HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-2010City of Auburn Arts Commission, City Hall Room 3
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 Meeting Minutes
Present: Leslie Moore, Kristen Brock, Cary Davidson, Debby Deal, David Sader, Linda Elliott,
Visual/Public Art Coordinator Maija McKnight, Councilmember Rich Wagner Excused: Pat Judd, Donna
Smart, Nancy Colson Unexcused: Tanya Rottle Guests: Councilmember Virginia Haugen
Call to Order, Approval of Minutes, Introductions and Approval of Minutes: Chair Leslie Moore
called the meeting to order at 4:36 pm. Due to lack of a quorum, the January minutes will be
approved at the regular March meeting.
Guest Councilmember Virginia Haugen was introduced to the commissioners.
2010 Work Plan
Julie Brewer the Community Event and Marketing Manager in the Parks Department passed out two
documents. One document included a page from the Manual of Policies and Procedures section
1000, subject 100, title, 20 (created in 1986 and revised in 2007) that includes the stated mission,
purpose and goals of the Arts Commission. The other document was an overview of the programs
coordinated through the Cultural Arts Division, with additional information noted such as attendance
and budgetary and staff intensiveness. Ms. Brewer started the conversation with two questions
"What are the City's core programs as seen by the Arts Commission" and "Which programs does the
Commission feel are the highest priority in best serving the Auburn Community."
Chairperson Moore noted that the BRAVO Performing Arts Series is the `cornerstone' program.
Various changes have occurred to alter the series over the past few years, but feels committed to the
success and continuation of this important program which brings high quality performing arts groups
at an affordable ticket price. Discussion about BRAVO continued including programming priorities,
audience diversification, and marketing strategies. Councilmember Wagner inquired to the number of
annual subscribers there are to the BRAVO series, and requested a report on these numbers at the
next meeting.
In addition to BRAVO, Kids Summer Stage and the Auburn Avenue Theater are other Performing Arts
opportunities. Other programming areas include Public Art Program including the development of
new projects corresponding with Capital Facilities projects, annual maintenance, and privately
developed artwork. Visual arts programming includes the gallery program and various partnerships
for the display of artwork. Arts Education includes the Art with Artist Class series and ArtRageous
summer festival.
Maija McKnight noted that beyond the regularly scheduled programming, the city also participates in
special projects that are generally grant funded which allow the ability to respond to community needs
and initiatives (i.e. Faces of Auburn Mural Project in Summer 2009). Monies are also re-distributed
through re-granting that support local organizations and initiatives that go to further support arts and
culture in Auburn. An overview of the grants that the City receives in support of the arts can will be a
future meeting agenda item.
Julie Brewer noted that the majority of the programming was already determined for the remainder of
2010 year, and that we would be planning for the 2011-2012 biennium in summer.
Commissioner Sader noted that throughout all the programs, consideration should be given to
programming that appeals to a broader spectrum of the population. Discussion continued.
Chairperson Moore inquired if the Commission would be interested for a 4Culture representative to
attend an upcoming meeting to talk about experiences with other Local Arts Agencies and innovative
programming.
III. Committee Report
Public Art
Maija McKnight reported that Bruce Meyers had been awarded the contract for the creation of a gate
for the Les Gove Park Gymnasium Climbing Wall. The artist will be presenting his proposal for the
project on Monday, February 8, 4 pm in City Hall, Room 2. The timeline for the final project proposal
is March in order to be included in bid documents put out by BLRB Architecture firm, with the potential
start build date of mid-May. The February 18, 5-6pm meeting in PRAB the agenda item will be the
potential movement of the existing artwork in Les Gove Park to support the overall campus plan.
Councilmember Wagner noted that on the new Cancer Center of the Hospital they have installed a
privately sponsored public artwork that is a sundial on the outside of their building.
Visual Art
Commissioner Debby Deal reported that the Visual Art Committee has begun research the interest
and potential barriers of artists displaying artwork in local businesses. In gathering information, the
committee hopes to be able to create a"how-to" guide to assist businesses while also working to
support and advocate for local artists. This would not be a city program, but rather the committee
would work to put these two audiences together with the goal of creating a stronger arts community in
Auburn. Commissioner Elliot noted that once in place an "art walk" program would be a natural
evolution. The next Visual Art Committee meeting is Wednesday, February 17, 4pm in PRAB.
Arts Education
Maija McKnight reported that the Art with Artist class series have high registration and that for the
majority of 2010 the classes correspond with the gallery artists on display in the City Hall and Senior
Center Galleries. This overlap allows opportunities for joint marketing and strengthening of both
programs. Also noteworthy is the Seattle Opera, Opera Goes to School will be having an artist in
residency at Lakeland Hills Elementary, February 9-12, culminating in a performance for their school
community. This is a partnership with the City, Opera and School District. Auburn is included yearly,
out of five schools selected regionally, in honor of longtime Auburn arts advocate Gertrude Sprenger.
The next meeting will be on March 9, 4-5 pm in PRAB.
Performing Arts
Commissioner Sader noted that himself and staff were working to schedule a meeting within the next
few weeks.
IV. Other/New Business
Chairperson Moore reported that February 2nd was "Arts Day". At the Monday, February 1St Council
meeting, Mayor Lewis made a proclamation recognizing "Arts Day". Chairperson Moore, Commissioner
Elliott, Maija McKnight and Mary Ellen Bowers, Green River Community College attended various
meetings and presentations in Olympia throughout the day coordinated by Washington State Arts
Alliance. Commissioner Elliott provided an overview issues that were discussed.
Upcoming Meetings:
Public Art Committee: Thursday, February 18, 5-6pm, Parks, Arts & Recreation Building
Visual Art Committee: Wednesday, February 17, 4pm, Parks, Arts & Recreation Building
Arts Education Committee: Tuesday, March 9, 4-5 pm in Parks, Arts & Recreation Building
Performing Art Committee: Wednesday, February 17, 11 am in Parks, Arts & Recreation Building
Next Commission Meeting: Tuesday, March 2, 4:30-6 pm in City Hall, Room 3
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Majia McKnight
Approved on the ~day of /11 v~W~-l/w~ne City of Auburn Arts Commission
Leslie Moore, Chair
Maija Mc ight, isual/Pu b A s Coordinator