City of Lawrence

Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission

January 9, 2013

 

Members present:   Patrick Kelly- Chair, Kathy Porsch, Mandy Enfield Jane Pennington, Eric Kirkendall, Patrick Kelly, Grace Peterson, Richard Renner Katherine Simmons, John Hachmeister

 

Members absent:      Christie Dobson

 

Also present:          Diane Stoddard- city liaison, Susan Tate, Douglas County Commissioner Nancy Thellman, Emily Kotay, Leslie Soden

 

 

The meeting was called order. Richard Renner moved to approve the December minutes, seconded by John Hachmeister.  Minutes unanimously approved.

 

Susan Tate discussed the Lawrence Arts Center's concept about a cultural arts district.  She explained that a number of years ago, the NEA began to discuss concepts about creative place-making.  She indicated that the Arts Center has been discussing ways to have an impact on Lawrence in a very broad way.  Upon examination of what many arts granting organizations require, she noticed questions about how the proposal fit in with the community’s cultural plan or more broadly into the community’s cultural assets.  She believes that Lawrence has many cultural assets, perhaps more than many communities that have cultural plans.  The concept is a cultural district that doesn’t create a level of bureaucracy, but that would be more like a brand, capturing the idea that this is the place that many things happened- historical events, cultural events, etc. 

 

The current status is that there is a letter that has been signed by 40 individuals/organizations that support the concept.  The letter indicates certain priorities such as well-connected pathways, well-lit pathways, pedestrian connectivity, connection of the Burroughs Creek Trail to the bridge and north Lawrence.  Ms. Tate indicated that one of the groups that this has been discussed with is the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association, which at this time has not signed onto the letter.  The group is still discussing the concept. 

 

Kathy Porsch asked about the warehouse arts district.  Ms. Tate indicated that the warehouse arts district came about to designate some activities happening along one block. 

 

Ms. Tate indicated that the concerns expressed by the East Lawrence Neighborhod Asociation (ELNA) were related to displacement and gentrification of the neighborhood.  She indicated that the Arts Center was meeting with Tenants to Homeowners to discuss possibility of housing for artists. 

 

Patrick Kelly said that her explanation was very helpful if the LCAC were asked to weigh in on this topic. 

 

There was a question about the proposed boundaries of the district and John Hachmeister indicated that he had signed the letter since he owns property within the proposed area.  Ms. Tate indicated that the district is proposed to encompass east Lawrence, to 15th Street, to Vermont.  Eric Kirkendall mentioned that he signed the letter and owns property within the proposed district.  He supported a vision for East Lawrence that would support better sidewalks, lighting, etc.  Several expressed concerns about gentrification and maintaining the current socio-economic mix of the East Lawrence area.  Ms. Tate was asked about what could go wrong and she indicated that the concept could languish due to lack of leadership or the amount of time elapsing during which consensus is attempted to be reached.  Ms. Tate indicated that gentrification was already happening in the area. 

 

Commissioner Thellman indicated that she wanted to be sensitive to East Lawrence and also the County Commission was supportive of the cultural assets of the community.  She mentioned that possibly the cultural district could apply for funding through the county’s heritage grant program. 

 

Mr. Kelly asked everyone to review the committees.  Ms. Enfield indicated that she was having a difficult time attending the roundtable meetings.  Kathy Porsch will be the liaison to the roundtable and will let others know if she can’t attend.  Patrick Kelly will be the liaison to the Arts Center.  Mandy Enfield will be on the Nominating Committee.  It was noted that Grace Peterson is the vice chair of the Outdoor Sculpture Committee.  

 

Mr. Kelly opened up a dialogue about the retreat.  Topics were mentioned:  cultural district, better strategy on getting the city more behind the arts.  Mr. Kelly indicated his desire to focus on the locus of control- the current budget and the requested budget for 2014.   Mr. Kelly indicated desire to use faction-mapping at the retreat to identify stakeholders around an issue.  It was decided to focus on the cultural district topic and budget and for each member to give a brief background about themselves. 

 

It was reported that the grant information will be out soon.  An idea of having a grant workshop was discussed, which Ms. Porsh would coordinate. 

 

Dr. Hachmeister reported that the announcement on the Downtown Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition would be out tomorrow. 

 

Ms. Peterson reported that there would be a meeting tomorrow on the library percent for art project.

 

Ms. Peterson reported that she met with representatives of the Percolator and reported on upcoming activities.

 

Mr. Kelly reported that the Souza band event next week brings in 250 kids from around the state to the Lied Center. 

 

Mr. Kirkendall thanked the group as he will be stepping down.  The group thanked him for his work. 

 

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:35 pm.