City of Lawrence

Lawrence Arts Commission

Meeting Minutes for November 8, 2006

Members Present:

Marlene Merrill, chairs; Judi Geer Kellas; Liz Kowalchuk, David Lowenstein, Evie Rapport; John Reeves; James Schaefer

Members Absent:

Elizabeth Hatchett; Margaret Morris; Sandra Wiechert

November Secretary:

James Schaefer

Staff Liaison:

Michael Tubbs

A. Meeting was called to order at 6:40p.m. by Marlene Merrill, chair.

B. Rapport motioned to approve October minutes; Lowenstein approved

C. January meeting secretary: Sandra Wiechert

D. Announcements from the Chair:

          1) Recommended we be involved in the Kansas residency of the National Symphony in Lawrence, March 28th, 2007.  They are in preliminary stages of planning.

          2) Congratulations to Rapport for Phoenix awards ceremony and thanks also to Lowenstein.

          3) November 16th, Merrill will talk to Leadership Lawrence.

          4) Merrill attended Fire Station #5 dedication.

E. Discussion, re:

          1) Communications and marketing

          2) Website direction

          3) Research no other cities

          4) Mission statement – to help us focus on what our activities should be

F. Kowalchuk introduced K.U. Professor Wertzberger to commission

          Discussion about website design: we need to tie the website to other facets of identity and get message of arts commission out.  Kowalchuk: a one-stop shop where culture and history of Lawrence can be accessed.  Rapport: through links, we could be seen as a conduit, a funnel with biographies of Kansas artists for history – a spirit of cooperation is necessary.  Kellas asked about Logo – Tubbs said we are getting back to using City logo on site. 

          Kowalchuk research on what other cities have done.  Her research question: how well do collateral materials educate about the arts.  Samples were distributed of mission statements and websites of other Arts Commissions.

          Wertzberger reported on what the committee has done: an overview of the design process.  1) Goals and objectives are first step of website design. 2) Site architecture.  3) Design Exploration and Content development: a website is never ending; you have to continually update.  Kowalchuk said we all had to participate in content development; she will be looking to various subcommittees for help.  4) Final Content and Design Refinements.  5) Coding and Testing. 

          Tubbs said city will be interested in accessibility to website, a handicap browser was suggested.  Merrill encouraged each commissioner to email goals to Wertzberger; she would like everybody to have input.  Kowalchuk said this was the appropriate time for that.  Kellas said from her perspective as an artist, she would want easy access to forms and grant information – practical.  Wertzberger said that keeping track of links will be helpful in making our website a portal.  Discussion of audience profile.

          Site architecture: Wertzberger is working on limiting to max 7 buttons

          Lowenstein (re: public art funding) will pursue a Kansas Arts Commission Grant for this cycle.

          User tasks: be realistic: what is important we start building now.  Merrill asked Commissioners to think about establishing goals section and jot down goals.

          Kowalchuk distributed materials of public art programs for review, suggested a guide to exploring public art.  If we are going to do this, we will need funding.  Rapport suggested using volunteer efforts of K.U. students. 

          We will come back to mission statements next time we meet.  In the meantime, jot down thoughts, brainstorm.

G. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:

Outdoor Sculpture: Kellas spoke with juror of 20th anniversary show today.  Allocation of money for travel and accommodations up to $500 was earlier approved by City Manager Corliss.  Juror promised to call with date for reception and juror’s tour.  Lowenstein added that this should be a wake-up call if we want to grow the program, we will have to offer professional honorariums.  High quality requires money.  Tubbs raised issue that Commission has to raise money on behalf of public art to signify its importance to City Commission.  Kellas suggested having letter on file that would confirm and clarify terms of juror.

Percent for Art: Dec 1st three finalists will be in town.  At that time, it will be decided if a week is needed to decide

Phoenix Award: Rapport would like to see an increase in the budget for the artist-award.  Rapport would like to see adding a category or two to award.  Rapport suggested dropping printed invitations to save money; Schaefer strongly disagreed.  Merrill suggested we need a coordinated look at the budget.  Tubbs suggested making ceremony more formal, inviting the Mayor to increase prestige.  Rapport said we need to formalize the process with a time-line for next year.

H. NEW BUSINESS:

New cycle starts Jan 31st.  We will have farewells for leaving commissioners then.  A call for nominations for Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary.  Lowenstein nominated Schaefer for Chair, Kowalchuk seconded.  Vote next meeting.  Schaefer nominated Kowalchuk for Vice-Chair.  Kellas moved to allocate money for framing the 40th anniversary poster; Kowalchuk seconded.  Poster will hang in City Hall.  December meeting called. 

Kowalchuk moved to adjourn; Rapport seconded.  Motion carried.