Lawrence Arts Commission

Minutes of March 12, 2008

 

Present: John Reeves, Chair; Elizabeth Hatchett; Lora Jost; Amy Kelly; Tom King; David Loewenstein; Jane Pennington; Leslie vonHolten, Vice-Chair.

 

Absent: Donna Griffin; Matthew Herren, Secretary; Evie Rapport.

 

Public: Melissa Johnson and Taylor Nye, KU Journalism students;  Whit Bones, Aaron Storck and Yuri Zupancic of the Fresh Produce Art Collective.

 

A. The meeting was called to order by the Chair, John Reeves, at 7:13 PM in the City Commission meeting room at City Hall.

 

B. The Minutes of February 13, 2008 were amended as follows:

-        C.1.B. - Change spelling of Commissioner Kelly's first name from “Aimee” to “Amy.”

-        C.2.C. - Phoenix Awards: change first sentence to read: “Commissioner Loewenstein met with past [insert PHOENIX] committee Chair and former Commissioner Sandra Weichert...”

 

C. Regular Agenda Items

1.A. Chair Reeves barely announced that due to his loss of voice, Vice-Chair vonHolten would lead the meeting.

1.B. Introduction and welcoming of Amy Kelly.

 

2.A Grants: Hatchett announced that only two people attended the recent Grants Workshop at the Aquatic Center. She noted that insufficient public notice of the event, coupled with a distant location, probably caused the poor turn-out. Michael Tubbs said that past workshops have been publicized two months ahead of time, with good attendance.

 

2.B ODSE: Griffin absent. No report.

 

2.C. Phoenix Awards: Loewenstein announced that Lawrence textile / fabric artist Kristin Moreland has been asked to create the 2008 Phoenix awards. He expects a response in a couple of weeks.

 

2.D. Website: King reported that website designer Andrea Wertzberger had rescheduled her presentation to the Commission's April 9th meeting.

 

2.E. Fundraising & Project Development: Jost was happy to announce that the committee's first Arts Infrastructure grant application was in the mail.

 

2.G. Roundtable: Hatchett reprted that two members of the Chamber of Commerce attended the March meeting of the Roundtable. She said the Chamber representatives spoke of forging a new identity for Lawrence, and several commissioners noted the conspicuous absence of Chamber representatives at Arts Commission meetings. VChair vonHolten noted the need for the Arts Commission to attend City Commission meetings. Hatchett also advised that the end of May is the deadline for any announcements in the Lawrence Visitors Center calendar.

 

D. New Business: Oread Hotel Public Art.

1. Michael Tubbs stated that an art piece for the Oread hotel project would probably be located in a public right-of-way. He asked if the Commission wanted to review art projections for the project.

 

2. Loewenstein stressed the need for specific review criteria for such projects, citing the mural review procedures as a template. Loewenstein noted that specific guidelines are essential  to developers in preparing accurate and efficient presentations regarding public art. He asked if the Commission should submit an outline of questions and criteria to the developers before the planning begins. Commissioners briefly discussed possible criteria for such projects. Tubbs said that the City Manager would have to sign off on any questions or criteria before they could be submitted to the developer. Tubbs said he would inform the City Manager that the Arts Commission would like to review the Oread project.

 

3. Chair Reeves asked Tubbs for an accounting of funds from 2007 Percent for Arts projects. Reeves believes there may be a significant surplus. Tubbs said he would investigate the matter.

 

E. Unfinished Business

A. Update resolutions and Policy Manual - regarding DRAFT 2 of a letter to the City Commission RE: Change to City Resolutions 5966 and 5015, Lawrence Arts Commission.

 

1. Tubbs suggested that Item 3 (funding for the Staff Liaison to attend public art conferences), in the proposed changes to Resolution 5015 should be moved to the proposed changes to Resolution 5966 as Item 4. Loewenstein moved that DRAFT 2  be accepted--with changes suggested by Tubbs--and sent to the City Commission for approval. Chair Reeves seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

2. Tubbs mentioned that the Commission's suggestion of the Carnegie Library as a permanent office space and public arts library for the Commission--Item 3 in proposed changes to Resolution 5966--would likely be denied by the City. Loewenstein resubmitted his motion to accept DRAFT 2, with a change to Item 3, Res, 5966 to read: "the Carnegie library or suitable alternative." Seconded by Reeves, carried unanimously.

 

F. Commissioner Items

1. King: Fresh Produce Art Collective. Whit Bones, Aaron Storck and Yuri Zupancic gave a brief talk about the mission of Fresh Produce, and described past shows and upcoming events. The group shows regularly at Teller's restaurant and hosts art events at various houses/studios around town. Fresh Produce also sponsors the Red Balloon To-Do (tour of local galleries and studios), and is opening a gallery at 19th and Haskell in April 2008.

WEBSITE URL HERE.

 

2. Jost: Accessible Arts. A non-profit program connecting the arts to people with disabilities. Accessible Arts offers free consultations to arts organizations across the state, including one-on-one program consultations and sensitivity training (signing, braille). Michael Tubbs suggested the formation of an ad hoc committee to address accessible arts issues. Hatchett, Jost, Kelly, Reeves and vonHolten volunteered for the committee.

 

G. Other Business

1. Tubbs noted that the Art Commission's 2009 budget proposal is due at the end of April 2008.

 

2. Attendance of ex-officio members at Commission meetings: Hatchett questioned the lack of attendance by ex-officio members at Commission meetings. Jost suggested a friendly letter to ex-officio members to attend one specific meeting per year. Loewenstein recommended set annual meetings with other allied city boards and departments to facilitate communication and efficient presentations to City government. Tubbs suggested the Commission's upcoming Annual Report as a good venue for such an invitation. Chair Reeves agreed to include an invitation to ex-officio members in the Annual Report.

 

3. Loewenstein announced that the Percolator art group is now a 509c3, taking over non-profit status from LCAVA, who formerly sponsored the Lawrence Own Your Own (LOYO) art sales. The new Percolator art space is located directly behind (NE) the Arts Center.

 

4. Tubbs discussed orientation dates with Commissioners Jost, Kelly and Pennington.

 

5. City Art Collection: Tubbs has compiled a list of approximately 160 art works so far. The catalog  will include any city-owned and public art. He suggested an ad hoc committee to catalog, photograph and describe City art works--a lengthy process. Chair Reeves recommended using the catalog for insurance appraisals.

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Tom King, for Secretary Matt Herren.

 

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