HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-27 Arts Culture Commission MinutesDraft Minutes ☐
Approved Minutes ☒
Approved Date: 8/24/2017
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Arts and Culture Commission
Edina Art Center Studio 14
July 27, 2017
4:30 p.m.
I. Call To Order
Chair Anne Miller called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Stella Chaffee, Douglas Hegley, Heather Isaacs, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller and Russ Rubin
and Steve Suckow.
Commissioners Absent: Susan Chandler, Cheryl Gunness.
Student Commissioners Absent: Jane Howe and Mollie Mertes.
Staff Present: Michael Frey, General Manager, Edina Art Center.
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Suckow with a second by Commissioner Rubin to approve the
meeting agenda as amended to strike Item IV, Approval of Minutes. Motion carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
A. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting Minutes
V. Community Comment
No community members were present.
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A. 2017 Work Plan – Initiative 1 – Feasibility of a New Art Center
Commissioner Hegley gave a brief review of the draft letter to Council written by Commissioners Chandler and
Hegley. The letter is in response to Initiative 1 of the 2017 Arts & Culture Commission Work Plan-Feasibility
for a New Art Center. A copy of the letter was circulated electronically prior to the meeting. The Commission
offered comments.
Commissioner Meifert reported on a 2002 Rand Corporation Report by Kevin Murphy stating the Mechanisms
of Arts Impact – Economic, Cultural and Social. The report talks about how a strong arts presence has the
potential to bring people from outside to an area, and the social capital an arts center offers and the added
benefit to the community. In addition, companies that support the arts are highly respected.
Draft Minutes ☐
Approved Minutes ☒
Approved Date: 8/24/2017
Commissioner Chaffee stated there is a disadvantage for people moving to Edina if there is less of a focus on the
arts. Commissioner Isaacs asked about any discussion on artist work/live spaces.
All members were very grateful to Susan Chandler and Douglas Hegley for their work on the draft letter.
B. Site Visit – White Bear Center for the Arts
Commissioners Miller and Suckow and Staff Liaison Frey visited the White Bear Center for the Arts earlier in
the day.
Member Suckow reported that the White Bear Center for the Arts is a 501(c) 3, and was a former warehouse
space with low visibility. The building was demolished for $750,000 and re-built for 3.5 million. Peter Kramer
was the architect hired to create a beautiful renovation in partnership with artist Kinji Akagawa who was
consulted on outdoor spaces including a labyrinth. The building has three multi-purpose classrooms, a
multipurpose gallery that is plumbed with a vitrine cover on wheels. It is a delightful space; light, airy with high
ceilings and lots of outdoor space, a community oven and class to build community oven, and a library with gas
fireplace.
The Center saw an 82% increase in participation once the new building opened. There is a vibrant space for
cultural activities, the building is near downtown White Bear Lake and the community can grow with a
prominent, visible location. A community theater is being planned for the adjacent vacant lot.
Commissioner Miller noted that the grounds are beautifully landscaped with space for outdoor programming.
The center is an independent 501(c) 3 with no relationship with the city. They have one FTE development
director, a core group of donors over the long term and 160 volunteers. The building is located one block from
the high school, two blocks from the middle school, and four blocks from the elementary school.
Commissioners Meifert and Rubin will visit the Minnetonka Center for the Arts on Friday, and Commissioners
Chaffee and Gunness will visit Artistry in Bloomington on Monday, July 31.
VII. Correspondence and Petitions
None received.
VII. Chair and Member Comments
None voiced.
VIII. Staff Comments
Staff Liaison Frey spoke about the 2018 Arts & Culture Commission Work Plan.
IX. Adjournment
Commissioner Chaffee motioned to adjourn with a second by Commissioner Rubin. Motion
carried.
The July 2017 Arts & Culture Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:23 p.m.