City of Lawrence
Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission (LCAC)
June 8, 2011 minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mandy Lamb, Jane Pennington, Kathy Porsch, Sarah Harris, Lori Madaus
MEMBERS ABSENT: Susan Craig, Christie Dobson, Darin White, Mari Russell, Amy Kelly
STAFF PRESENT: Diane Stoddard
Commissioner Porsch called the meeting to order.
May Minutes were approved.
There was not a quorum present.
Opening Forum: There was no one present to discuss the impact of elimination of the Kansas Arts Commission.
Unfinished Business:
Display cabinet for the Phoenix Awards at the Lawrence Arts Center: The cost proposal for this was reviewed. However, a quorum was lacking for formal consideration of the expenditure.
Other: Possibility of having a retreat for the LCAC sometime in late July was discussed. This could be a special meeting to consider the authorization of the display cabinet expenditure and also serve as a retreat for the group. Ms. Stoddard was asked to check availability for the last two Saturdays in July.
New Business:
Receive Transient Guest Tax Information: Ms. Stoddard shared the staff memo and background materials regarding guest tax. It was reported that the current revenue related to the 6% guest tax was fully allocated. The mechanism to consider increasing the guest tax was discussed. Ms. Stoddard indicated that there were many stakeholders related to this funding source. It was suggested that a discussion with DMI regarding this funding source be scheduled.
Other: There was a question regarding a mural that has been placed on the Percolator building and why it didn’t follow the mural process. Ms. Stoddard responded that there was no sign permit issued for this location. She would ask staff to investigate.
Arts Grants: Commissioner Porsch initiated discussion regarding the grant program. Removal of the $1000 limit on grant requests was discussed. There appeared to be support for this and also to make sure that the application materials listed the total amount of grant funding available and the average grant of $1000. There was also discussion regarding the eligibility of individual artists. Commissioner Lamb indicated that she favored only organizations being eligible. Commissioner Pennington concurred. Commissioner Porsch said that she would like to have a grant workshop again based upon the overall quality of proposals this year. Partnerships with other entities on this idea was also discussed. Commissioner Porsch said she would explore this possibility.
Outdoor Downtown Sculpture: Commissioner Pennington reported that the opening reception would be held on Sunday, June 12 at 4 pm at the Carnegie.
Lawrence Arts Center: Commissioner Porsch reported that she met with Susan Tate and plans to have regular monthly meetings with her. She reported that there had been some reorganization at the Arts Center. Also, she reported that the Arts Center was on sound financial footing. The first artist in residence has been hired. Commissioner Porsch also reported that she had been contacted by a representative of the Sister Cities group regarding an artist exchange related to Japan. Commissioner Porsch also reported that Susan Tate had indicated that she was supportive of the effort of hiring a full-time staff person at the City.
Phoenix Awards: Commissioner Lamb reported that the solicitation of nominations would be sent out next week. Selections would be made in September with the award ceremony on November 6. She was encouraging all Cultural Arts Commissioners to commit to contacting 5 people to encourage nominations this year. Various strategies to better publicize nominations were discussed. Commissioner Lamb indicated that she would like to develop a slide presentation for this year’s ceremony to show the artists work. There was also a desire to have another speaker for this year’s ceremony.
Arts Roundtable: Commissioner Pennington passed around a new national Heritage Area map, showing Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.
Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Pennington wanted to make a comment related to the Percent for Art Program. She reported that the City will at sometime in the future be building a wastewater treatment plant and suggested that rather than the Percent for Art funds be dedicated to that project, that dedication to another more visible and accessible location be considered. Ms. Stoddard said that there would be future City Commission discussion regarding the plant, and the timing, and any amount related to Percent for Art. Ms. Pennington mentioned support for having art commissioned for the new Theatre Lawrence facility and that if funding were committed as part of a pledge, the funds could go to meet the match required by Theatre Lawrence’s Mabee Foundation grant. She noted that pledges for the Maybee Foundation grant must be made by the fall or the challenge grant would be lost. Commissioner Pennington was requested to put some talking points together on this for the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:20 pm.