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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-11-2003Auburn Arts Commission Monday, Aug. 11, 2003 MINUTES Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Chair Anne Baunach, Bonnie Egbert, Don Gardner, Lynn Norman, Steve LePenske, Barbie Sharrard, Pam Smith, Gertie Sprenger and John Stanphill ~ Commissioners absent: Kristen Brock, Paul Dodsworth (both excused) Staff present: Susan Gochoel, cultural programs manager, Loft Patrick, cultural programs coordinator Chair Anne Baunach called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was at the home of Arts Commissioner Steve LePenske. I. Introduction and approval of minutes Due to a lack of a quorum at the July meeting, the commission tabled approval of the June minutes to the August meeting. Commissioner Herman Ansingh moved that the June and July minutes be approved as mailed. Commissioner Barbie Sharrard seconded. MOTION APPROVED II. Status of public art projects Cultural Programs Manager Susan Gochoel offered a status report on public art projects. · Restoration of the Michelle Van Slyke piece, "Every Year the Salmon Return," at Roegner Park is complete, Gochoel said. Gochoel reported the city's winter banners are weathered and worn and need to be replaced. She received a $12,000 bid for a new set of banners, which includes a workshop for artists to work with the children at Gildo Rey Elementary to create designs based on a winter theme. Gochoel said she hopes to purchase the banners with public art dollars, but won't know until city budget meetings convene later in the week. Commissioner Bonnie Egbert moved that the commission approve the $12,000 fee to fabricate a new set of winter banners and workshop. Commissioner Don Gardner seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED (more) Arts Commission August 03 minutes Page 2 Gochoel reported last year's $30,000 allocation of public art monies remains frozen to potentially help fund the city's new gateway project. Commissioners expressed concern that if public art dollars are used to fund future gateways, they would like to have a significant role in the projects. Commissioners agreed that if arts commission dollars help fund gateway~signage, the signage shouldcontain artistic elements. Commissioners said they didn't want signage confused with public art. Commissioner Steve LePenske said he would a draft a letter to the mayor relaying the commission's concern about the use of public art dollars for gateways. Artist Paul Sorey replied to the city's letter giving him 60 days to respond regarding the completion of his public art project, a series of metal cutout figures linking downtown's Main Street and the Sound Transit station. Gochoel reported that Sorey's proposal includes 12 cutout figures to be placed at 5 downtown sidewalk locations instead of on the Sound Transit station plaza. Figures will be installed at sites including outside The Sunbreak CafE, Main Street Perk and the King County Housing Authority. Commissioner Barbie Sharrard moved that the commission enter into phase 2 of Sorey's contract and issue the $5,000 payment to commence fabrication, with the stipulation that he completes and installs the piece by Oct. 15. Commissioner LePenske seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED III. Marketing ideas for the 2003-04 BRAVO.* Season Cultural Programs Coordinator Lori Patrick reported marketing efforts will shift from posters to postcards for individual performances this season. Based on the results of audience surveys, postcards have proven more effective, she said. Commissioners brainstormed ways they can help market the BRAVO! series, including handing out brochures at their churches and service clubs; mailing postcards announcing performances to friends, family and colleagues and buying blocks of tickets. Commissioner John Stanphill will inquire about getting a mailing list of Auburn Boeing employees, as the commission offers a 20 percent discount on BRAVO! orders to Boeing employees. The commission also plans to offer a 20 percent discount to all Zones employees, Patrick reported. Zones, a computer re-seller, is moving its headquarters to Auburn in September. (more) Auburn Arts Commission August 03 minutes Page 3 Commissioners said they were impressed with the audience diversity at the Shades of Summer concerts this summer. Commissioner Lynn Norman said she heard several people rave v4hat a great season it was. The commission hopes to continue to build attendance, particularly at the evening concerts. Commissioner Gardner suggested booking a community band concert - a low-costoption that would draw ~ next summer. Gardner and Commissioner Pam Smith said they would talk with local musicians and vocalists about putting together a community concert and sing-a-long. IV. Approval of funding to local arts organizations Commissioner LePenske forwarded the recommendations of an arts panel that met June 25 to re-grant $12,000, $10,080 awarded through the Cultural Development Authority of King County and $1,920 from the commission budget, to local arts organizations. The panel recommended regranting $11,500 to the applicant organizations and reserving $500 to fund complimentary and discounted BRAVO! tickets. LePenske outlined the panel's recommendations. Evergreen City Ballet - $4,000 to help fund its October performance. It Plays in Peoria (Splab !) - $1,000 to help sustain poetry programs. White River Valley Museum - $1,500 to help fund the shipping and installation costs for a bronze sculpture. Puget Sound Musical Theatre - $1,000 to help fund an after-school theatre arts program. Aubum Symphony Orchestra - $4,000 to fund educational outreach and performance costs for the October concert. Commissioner LePenske moved that the commission accept the panel's recommended funding levels to the local arts organizations. Commissioner Sharrard seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED Gochoel suggested the commission form a committee to review its re-granting guidelines and discuss whether grant guidelines should be changed to include requests for general sustained support. Commissioners Baunach, Sharrard, Egbert and Norman will meet with Gochoel at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 20 at the parks and recreation department. (more) Auburn Arts Commission August 03 minutes Page 4 V. Update on Artspace Artspace, a leading nonprofit real estate developer of live/work space for artists, designates historic buildings and works with the community to transform them into artist space. The Mayor's office and commission haveagreed to split the$5,00© cost-of pre-feasibility study for an Artspace project in Auburn. Commissioner Norman said she intends to complete a draft letter to the Mayor's office outlining the partnership between the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, the city and the arts commissior~ to initiate a contract with Artspace for a pre-feasibility study. Local arts advocates and the chamber will review the draft letter, Norman said. VI. Other business Gochoel thanked Commissioner Stanphill for shepherding ]3oeing's pro- bono printing of the 2003-2004 BRAVO ! Season brochure. The donation was $6,500. Next month staff will issue its annual call for artists to exhibit in the City Hall Gallery in 2004. In October a panel of commissioners will review submissions and select artists for six exhibitions for 2004, (2;ochoel said. Commissioner Norman presented the commission with a plaque from the Auburn Good O1' Days Festival recognizing the Auburn Arts Commission as a 2003 sponsor. There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. The next regular meeting is Monday, Sept. 8, 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room, 25 West Main St.