HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-22 Arts Culture Commission MinutesEdina Arts and Culture Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Edina City Hall Community Room
October 22, 2015
4:30 P.M.
I. Call to Order
Mr. Frey advised the Arts and Culture Commission meetings are now being recorded. Vice Chair Miller called
the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Cheryl Gunness, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Daniel Li, Anne Miller, Kitty O’Dea,
and Steve Suckow.
Commissioners Absent: Kandace Ellis and Ray Meifert.
Staff Present: Michael Frey, General Manager, Edina Art Center; and, MJ Lamon, Project Coordinator and
Human Rights & Relations Commission Staff Liaison.
Students Representatives Present: Olivia Chen and Farhia Osman.
III. Introductions
A. New Student Representatives Olivia Chen and Farhia Osman
Vice Chair Miller welcomed Student Representatives Olivia Chen and Farhia Osman. At the invitation of Vice
Chair Miller, each Commissioner, student representatives, and staff members introduced themselves and
described their interests and work tasks.
IV. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Vice Chair Miller noted the meeting agenda had been circulated and asked if there were requests for additions
or changes. No additions to the agenda voiced.
Motion by Commissioner Suckow and seconded by Commissioner La Valleur that the Arts and Culture
Commission approve the October 22, 2015 Agenda as presented.
Ayes: Cheryl Gunness, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Daniel Li, Anne Miller, Kitty O’Dea, and Steve Suckow.
Motion carried.
V. Adoption of Consent Agenda
B. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting of August 27, 2015
C. General Manager’s Report
D. Music in Edina
E. Public Art Edina
Vice Chair Miller asked if there were changes or corrections to the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August
27, 2015. No changes voiced.
Motion by Commissioner Suckow and seconded by Commissioner O’Dea that the Arts and Culture
Commission approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Ayes: Cheryl Gunness, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Daniel Li, Anne Miller, Kitty O’Dea, and Steve Suckow.
Motion carried.
VI. Community Comment
No comments made.
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. Human Rights & Relations Commission Report – Chair Pat Arseneault and Liaison MJ
Lamon
Human Rights & Relations Commission (HR&RC) Chair Pat Arseneault explained that the Edina HR&RC has
been talking about what is occurring at the Minnesota Capitol relating to its renovation and what will happen
with the art at the Capitol. She explained that an Eden Prairie Human Rights representative asked whether the
Edina HR&RC was interested in attending their meeting with Healing Minnesota Stories, a group that promotes
healing between Native American and Non-native Minnesotans. They are also involved in the Capitol
renovation as its art currently tells a narrow history of the State, most of the artwork is from the 1900’s when
the Capitol was built, some is offensive to Native Americans, and is not historically accurate or reflect the
State’s diversity.
HR&RC Chair Arseneault stated a discussion is now underway on what to do with this artwork, which is under
the auspices of the Minnesota Historical Society. The Minnesota Historical Society has indicated the Capitol is
not a museum and maybe the art should be located elsewhere. The goal of Healing Minnesota Stories is to
raise awareness, influence what will happen with the art, and how the Capitol will look after renovation.
HR&RC Chair Arseneault stated the Eden Prairie Human Rights representative indicated they would like to
jointly issue a statement supporting the Healing Minnesota Stories petition. The Healing Minnesota Stories
petition is putting these changes forward: 1. Remove offensive, traumatizing paintings from the Capitol,
including The Discoverers and Civilizers Led to the Source of the Mississippi, Father Hennepin Discovering the
Falls of St. Anthony, the Signing of the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, and The Battle of Kildeer Mountain; 2. Find
a new home for the Capitol art that is removed, where it can be remembered and interpreted; 3. Better
interpret the Capitol’s remaining historic art, preferably with interactive touch screens; 4. Provide more in-depth
training for Capitol tour guides on the art’s history and meaning; and, 5. Add new Capitol art that reflects and
honors Minnesota’s current ethnic and cultural diversity.
HR&RC Chair Arseneault stated they will take up this issue next Tuesday and decide whether to sign a joint
letter with area Human Rights Commissions. She asked the Arts and Culture Commission to consider whether
it would be supportive to sign the Healing Minnesota Stories petition.
Commissioner La Valleur asked if there is a budget to purchase new art for the Capitol. HR&RC Chair
Arseneault stated she is unsure whether the Minnesota State Capitol Preservation Art Subcommittee was asked
to look into budget questions.
Commissioner O’Dea stated while this is a worthy cause for the HR&RC; she does not find that it fits with the
Arts and Culture Commission’s mission.
Commissioner La Valleur stated she has long considered that the Capitol artwork could be offensive to Native
Americans and thinks it would be all right to show a vote of support for the consideration.
Vice Chair Miller asked if the Arts and Culture Commission is being asked to sign the petition. HR&RC Chair
Arseneault stated her intent tonight was to provide information and ask whether the Arts and Culture
Commission would want to look into appropriate replacement art that reflects the State and its diversity.
Mr. Frey stated this will be considered by the HR&RC on Tuesday. HR&RC Chair Arseneault stated that is
correct and noted the HR&RC has been on record to support the mission of Healing Minnesota Stories. She
explained this group is an outgrowth of St. Paul Interfaith Network and has teamed with elementary schools on
specific projects relating to the view of Native Americans.
HR&RC Staff Liaison Lamon stated they also partnered with Ms. USA who has been using the Capitol art
initiative to help them get publicity and awareness. She explained the City is discovering there is overlap
between Boards and Commissions so all of the Chairs and Liaisons will be meeting together to talk about their
plans and how to best work together. Mr. Frey stated that meeting is Monday, October 26, 2015, scheduled for
two hours, and will be led by City Manager Scott Neal.
Vice Chair Miller thanked HR&RC Chair Arseneault for providing this information.
Novus Software Training
Project Coordinator Lamon explained the City is moving towards a paperless system so future Arts and Culture
Commission meeting packets will be available through a Novus portal. She provided training on Novus, an
agenda management software program, and interactive component whereby Commissioners can insert notes.
Project Coordinator Lamon answered questions of the Commissioners.
Mr. Frey stated the Commission’s agenda has been in the same format for many years but with Novus,
approval of the meeting minutes will no longer be included within the Consent Agenda.
Project Coordinator Lamon described how Commissioners will receive notice when the meeting packet is
available for review.
B. Grandview ‘Strawman’ for the Performing Arts – Chair Meifert
Mr. Frey stated the report is specific to the performing arts; however, conversations are ongoing relating to
what the arts in entirety will look like at Grandview. He read the five selected areas identified in Chair Meifert’s
report and stated the assumption is that the performance space at Grandview will be a flexible 300-seat
theater. In addition, the Chair proposes to establish a board of directors to assure the space is properly
managed. Mr. Frey stated there have been ten years of conversations about this 3.3 acre Grandview site but
significant progress is now being made and the programming of the space will be considered in the next six
months, of which he will be an active participant.
Mr. Frey indicated Mr. George Sutton has reviewed Chair Meifert’s report and the intention is that eventually it
will be forwarded along with all the documents to Parks & Recreation. He encouraged Commissioners to send
him a message if they’d like to see any changes made to this information.
Commissioner O’Dea asked about an Arts Center. Mr. Frey stated that question was also raised by Vice Chair
Miller and while it goes without saying, perhaps, reference should be added.
Commissioner O’Dea asked whether identifying five selected areas will be considered as being focused or as
being a lot to take on. She stated she viewed it as a significant list. Mr. Frey stated that is a point well taken, as
it is a broad scope. Commissioner O’Dea stated there could be mention of flexibility to handle those
endeavors.
Vice Chair Miller asked Mr. Frey to include the Art Center in the Commission’s vision of Grandview.
Commissioner Gunness asked if it is considered to be part of the performing theater. Mr. Frey stated he will
look at the wording so it is more specific.
Commissioner La Valleur stated Commissioner O’Dea makes a good point and she agrees the same thing is
needed for the Art Center and other aspects, making this one piece of a five-part consideration. Mr. Frey
advised that some of those parts have already been written.
Vice Chair Miller stated the first part is the inclusive idea of a new performing arts center and then this report
narrows it down to just the theater component. Mr. Frey agreed the focus is only on the theater but the
comments made are well taken so he will relay that information to Chair Meifert.
Commissioner La Valleur provided an explanation of this consideration and description of the location to the
Student Representatives. Vice Chair Miller suggested they also be provided with the written reports.
C. Communication & Website – Commissioner O’Dea
Commissioner O’Dea described her work to create a community events arts and culture calendar. She reviewed
the primary objective to communicate what is going on in the community. Commissioner O’Dea stated the
survey asked what information should be included in an arts and culture website. The responses were a
calendar of events, help in donations, volunteer, things sponsored by the City, things that happen in the City.
She presented a website page design that could be used as a model and refined over time to make it more
sophisticated.
Commissioner O’Dea stated the initial feedback from Communications and Technology Services Director
Jennifer Bennerotte is that the City is disciplined in what goes on its website to assure it is high quality and can
be managed. She stated she will be working with Ms. Bennerotte since this website has a broader objective
and will include non-City sponsored events.
Commissioner La Valleur stated she met with Commissioner Ellis and Vice Chair Miller on the website and
contacted the Edina Community Foundation about their new website that did not cost them anything. She
stated her understanding that BuildYourSite.com builds the website, gets the domain name, and then manages
it.
Commissioner Gunness agreed there are resources to create a website for free or at a low cost.
Vice Chair Miller asked whether the Arts and Culture Commission can have an independent website.
Commissioner O’Dea stated she will raise that question with Ms. Bennerotte along with who will update the
site. She stated she will provide a report on that meeting to Mr. Frey.
Mr. Frey explained that the Music in Edina Working Group has discussed using some of its resources to have an
intern staffed at the Edina Art Center who will accumulate information to post to a website.
Commissioner O’Dea displayed a poster created by artist Adam Turman that was commissioned by the St. Louis
Park Chamber of Commerce and sold for $25 each as a fundraiser for the Meadowbrook Cooperative. She
suggested this type of poster could be created for Edina and used for a fundraiser.
D. Ways & Means Report – Commissioner Miller
Vice Chair Miller stated they met and talked about soliciting donations with focus to collect data on 25
businesses located in Edina. She stated Chair Meifert has indicated he is very willing and eager to do some
fundraising along those lines so they will be gathering information to provide direction and create momentum.
They also discussed grant writing opportunities.
Commissioner La Valleur stated there are a lot of wealthy companies headquartered in Edina. Vice Chair Miller
agreed, noting there are local, national, and international companies.
VIII. Correspondence and Petitions
Vice Chair Miller asked if there was any correspondence or petitions. None voiced.
IX. Chair and Board Commissioner Comments
Commissioner La Valleur announced the Promanade is open and fabulous. She stated the Public Art Edina
Working Group voted on the next art wrap utility box for the southwest corner of 50th and Wooddale. The
back side would be visible from the Veterans Memorial and the front side from St. Stephen’s Church. Because
there was a tie vote within the Public Art Working Group, Mr. Frey suggested the Art and Culture Commission
vote to break the tie.
Commissioner La Valleur displayed colored graphics of the two top vote getters, one depicting a robot and one
a nature scene. Commissioner Gunness stated her support of the robot wrap but concern with this location so
she would support the other option.
Following a show of hands, 3 votes were cast for the robot design and 5 votes were cast for the nature scene.
It was noted that all of the entries will be saved for future locations.
Mr. Frey provided a handout from City Manager Neal describing the best way for advisory Boards and
Commissions to communicate with City Council.
Commissioner O’Dea informed the Commission of a recent About Town article indicating that due to lower
profits at Edina’s liquor store there is potential for an 8% property tax increase. She noted that the liquor store
also funds the Edina Art Center, in part.
Commissioner Gunness stated at the last meeting there was discussion of the Art on the Go Subcommittee.
She stated she is prepared to chair that group and will soon be calling a meeting.
Commissioner Gunness announced that TEDxEdina, an independently organized TED event, will be on
Saturday, October 24, 2015, at the Edina Community Center, and tickets are sold out. The talks will be
videotaped and uploaded to the TEDxEdina website. Vice Chair Miller congratulated Commissioner Gunness
on this accomplishment.
Commissioner La Valleur stated she attended the France 71 opening and recommended all stop in to view this
beautiful art gallery.
X. Staff Comments
No comments.
XI. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Suckow and seconded by Commissioner La Valleur that the Arts and Culture
Commission adjourn the meeting at 5:51p.m.
Ayes: Cheryl Gunness, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Daniel Li, Anne Miller, Kitty O’Dea, and Steve Suckow.
Motion carried.