City of Lawrence

Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission

January 12, 2011 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Susan Craig, Eric Dobbins, Christie Dobson, Sarah Harris, Amy Kelly, Mandy Lamb, Jane Pennington, Kathy Porsch (Chair), Diane Stoddard, Darin White

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Lori Madaus

STAFF PRESENT:

Diane Stoddard

PUBLIC PRESENT:

 

 

Minutes from the December 8, 2010 meeting were approved.

 

Arts Sustainability Task Force: The RFP draft for hiring someone to provide an independent, professional analysis of the arts-related economy in Lawrence, sufficient to form the foundation for the development of a long-term arts sustainability strategic plan was distributed before the meeting for review. The timeline in the RFP has been extended to assure that the work can be completed. The RFP will need to be approved by the City Commission and posted on the city’s bids and proposals website through DemandStar. Once a hire is made, the person will be expected to investigate the local scene, consider the Report from the Retail Task Force, assemble appropriate data, look for models from other cities, and then prepare a report with recommendations. If creation of a position is recommended, the report should address how that position would be funded and administered.  Susan moved acceptance of the RFP, 2nd by Jane. Passed.     

 

Once the report is received, LCAC may want to have a retreat, possibly with guest consultants, to work on a Strategic Plan that incorporates the recommendations. The Strategic Plan could form the basis for a budget request to the City Commission to be considered for 2012 funding .

 

Committee membership for 2011: City Liaison Stoddard announced that there is a new interpretation regarding the number of members from a commission who can serve on committees or attend a meeting. Formerly it was a maximum of 3; now it is 5.

 

Executive Committee: Commissioner Porsch is Chair, Commissioner Kelly is Past Chair, Commissioner Pennington is Vice Chair, and Commissioner Craig is Secretary

 

Nominating Committee: Commissioner Craig is Chair and members will include Commissioners Dobson and Pennington

 

Phoenix Award Committee: Commissioner Lamb is chair and members will include Commissioners Kelly and Harris

 

Outdoor Sculpture Committee: Commissioner Pennington is Chair and members include Commissioners Dobbins, Madaus & White

 

Community Arts Grants Committee: Commissioner Porsch is Chair and members include Commissioners Dobbins and Harris

 

Arts Sustainability Task Force (Ad Hoc): Commissioner Dobson is Chair and members include Commissioners Pennington, Porsch and White

 

Fundraising and Grants (Ad Hoc): Commissioners Dobson and Porsch

 

Roundtable Liaison: Commissioner Pennington

 

Lawrence Arts Center Liaison: Commissioner White

 

Downtown Lawrence Arts District Liaison: Commissioner Pennington

 

Committee reports:

Phoenix Award: The committee is considering who to select as the 2011 Phoenix Award artist and will accepted nominations from commissioners. The committee expects to make a decision soon and report next meeting regarding an acceptance.  Commissioner Lamb will talk to the Lawrence Arts Center staff about the need for either a second case or a larger case to display the Phoenix awards.

 

Grants: The annual grant program has been announced and email solicitations sent to arts organizations throughout the community.  Applications are due March 28. LCAC members will have two weeks to read the applications before the April meeting when we will discuss and vote to award the grants.

 

Roundtable: The monthly Roundtable meeting is held at the Free State Brewery at noon on the 2nd Wednesday in the upstairs meeting room.

 

Lawrence Arts Center Liaison: Commissioner White reported on a full schedule of upcoming events at the arts center.

 

Downtown Lawrence Arts District: Commissioner Pennington agreed to continue as the LCAC liaison to this group. She reported that instructions for donating to sustaining Final Fridays in Lawrence are posted on the website, http://downtownlawrenceartsdistrict.org.

 

Old Business: LCAC still has an opening so we should encourage interested community members to complete an application. Applications are found on the City of Lawrence website under Advisory Boards, http://www.lawrenceks.org/advisory_board_volunteer.

New Business: Commissioner Craig suggested that the list of arts organizations solicited to apply for grants might be reviewed by the Grants Committee in the coming year to assure it is up-to-date and as complete as possible.

Commissioner Craig suggested that LCAC consider hiring a graphic designer each year to prepare all the applications, brochures, and invitations that the commission issues. This would create a cohesive graphic look for the year.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm. Next meeting will be on Feb. 9 at 7pm in the City Commission Room at City Hall.