Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission (LCAC) Meeting             October 13, 2010

Attendees: Jane Pennington, Amy Kelly, Christie Dobson, Kathy Porsch; Mandy Lamb; Sarah Harris; Susan Craig; Darin White; Diane Stoddard

Guests from the Lawrence Arts Center: Susan Tate & Bob Treanor

1.       September minutes approved.

2.       Consideration of Mural Proposal for the Lawrence Arts Center (LAC): Susan Tate spoke on behalf of the creation of a mural on the north wall of the LAC. The proposed design by Callahan Creek  artists would be a large abstract reflecting the architectural elements on the building’s façade; the work would be done by volunteer painters under the direction of Bob Treanor. The mural would not be permanent due to construction on the adjacent lot or other mural designs might replace this one. Commissioner Pennington moved & Commissioner Porsch 2nd accepting the proposal and forwarding it to the City Commission. Passed.

3.       Support for the Arts & Artists: Commissioner White expressed his concern that although the Final Fridays effort is a good first step for LCAC support of Lawrence arts, we still need to find additional resources to invest in the arts in Lawrence. He has researched various programs in other towns including a Topeka project that is offering studio spaces to artists. He urged that LCAC investigate how Lawrence could offer artists studio space, grants, health care, tax incentives, residency programs, etc.  Commissioner Kelly called for volunteers to work on this effort. Commissioners Dobson and Porsch with advice from Commissioner White will chair a Task Force. They’ll ask artists and other interested stakeholders to brain-storming of how to fund the arts in Lawrence. No deadlines are established at this point and all commissioners were encouraged to send Dobson and Porsch names of potential participants.

4.       Phoenix Award changes: It has been difficult to get nominations for the Phoenix Awards the past few years so it may be time to make some changes. This year the schedule was altered, the list to whom solicitations were sent was revised, and the nomination form was simplified. The Phoenix Award Committee (Commissioners Craig, Lamb, Harris) made some specific suggestions:

a.       LCAC Commissioners be allowed to make nominations following the same procedures as the public

b.      LCAC Commissioners be asked to directly contact 5 people asking for nominations

c.       Efforts to better publicize & promote the awards be made

d.      The presentation ceremony will have a keynote speaker—likely a past Phoenix Award winner—and will incorporate a slide show of the winning artists’ work

        Additional suggestions were made and the possibility of identifying an Arts Laureate instead of giving awards was discussed. Commissioner Pennington moved and Commissioner Dobson 2nd accepting the suggestions from the Phoenix Award Committee. Passed. If the low number of nominations remains a concern, LCAC may need to consider additional changes. 

5.       Outdoor Sculpture—The committee (Commissioners Pennington, Madaus, White) will meet soon to review procedures and determine a process for selecting a juror   

6.       Grants: The Committee (Commissioners Porsch, Kelly, Harris) distributed procedures & guidelines they’ve drafted to be used next year. One significant change is that organizations are no longer limited to submitting only one application.  

7.       Phoenix Awards: The Committee (Commissioners Craig, Lamb, Harris) are working on a draft of procedures but want to have the entire cycle of the award before presenting them to LCAC;  the award presentation ceremony is planned and  Ann Evans has accepted an invitation to be the keynote speaker on the topic of the Arts in Lawrence; LCAC will need to select the artist to make the 2011 awards at our January meeting.

8.       RoundTable liaison (Commissioner Pennington) —The main theme at the recent meeting was  encouraging arts activities for Kansas Sesquicentennial. She distributed various flyers and brochures regarding upcoming events.   

9.       Liaison to LAC (Commissioner White)—A recent conversation with Susan Tate revealed an active schedule of exhibitions and events coming up including ceramics shows opening  this weekend and artists-in-residency arriving.

10.   Commissioner Items:

a.       Final Friday report: Commissioner Pennington reported that a meeting of stake-holders in the Final Fridays events will discuss establishing  criteria for participation; do venues need to offer something other than usual stock in order to display a Final Fridays flag? The next date is Oct. 29 which will start at 6pm with the presentation to the city of an award naming Massachusetts Street as a top ten street in America followed by a group from KU doing a flash mob to Thriller.

b.      Commissioner positions: Commissioner Kelly noted that we have two current vacancies and one commissioner whose term ends in January so finding quality volunteers who could add new expertise to the commissioner is desirable. Commissioner Pennington indicated that she would be willing to be reappointed for a second term.

c.       AT&T Directory: A competition for a photographer to capture the Final Friday scene on  Massachusetts is underway with the photograph to appear on the next directory; the award is for recognition without  pay      

d.      The November LCAC meeting will be changed from Nov. 10 to Nov. 17 with the location to be announced.