Lawrence Arts Commission

Minutes of June 11, 2008

City Commission Meeting Room

Present: John Reeves, Chair; Leslie vonHolten, Vice-Chair; Matthew Herren, Secretary;

Donna Griffin; Elizabeth Hatchett; Lora Jost;  David Loewenstein; Jane Pennington;

Evie Rapport, Immediate Past Chair

Absent: Amy Kelly

City Staff: Michael Tubbs, Staff Liaison

Public: Marilyn Roy, Lawrence League of Women Voters

A.  The meeting was called to order at 7:06 PM by the Chair, John Reeves.

B.  The Minutes of May 21, 2008 meeting were reviewed and the following misprints were notes: Section E., 1., B.  ‘Increase’ was misspelled; Section E., 2., B., Phoenix artist’s name should read ‘Morland’, and ‘streamlined’ was misspelled.  Motion by Commissioner Griffin to approve minutes as corrected was seconded by Commissioner Rapport. 

C.  New Business

            1.  Committee Reviews

            a.  Phoenix Awards.  Commissioner Loewenstein presented an outline of strengths and weaknesses of Phoenix Awards Program and the committee’s proposed changes.  Categories for nominees were discussed and it was agreed that specific categories be determined by the Commission rather than by nominator.  This, along with LAC recruiting/advertising, should increase the number of nominees and strengthen the program.  It was also agreed that the number of awardees be reduced from 8 (eight) to 5 (five) or 6 (six) in 2009.  Newly revised nomination forms will be available in September. 

            b. Funding and Project Development.  Commissioner Jost presented an outline of strengths and weaknesses based on Committee thoughts.  Thoughts about fund raisers include a public art catalogue which could be sold.  Also discussed were grants and the work involved with writing them, the need for staff to do so.  Many accessibility issues may be addressed with grant funding, and the KAC offers many grants for which LAC may be eligible. 

            c.  Grants (discuss in August)

            d.  OSDE (discuss in August)

D.  Unfinished Business

1.  Letter to City Commission.  A letter to the City Commission regarding maintenance of Percent for Art works will be written in the near future. 

2.  LAC Resolutions Letter: A response from City Legal Department is awaited. 

3.  John Northington has been contacted regarding reimbursement for travel/transportation of his sculpture (which was removed due to safety issues) and a response is awaited. 

E.  Regular Agenda Items

Mr. Tubbs asked, on behalf of The City, whom to communicate with and how, about Commission business.  The City is now asking this of all advisory boards.  It was agreed that email with officers, forwarded to Commissioners as needed, is satisfactory.  Phone calls may also be made, as needed. 

1.  Announcements from The Chair

            A.  The 2009 Budget request has been submitted to The City via email.  Response pending.   Chair Reeves noted that Kansas City’s Public Art Program includes a cellphone tour of outdoor pieces, sponsored by Commerce Bank.  This service has been offered to Lawrence and will be considered. 

2.  Subcommittee Reports

                        A.  ODSE: Commissioner Griffin reported that the ODSE opening tour was highly successful.  Bill Buchen, the juror, will be sent a thank you note and asked for his comments about the program. 

                        B.  Phoenix Awards: Report relfected above, C.,1., a.

C.  Website: Commissioner vonHolten reported that the website is very near

completion and discussion ensued about a listing of local artists.  A link to Lawrence.com may be included on LAC website. 

D.  Fundraising and Project Development: Report reflected above, C., 1., b. 

E.  Grants/Workshops: Commissioner vonHolten had no news. 

G.  Rountable: Commissioner Hatchett noted that The Lawrence Arts Center has

announced its final three candidates for Executive Director and has arranged for public meetings with each of them (3 candidates).  She also distributed announcements of upcoming events. 

H.  Ad-hoc for Accessibility: Commissioner Jost presented packets of information

to each Committee Chair with information on making LAC programs accessible to a larger public and suggested that The Commission consider asking The City for funds to implement these changes in the 2010 budget request. 

After motion by Commissioner Pennington, seconded by Commissioner Griffin, Meeting was adjourned at 8:27  PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew Herren, Secretary