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Home My WebLink About10-13-2003Auburn Arts Commission Monday, Oct. 13, 2003 MINUTES Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Chair Anne Baunach, Kristen Brock, Paul Dodsworth, Lynn Norman, Steve LePenske, Barbie Sharrard, Para Smith and John Stanphill Commissioners absent: Bonnie Egbert, Don Gardner and Gertie Sprenger (all excused) Staff present: Susan Gochoel, cultural programs manager, Lori Patrick, cultural programs coordinator Visitor: Kris Tucker, executive director of the Washington State Arts Commission Commission Chair Anne Banauch called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. I. Introductions and approval of minutes Chair Baunach welcomed Kris Tucker, executive director of the Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC), who was in attendance to facilitate the commission's annual retreat. Because a quorum of the commission hadn't been reached, Baunach requested the commission postpone its vote to approve the September meeting minutes to later in the meeting. II. Retreat Presentation Tucker opened her presentation by asking commissioners to list what they believed the Auburn Arts Commission did best and what they hoped to take away from the retreat. Below is a listing of commission and staff responses. What commission does best · Commitment of working board, BRAVO! series featuring national touring acts, arts education programs · Commitment and long tenure of commissioners · Get along well, incubator for arts organizations, gallery exhibits · Further support of the arts, enhance quality of life · Work together to support arts · Great group of people, community, bring beauty and culture to Auburn, encourage and support artists · Performance series, public art portfolio expansion and diversification, bring in diverse demographics and new ways of thinking · Create consensus of this community, listen well, represent diversity in the arts · Advocates and ambassadors · K-12 education · Partnerships: college, library, arts organizations, businesses · Supportive City leadership (more) Auburn Arts Commission October 2003 minutes Page 2 What commissioners hope to take away from retreat · Learn about state arts advocacy · Loss of arts dollars from state's perspective · Creative ideas · Learn something · How Auburn Arts Commission can work with WSAC · Share with other arts commissions to work together and build participation · How we can help WSAC · How to better serve the community and learn what other communities are doing · Get the word out about Auburn's arts resources and get residents to act on the information · Build participation, awareness, grow audiences and diversity · Maintain quality of programs despite declining revenue Tucker explained the history of WSAC, its role and programs, which include grant making, arts education, folk arts, public art and arts participation. Tucker discussed methods to measure participation, stating participation goes beyond buying a ticket to an event. Arts participation includes activities such as enrolling in an art class, singing in the church choir, volunteering or donating. Tucker identified three ways to participate: · Audience · Creators · Supporters or stewards Audience Creators Supporters Deepen Quantitative measure ... more Broaden Expand to different art forms and genres Diversify Demographic target ... age, ethnicity, geography Commissioners listed factors they count and compile to gage participation · Number of events presented · Attendance at events · Tickets sold · Annual revenue · Revenue sources · Expenditures · Community feedback/audience surveys · Parent and teacher feedback (more) Auburn Arts Commission October 2003 minutes Page 3 Tucker suggested the commission balance how it conveys countable (tickets sold) and uncountable (such as stories and photographs) data. Often uncountable data has a large impact through touching stories and powerful photographs, Tucker explained. Tucker said the most convincing arguments about art are "a three-layer cocktail" of national data, localized data and the personal story. "We have to do better than build audience," she said. "We have to talk about how arts build the future and contribute to community. Arts are critical because they are important to being a human being." Tucker referenced three issue briefs available on the National Governors' Association Web site: "The Impact of Arts Education on Workforce Preparation," "The Role of the Arts in Economic Development," and "How States are Using Arts and Culture to Strengthen Global Trade Development." Following Tucker' presentation, the commission had reached a quorum. Baunach called for a vote to approve the September meeting minutes. Commissioner Paul Dodsworth moved that the September minutes be approved as submitted. Commissioner Herman Ansingh seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED iii. Artists selected for 2004 exhibitions in City Hall Gallery Susan Gochoel, cultural programs manager, reported a panel of commissioners met Oct. 9 to review submissions for 2004 exhibitions in the City Hall Gallery. The panel reviewed submissions by 22 artists and selected eight artists for a total of six exhibitions. The 2004 exhibition schedule will open with the annual PTA Reflections exhibit of student work. The theme is "I am Really Happy When ..." The panel recommended the gallery feature a group show of drawings as well as photography and painting exhibitions. Gochoel will show slides of selected work at the November meeting. Commissioner Barbie Sharrard moved that the commission approve the 2004 gallery schedule. Commissioner Dodsworth seconded the motion. MOTION APPROVED The commission discussed methods to attract more people to the City Hall Gallery. Staff posts information about exhibits on the City's Web site at www.ci.auburn.wa.us. (more) Auburn Arts Commission October 2003 minutes Page 4 IV. Public art: design of winter banners downtown and call for art at Lakeland Hills Due to a lack of time, Gochoel requested the commission table its discussion of public art to the November meeting. V. Status of Artspace project Chair Baunach received a letter from A1 Hicks, the City's economic development coordinator, announcing the City's intent to match a $2,500 contribution from the arts commission to cover half of an Artspace pre-feasibility study fee. 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. Baunach drafted a response to Hicks' letter stating that the commission looks forward to moving ahead with the feasibility phase. Baunach read the letter to the commission. Commissioner Lynn Norman reported she will meet with Pat Cavanaugh, an interested downtown business owner, to discuss Artspace. VI. Select committee to nominate new officers in 2004 Gochoel reported Vice Chair Bonnie Egbert has expressed she does not want to advance to chair and may need ake a leave of absence from the commission due to personal family matters. The commission discussed forming a nominating committee to forward a recommendation for a chair in 2004. Gochoel still needs to discuss with Egbert whether she wants to remain Vice Chair in 2004. Chair Baunach said she was willing to serve a second term and left the room while the commission discussed the selection of a commission chair in 2004. Commissioner Steve LePenske moved Chair Baunach serve a second term as commission chair in 2004. Commissioner Norman seconded the motion. A brief discussion followed. Commissioners did not submit other nominations for chair. Commissioner Ansingh moved to close the nominations for chair, and Commissioner Dodsworth seconded. Commissioner LePenske called for the question. Commissioner Norman said all in favor of Commissioner Baunach serving a second term as chair say MOTION APPROVED There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. The next regular commission meeting is 4:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 10 in the City Council Conference Room at City Hall, 25 West Main St.