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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-12-1999Auburn Arts Commission Monday, July 12, 1999 MINUTES Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Cheryl Hosking, Steve LePenske, Lynn Norman, Pam Smith, Gertie Sprenger, John Stanphill Commissioners absent: Paul Dodsworth, Bonnie Egbert, Don Gardner, Bobby Medina, and Barbara Sharrard (excused) Staffpresent: Lori Corso, Susan Sagawa Other people in attendance: Pam Ferrell Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 4:47 p.m. I. Introductions and approval of minutes Chair Norman asked that the minutes be approved as mailed. Gertie Sprenger moved that the minutes be approved. Cheryl Hosking seconded the motion. Lori Corso noted that she was assistant director of public relations at Lewis & Clark College, not assistant director of the college as the minutes state. Chair Norman asked that the commission approve the minutes as corrected. MOTION APPROVED Chair Norman introduced Pam Ferrell who served on the Arts Organization Support Grants Panel. II. Staffreports A. Fourth of July Festival at Les Gove Park Lori Corso reported the festival was a success. An estimated 3,500 people attended. The weather cooperated without a drop of rain, and the sun came out in the afternoon. More kids than ever participated in the Kid's Parade. Old Navy sponsored the Kids' Parade and the Kids' Craft comer. The bike-decorating kits, flags, kazoos and balls the Old Navy "fun crews" handed out throughout the day were a hit. Old Navy is considering participating next year. Ride ticket sales were up, and the Kids' Craft Comer almost ran out of supplies. Second Wind, the Main Stage band, received a lot of compliments from festival goers of all ages and musical tastes. Craft Booths: Craft and food vendors said they didn't do as well this year. Steve LePenske said because the craft booths aren't profitable, the commission could consider using the craft area for something more family-oriented. Lynn Norman said people don't attend the festival to buy crafts; they come to enjoy a family outing and participate in activities for kids. Lynn Norman said she looks at the festival as a "hometown opportunity" with a focus on a small-town, old-fashioned celebration. Steve LePenske said the parade in the park preserves the local feel, and kids decorating their bicycles contributed to the festival's strong family emphasis. In the news: Lori corso said the festival enjoyed some positive media attention. KING 5 TV came and aired short segments featuring the festival on the evening newscasts. A "Cheer" appeared in the July 8 issue of the South County Journal's "Cheers & Jeers" section. Food booths: Commissioners agreed the festival would benefit from more food booths and a broader variety of food selections. Currently, food booths are limited to non-profit and community-service organizations. The festival featured four booths this year. Food vendors said sales were down. Lynn Norman said the more options food vendors offer, the better they tend to do. Lori Corso said Arts Commission staffhas discussed helping forge parmerships between local restaurants and non-profit organizations. Many non-profit groups don't have the money, equipment or manpower to run a profitable food booth. By involving commercial food businesses, who in turn would donate a percentage of their proceeds to the non-profits, the festival could feature more booths and a variety of food. Entertainment: Cheryl Hosking said the Bird Man's parrots were popular with the children, and her family enjoyed the roving Dixieland Jazz Band. Steve LePenske suggested A1 Price who plays in a bluegrass band as potential entertainment for next year. Price's band performed at the Auburn Good O1' Days last year. Lynn Norman said she would like to see the festival evolve into an event like one on Whidbey Island, which features unusual crafts and ongoing entertainment. Festival hours: Susan Sagawa said the parks and recreation staffhave decided to run the festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in 2000. The festival began early this year, at 10 a.m. B. Ambassadors for BRAVO! and Shades of Summer concerts Susan Sagawa invited commissioners to introduce BRAVO! events and/or suggest members of the community who might be willing to introduce artists. She distributed a sign-up sheet. The idea is to have to have people in the community, not just Arts Commission staff, introduce performances. Susan Sagawa and Gertie Sprenger will introduce the Seattle Opera Young Singers in Recital, Oct. 9. Lee Valenta, chair of the Auburn Symphony Board of Directors, will introduce the Auburn Symphony Orchestra, Oct. 23 and 24, and Feb. 19 and 20. Pam Smith agreed to introduce Puget Sound Musical Theatre on Dec. 3 or Dec. 4. Susan Sagawa will introduce Tim Noah, Dec. 18, and Common Ground, Jan. 15. Herman Ansingh will introduce the Peking Acrobats, April 2. He will ask Barbara Sharrard if she would like to introduce Bronn Journey, April 8. Lori Corso and Susan Sagawa will introduce the series of children's Saturday matinee performances. Lynn Norman encouraged commissioners to attend Shades of Summer concerts. Last summer, commissioners' attendance at the evening concerts was poor. She encouraged commissioners to attend at least one concert, spread the word an.d bring friends and family. C. Call for Artists Susan Sagawa said the call for artists for the 2000 City Hall Gallery exhibition program will go out soon. The deadline for artists to submit slides is Sept. 15. Steve LePenske, Herman Ansingh, Lynn Norman, and Cheryl Hosking will serve on the jurying panel. The panel will meet, Thursday, Sept. 30, at 3:30 p.m. Susan Sagawa will schedule a room. D. Studio visit Susan Sagawa confirmed, Saturday, Sept. 11, for the Arts Commission visit to Nancy Mee and Dennis Evans' studio to view the King County Library public art project. Susan Sagawa booked a 15-seat, city van from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. III. Commissioner's report Steve LePenske reported on the recommendations of the Arts Organization Support Grants Panel, which met June 24. He said awarding funds to the five quality applic0nts was a challenging process. Each of the organizations had applied and received funding in previous years. The level of requests ($10,700) was almost double the amount of funding available ($6,000). ORGANIZATION AMOUNT AMOUNT REQUESTED AWARDED Uniquely Auburn $2,200 $1,000 Auburn Symphony Orchestra $3,300 $1,200 Evergreen City Ballet $2,000 $1,900 Puget Sound Musical Theatre $1,200 $1,200 It Plays in Peoria/SPLAB $2,00 $700 Steve LePenske moved that the commission accept the level of funding recommended by the grant review panel and the report from the panel meeting. Herman Ansingh seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED Susan Sagawa said because Puget Sound Musical Theatre (PSMT) didn't qualify for funding last year fewer organizations received a larger share of the $6,000 available. (The theatre's project proposal fell outside of the grant timeline). This year, the commission changed the guidelines to better accommodate the performance schedules of organizations. With PSMT in the mix, there was less money to award than last year. Susan Sagawa will send out letters to the organizations informing them of their level of grant funding. III. Other business Chair Norman said in May 2000, the King County Arts Commission may award grants on a matching basis. If this occurs, she will explore the possibilities of securing matching funds for the Commission to award. Leila Booth will host a planning meeting for the May arts fundraiser, Monday, July 19, 4 p.m. at her home. The Auburn Symphony Orchestra will host a fund-raising seminar, Monday, July 19, 6 p.m., at Columbia Bank. Gerry Miller will host a fundraiser for the Auburn Symphony at his home, Sept. 12. Details to follow. The Arts Commission retreat is, Monday, Sept. 20, 4 to 8 p.m. Susan Sagawa said staffwill set up a BRAVO! information table at the Shades of Summer concerts, where people can fill out subscription/ticket-order forms. Cheryl Hosking volunteered to help at the table at the first evening concert, July 23. There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 5:40.p.m. The next'meeting is Monday, Aug. 9, at 4:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1.