Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-09-2005 City of Auburn Arts Commission Monday, May 9, 2005 Minutes Commissioners present: Bonnie Egbert, chair; Barbie Sharrard; Herman Ansingh; Pat Gallagher; Kristen Brock; Amanda Flanery; Steve LePenske; Linda Elliott; Pam Smith Commissioners absent: Anne Baunach, Don Gardner, Nancy Colson Staff present: Lori Patrick, Cultural Arts Manager; Laurie Rose, Cultural Arts Coordinator I. Introductions and approval of minutes Commissioner Steve LePenske moved that the April minutes be approved as submitted. Commissioner Herman Ansingh seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED. Cultural Arts Manager Lori Patrick introduced the new Cultural Arts Coordinator, Laurie Rose. Ms. Rose's backgronnd is in performing arts management, marketing and event production. She started April 18 and her first assignments are already underway. Ms. Rose prefers to go by her full name to avoid confusion. II. BRAVO! 2004/05 season statistics and 2005/06 planning update Ms. Patrick reported that the 04/05 BRAVO! Season ended with a well-attended performance of The Sleeping Beauty by The Evergreen City Ballet. Discussion followed regarding feedback about no live orchestra for the BRAVO! performance and that the run-time was too long. Ms. Patrick agreed and said she would carefully review with the artists appropriate length of performances. Ticket revenues and audience attendance figures for the 04/05 season were down from previous season: $53,069 (5,500 attending) for 04/05, compared to $73,788 (8,700 attending) for 03/04. The difference does not necessarily reflect an actual decrease, but a relative one. In 03/04, 11 Mainstage shows were presented, versus only eight this season. However, the Mainstage line-up from the previous season had shows that proved bigger draws than this season's line-up. Discussion followed regarding attendance in previous years. Commissioner Pam Smith asked that a spread sheet and/or graph charting attendance and revenue trends for each presentation over the past five seasons. BRAVO! 05/06 season line up is in progress and should be finalized soon. The Moscow Circus cancelled its West Coast tour, Ms. Patrick reported. She said this late in the booking season it is a challenge to find a replacement as most artists' tours are contracted, leaving very few available dates. The PAC has booked many of its available dates, as well. However, Ms. Patrick has found one possible replacement, the Russian American Kids' Circus, based out of Brooklyn, New York, which features a troupe of acrobats, ages 4 - 16. Instead of filling the vacant February slot, however, they would May 5, 2005 City of Auburn Arts Commission Meeting Minutes Page 1 of3 only be able to perform on Sept. 18th. Discussion followed regarding September being an early start to the season, presenting some promotional challenges, but that those challenges could be reasonably met. Ms. Patrick continued regarding the 05/06 season, reviewing the line-up (SEE ATTACHED 2005-06 BRAYO! SERŒS). To-date, 80% of the season, including BRA YO! Kids, is confirmed. The final slot for BRA YO! Kids is still to be determined. Discussion followed regarding ticket distribution for the free December concert by the 133rd Army Band and whether there could be a nominal ticket price charged as a donation to a deserving community organization, such as the food bank. Ms. Patrick said that staff would continue to review the options. Other notes regarding the upcoming season: · Ms. Patrick said that she and Ms. Rose would be setting internal revenue goals for the season and will have those numbers at a future Commission meeting. · Wesley Homes, a retirement community has expressed interest in being a sponsor for an Auburn Symphony concert. Actual sponsorship dollars have not yet been discussed. · Ms. Rose is currently writing a grant to Boeing for in-kind printing of the 05/06 season brochure. III. Public Art Project: Auburn Way South and "F" Street S.E. Ms. Patrick reported that eleven artists applied to be considered for the Auburn Way South and "F" Street S.E. installation. The selection panel met mid-April and chose two finalists for their previous experience creating integrated art-in-public-places works. The finalists visited the site with Ms. Patrick last week. A question came up whether directional signage is to be a part ofthe art. It is agreed that a directional element ought to be a component, since the thrust, or "audience," are passing drivers rather than pedestrians. The site is a primary access point to the Les Gove campus. Staff will present the artists' idea boards/proposals for the site at aLes Gove community Campus meeting, 6:30 p.m., June 7, at the Senior Center, where the public will be invited to comment on the proposals. The final public art panel meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., June 8th. Ms. Patrick distributed a recent Seattle Times feature article, "Is public art disappearing?" IY. 2005 Arts Organization Support Grant Ms. Patrick reported Arts Organization Support Grant applications are being prepared for distribution. The panel will regrant $12,000 to local arts organizations, of which $11,865 comes from 4Culture with the balance of$I35 from the City of Auburn Arts Commission. Deadline for the 2005 applications is June 17. The panel will meet on May 5, 2005 City of Auburn Arts Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 of3 June 28, 1- 4:30 p.m., to review the applications. Discussion followed about possible community panelists and general grant criteria were reviewed. Y. Fourth of July Festival Call for Y olunteers Ms. Rose will be this year's event lead. Ms. Patrick asked for volunteers to assist with checking in the food and community vendors the morning of July 4, from approximately 7:30 a.m. until noon. Commissioners Barbara Sharrard and Kristen Brock asked to be put on the list. YI. Clean Sweep, May 21 Ms. Patrick circulated a volunteer sign-up sheet for the City's annual Clean Sweep event. YII. Other Business * The Evergreen City Ballet will hold an open house May 26th. · Ms. Rose is the event lead for Auburn Idol. General announcements about the auditions went out last week and the event is moving forward smoothly in partnership with the Auburn Downtown Association. Commissioner Pam Smith confirmed that she will be a judge for the auditions, July 23 and 24. Semi-finalists will compete at the August 19 Shades of Summer concert at Game Farm Park. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. The next meeting is Monday, June 13 at 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room, City Hall, 25 W. Main St. Respectfully submitted, Laurie Rose Cultural Arts Coordinator May 5, 2005 City of Auburn Arts Commission Meeting Minutes Page3 of3