Jan. 23, 2005 event will mark Uniquely
Auburn's 10th anniversary. Panelists awarded additional funding based on the event's
merit - it also includes a free community supper - and community impact.
Commissioner Ansingh moved that the panel's re-granting recommendations be
approved. Commissioner Barbie Sharrard seconded the motion. Commissioner
LePenske abstained because he serves on Trillium Employment Services' board and will
show his photographs at the White River Valley Museum.
MOTION APPROVED
IV. Parks and Recreation Department Long Range Plan
Gochoel distributed a draft of the arts section for the parks and recreation department's
comprehensive plan, which is being updated. Commissioners reviewed the draft and
made suggestions and edits.
At a meeting of the arts commission's public art committee and the city council's
planning and community development committee (PCDC) last March, the arts
commission was charged with developing a 5 to 6-year plan for public art. In May, a
panel of commissioners revisited the public art policy drafted in 1996.
(more)
Auburn Arts Commission
July 2004 Minutes, Page 3
Gochoel distributed a draft of the commission's new Art in Public Spaces Policy. The
new policy outlines a formal process for selecting public art sites and artists. Until
recently the arts commission's public art policy was an informal document, Gochoel
explained. The revised policy calls for biennial meetings between cultural programs
staff, the City Council's Planning and Community Development Committee (PCDC) and
City departments to develop a prioritized list of potential public art projects.
Commissioners reviewed the draft policy and made suggestions.
Gochoel will make edits to both documents and present the commissioners with the
revised drafts.
V. Fourth of July Festival and Shades of Summer concerts
Gochoel said attendance at the City's annual Fourth of July Festival was down due to the
three-day weekend. There were also fewer arts and crafts booths. Historically, Fourth
festivals falling on a Sunday have attracted the smallest crowds. Festival favorites
included Beatles cover band The Nowhere Men on the Main Stage, the new water
playground and face painting. Despite lower festival attendance, the museum attracted
800 visitors, a record number, and the Senior Center's Pie Shack sales were strong.
Next year, the Kids' Parade grandstand will sit alongside the paved park path, so parade
participants won't have to ride their bikes on the grass, which slows the procession down,
Gochoel said.
Cultural Programs Coordinator Lori Patrick passed out the 2004 Shades of Summer
brochures and posters. Shades of Summer kicks off, July 14 with a performance by The
Amazing Pop '0' at Les Gove Park followed by rockabilly band Jo Miller and Her Burly
Roughnecks, July 16 at Game Farm Park. The parks department will host a barbecue for
its volunteers just prior to the July 16 evening concert.
VI. Schedule for installation of Lakeland Hills public art project
Gochoel will meet with artist Brandon Zebold, July 19 to mark where the piece will be
sited at the corner of Evergreen Way and Lakeland Hills Way. Zebold is scheduled to
pour the concrete footing July 22 or 23 and plans to install the sculpture the second week
of August, after the concrete has cured. Parks and Recreation will host a dedication a
couple weeks after the installation.
Commissioners Ansingh, Smith, LePenske and Kristen Brock visited Zebold's Seattle
studio in early July.
(more)
Auburn Arts Commission
July 2004 Minutes, Page 4
VII. Other business
Commissioner Egbert recently visited Chicago where she picked up a publication at the
Chicago Art Institute, which included an informative piece on concert etiquette by the
Chicago Symphony. She passed around the publication for commissioners to review.
There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 6: 15 p.m. The next regular
meeting is Monday, Aug. 9, 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room at City
Hall, 25 West Main St.