City of Lawrence

Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission

June 9, 2010 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Amy Kelly, Lori Madaus, Mandy Lamb, Susan Craig, Kathy Porsch, Sarah Harris, Jane Pennington, Darin White

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Christie Dobson, Matthew Herren

 

STAFF PRESENT:

Diane Stoddard

 

PUBLIC PRESENT:

none

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm. 

 

Minutes

The minutes from the May 2010 meeting were approved as written. 

 

Proposal from Downtown Lawrence, Inc. Regarding Downtown Lawrence Arts District and Final Friday’s:

The LCAC received a proposal from Downtown Lawrence, Inc. related to establishing a Final Friday’s program in Lawrence and creating a Downtown Lawrence Arts District.  Commissioner Pennington reported that several steps had already been taken regarding the project.  They have taken steps to set up a Facebook page and taken initial steps toward the creation of a non-profit agency.  She suggested that someone from the LCAC serve on the board.  Commissioner Harris expressed interest in serving on the board.

 

Commissioner Pennington explained that the reason for a Final Friday’s event was to not compete with or unnecessarily stretch artists who may be participating in a First Friday’s event elsewhere.  She indicated that the organizing group would be meeting once every other week for an initial timeframe.  Commissioner White, Commissioner Kelly and Commissioner Lamb also expressed interest in participating on the board.  It was discussed that initially, service on this board from the LCAC could be rotating since it was a large time commitment.  Commissioner Craig clarified that it was the intention to begin the Final Friday’s event in August 2010.  Commissioner Pennington indicated that was correct.  Commissioner Porsch pointed out that with the non-profit designation, the Arts District could apply independently for funding.  This could enable multiple downtown groups to apply for the same funding source.

 

Upon further discussion, it was noted that the proposal met the goals that the LCAC wished to meet and the effort that was started with the proposed NEA grant.  With the proposal, an Arts District would be created and an event, Final Fridays, would begin.  It was also noted that the effort had the support of the Lawrence Arts Center, the Convention & Visitors’ Bureau and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, amongst others.  DLI would serve as the administrator of the funding and work in concert with these groups. 

 

Commissioner Porsch made a motion that the LCAC approve $10,000 to launch the Downtown Lawrence Arts District initiative.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Craig.  The motion was passed unanimously.  Commissioner Pennington abstained.

 

Commissioner Craig made a motion that the grant to establish the Downtown Lawrence Arts District be administered by Downtown Lawrence, Inc.  Commissioner Lamb seconded the motion.  The motion was passed unanimously.  Commissioner Pennington abstained.

 

There was enthusiasm expressed about this initiative. Ms. Stoddard recommended that the City Commission receive a recommendation regarding this item on a future consent agenda since it involved the carryover funds from the 2009 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, which was not completed.  During the time that the funds were carried forward in late 2009, it was indicated at that time that the carryover funds would go to another grant round and most recently, the funds were to go to match the NEA grant, if successful.  Everyone agreed that the item should go to the City Commission.  Once it was approved by the City Commission, a news release could be made by the City announcing the grant and the initiative. 

 

Website:

Ms. Stoddard reported that the merger of the former Arts Commission website to the City was in progress and underway.  She would report to the group when it was completed and requested that everyone forward her any comments related to the website.

 

Phoenix Awards:

Commissioner Craig reported that the subcommittee met.  The subcommittee recommended the following: Call for nominations to go out around June 15 with the deadline for nominations set for August 27th.  This new timeframe would allow consideration of the nominations at the September LCAC meeting and provide more time between the award decisions and the ceremony.  She reported that the budget was reviewed and would generally remain the same and recommended that the same designer be used for the Outdoor Sculpture brochure would be used to design the invitation and program for the Phoenix Awards this year.  She indicated that the nomination instruction form was sufficient, but that there was a desire to change the title from instructions to “form”.  When it would be sent out, it was requested to have the actual instructions in the text of the e-mail, rather than a link.  The group was working to revise the mailing list for the Phoenix Awards.  It was decided that there was a desire to choose an artist for the 2011 Phoenix Awards this fall at the September meeting.  Commissioners were asked to bring their ideas for artists to the September meeting.  That would allow the artist for 2011 to be announced during the 2010 ceremony.  Everyone was supportive of these plans. 

 

Announcements from the Chair:

Commissioner Kelly requested that the LCAC master calendar be updated to reflect the new schedule for the Phoenix Awards and that the calendar be reviewed in August. 

 

Commissioner Kelly reported that there was no list of former Cultural Arts Commissioners maintained by the City.  It was requested that Commissioners continue to seek people who would be interested in serving on the LCAC. 

 

Outdoor Sculpture Committee:

The reception is set for June 12 at 5:30 pm at the Lawrence Arts Center.  Other details regarding the reception and exhibition were discussed. 

 

Commissioner Pennington indicated that a Ford Foundation Grant called “Spaces for Change” was out and that her idea was to pursue a sculpture garden on the property to the north of the Lawrence Arts Center, which would also enable the expansion of the LAC in the future.  She indicated that she would pass the information along to Commissioner Porsch.

 

The 2008 and 2009 Art Grant reports were discussed.  It was suggested that the arts grants reports be added as a regular item to the master calendar for August.  Additionally, it was suggested that the information for the grants next year be updated with a question about whether the applicant had completed any required annual reports from prior grants from the LCAC. 

 

Commissioner Craig made a motion to accept the reports for 2008 and 2009 and note where some reports were missing.  Commissioner Pennington seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

Roundtable:

Commissioner Pennington reported that there was a meeting and there were over 500 people in attendance at the first downtown film this year.  Additionally, the Busker Fest will be held again August 20-22.  There will be no roundtable meeting in July, but the topic at the August meeting will be the Downtown Lawrence Arts District.

 

Arts Center:

Commissioner White said there was no Lawrence Arts Center report.  Commissioner Pennington indicated that their 35th anniversary celebration was being held on June 12.  Commissioner White indicated that he would work to set a meeting with the Arts Center in advance of the August meeting.

 

Staff report:

Ms. Stoddard distributed the May budget report.  She also reported that the City Manager would be recommending that the budget for the LCAC be set for $23,000 for 2011 as part of his recommended budget.  She believed that this reduction could be absorbed and that programming could remain at the same levels.  An example was the Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, which was budgeted for $13,500 was coming in this year around $10,000. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm