Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission

Minutes of May 13, 2009

Commission Room, City Hall

 

Present:  Susan Craig, Donna Griffin, Amy Kelly, Dave Loewenstein, Kathy Porsch, Jane Pennington

           

Absent: Matthew Herren, Christie Dobson, Grant Fitch, John Reeves, Joanne Renfro

 

City Staff/Others: Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager; Roger Zalneraitis, Economic Development Coordinator/Planner; and two members of the public

 

A.  The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Amy Kelly.

 

B.  The Minutes of the April meeting were reviewed and approved, with the correction regarding the grant amount for the Ministry of Sculpture and Corporation for the Advancement of the Visual Arts. 

 

C.  New Business

            1.  Guest Speakers:  George Paley and Diana Dunkley were present to discuss an item with the Cultural Arts Commission regarding how to make Lawrence the Santa Fe of the Midwest.  George explained that there was a large number of artists in Lawrence and expressed a dream of having Lawrence be the Santa Fe of Kansas.  George read a statement from Saralyn Reece Hardy of the Spencer Museum indicating that the Spencer has received a $1 million grant from Carnegie Mellon and it must be matched by $1 million in local funding. The grant requires collaboration of KU with the community and vice versa. Diana reported that she began working on this idea in Lawrence in the 1980s after a visit to Santa Fe’s Canyon Road.  Discussion commenced on a pedestrian arts corridor at that time.  There were approximately 700 artists in Lawrence then.  Now there are over 1000 and perhaps close to 2000.  She sees this as a great untapped economic resource.  Access to arts supplies is lacking locally and about 50% of arts sales are lost to the local economy. 

 

Diana is interested in creating an arts commons concept.  She would like to create a density of arts activity around the Arts Center.  George has suggested looking at empty buildings.  Diana indicated that previously an ARTwork committee was established to study possible incentives and determine what interaction between the community and the artists worked in other places.  The committee has not met in a couple of years, but Diana thought it could be reestablished.

 

George indicated the community could look at the First Friday concept that Kansas City has established.  It was reported that the Art Guild is opening a gallery in the 1000 block of Massachusetts.  George suggested ways to pull these things together.  He liked the idea of an arts incubator.  Diana said a focus would be drawing people to Lawrence from other areas of the country to buy art and visit Lawrence. 

 

Diana suggested the need for arts organizations to be accessible for the community.  Diana was distressed when an artist living in Kansas City was hired recently to assist the High School.  Information about available local art resources should be out there so they could be tapped.  Commissioner Craig asked if there was an active artist registry.  Diana indicated there was not.  Commissioner Loewenstein indicated that the Cultural Arts Commission decided only to have arts organizations linked to the website, not individual artists, though that concept had been discussed.  Commissioner Craig asked about the size of the Art Guild.  Diana said 400.  Commissioner Craig mentioned that many Lawrence artists used galleries outside of Lawrence.  Diana indicated that there were other galleries in the state that perhaps could be approached about locating in Lawrence.  Diana indicated that most galleries that had been opened in Lawrence did not have a five year business plan.  Diana thought that there would be a market for an upscale art supply store here.  George indicated that there is no reason Lawrence couldn’t have a successful art gallery since they were open in other communities.  Diana wondered how to get this dialogue going and continue it.  Commissioner Loewenstein asked if Diana was familiar with the Kansas City mapping project.  It was a foundation for making proposals for future arts needs.  Commissioner Loewenstein thought that there should be some sort of foundation like this as a starting point.  Commissioner Loewenstein indicated that we don’t have an artist in schools program here and that Lora Jost was working on this when she was on the Commission.

 

Commissioner Kelly indicated that perhaps now was the time to look at a strategic plan as the next step.  Commissioner Craig suggested a Saturday symposium that could bring about a larger dialogue about next steps.  There was a question about stimulus funds.  Commissioner Loewenstein indicated that the Kansas Arts Commission is accepting applications and there is no match required.  Commissioner Kelly thanked Diana and George for attending.

 

2.      Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition: It was confirmed that there are six of the eight sculptures from last year remaining for this year.  Commissioner Griffin reported that Commissioner Reeves was on his way out of town and apologized for not attending.  She said that he was opposed to having the art tour in June because the art isn’t new and there was relatively low attendance last year.  Commissioner Griffin was open to suggestions but agreed with Commissioner Reeves.  There was discussion about who would lead a tour if it were held.  After discussion, Commissioner Loewenstein moved to postpone the ODSE reception and tour at this point.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Griffin.  The motion was approved unanimously.    Diane was asked to cancel the Arts Center for the June 6 date.

 

3.      Percent for Art Report: The Percent for Art report was briefly discussed.  Diane apologized for being late with the report. 

 

E.  Regular Agenda Items     

 

Commissioner Griffin wished to clarify the Kansas Arts Commission grant issue brought up at the last meeting.  Diane indicated that she had spoken with Commissioner Herren regarding when the website designer needed to be paid and how much.  Commissioner Herren had responded that he would check on this.  It was decided that the follow up regarding the report for this grant should be an agenda item for June.  Diane was asked to check on the grant report and forward to Commissioner Griffin.

 

            1.  Subcommittee Reports     

A.  ODSE: See earlier discussion.

                       

B. Phoenix Awards: Commissioner Pennington asked for input from the larger group regarding the Phoenix Awards.  It was suggested to have four awards, though nothing was decided.  Commissioner Pennington asked for suggestions for artists to make the award.  Commissioner Loewenstein indicated that, in the past, artists and their work was discussed and then the Committee made a recommendation on an artist. 

 

There were questions about the budget given that funding from state alcohol tax would not be changing for the remainder of the calendar year.  It was decided to bring ideas to the June meeting regarding projects to pursue for the left-over funds from the Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, which was cut back for this year due to discussion of possible cuts to alcohol tax transfers at the state level. 

 

It was decided to consider recommendations from the Phoenix Award committee at the August meeting.

 

C.  Website: Commissioner Herren was absent, no report.  See earlier discussion.

 

D.  Fund-raising and Grants: Commissioner Kelly asked about grant guidelines and if they should be revised.  After discussion, it was decided that perhaps funding existing programs and equipment should be added.  Commissioner Loewenstein indicated he would look into this with the Committee.

 

F.  Roundtable: Commissioner Pennington had a very brief report.

 

F.  Commissioner Items        

Commissioner Loewenstein reported on the presentation from Arlene Goldbard, which focused on the idea of arts being a driver of culture and community. 

 

Commissioner Kelly asked about the status of the Public Art Navigator project.  Diane indicated that the forms have been submitted and now the focus was on the ability to have the signage requested by the project at the sculpture locations, one of which was on KU property.  It was suggested that Evie Rapport might be able to assist regarding the KU sculpture. 

 

There were questions about the strategic plan. Commissioner Loewenstein indicated that he had a copy and that he would get a copy to Diane to scan for the other Commissioners.  It was decided to discuss this in August.

 

G:  Staff Liaison Items

Diane passed along one item of correspondence.

 

Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Diane Stoddard, Staff Liaison