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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09-17 Arts Culture Commission MinutesEDINA ART CENTER BOARD 7:30 a.m. September 19, 1991 Edina Art Center MEMBERS PRESENT: James Van Valkenburg, Sandra Clark, Don Peddie, Elizabeth Eisenbrey, Peter R. Spokes, Art Dickey, Merry Krueger, Dodie Paul, Suzie Kelm, Dee Dege MEMBERS ABSENT: Charlotte Scanlon STAFF PRESENT: Diana Hedges, Mollie Paulson, Bob Kojetin, Janet Canton I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:33 a.m. II. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 22, 1991 MINUTES Peter R. Spokes MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 22, 1991 MINUTES. Don Peddie SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. III. DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Finance - Mr. Peddie commented that he found the numbers did not correlate on the two sheets of the financial statements. Ms. Hedges informed him that the weekly recap was for September 9th and the income and expense report was for the end of July. The numbers will not match because of the dates. Mr. Spokes commented on the idea of raising revenues by sending out a general donation letter to members and donors. He feels this should only be done if we know we will be short of funds otherwise, he feels this should not he done. Mr. Spokes also commented that if a letter is sent out it would be better to send it out in late November rather than October. Ms. Hedges asked if this would affect the Foundation's letter that will he going out. It was noted that it probably would not. There are different mailing lists and people have different interests. Mr. Van Valkenburg suggested that after October a realistic predication be made if a letter needs to go out. Ms. Hedges did comment that a solicitation letter has not been sent out in three years. Ms. Hedges also noted another way to raise revenues is through membership cards. There a few people who have not renewed in the last six months who should be renewing. Possibly another letter should he sent out with different wording. Ms. Dege noted that she is not always good at sending things back on time. She stated that the Art Center loses money when people do not turn in their renewal memberships on time. Ms. Eisenbrey and Ms. Hedges will work on rewording the renewal membership letter. B. Gift Shop - Ms. Paulson stated that the gift shop sales are way up but the gallery sales are down. All of the galleries around town are having the same problem with sales being down. Ms. Krueger indicated she does not know where some of the prices came from on the paintings for the Juried Show. She felt if you purchase a major art piece you have to really love it since they are so expensive, and art is a major investment, Mr. Kojetin asked if certain items sell better than others. Ms. Paulson noted that they sell a lot of jewelry and pottery. Paintings around the $200.00 range or less sell better than higher priced paintings. Ms. Paulson also noted that the Art Center's prices are less than the galleries downtown. The Art Center's consignments are also usually less than other galleries. Ms. Paulson pointed out that there have been a lot of galleries closing in the past year. Ms. Paulson feels that with the way the economy is now, art tends to he the first place people cut back. Ms. Hedges informed the Board there are ongoing exhibits at the Braemar Ice Arena and at the Community Center. All paintings now hanging at the Art Center are with the Juried Show. C. Volunteers - Art Dickey MOVED TO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE CONTRIBUTIONS BY MARION WARD AS VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR FOR THE PAST YEAR. Sandra Clark SECONDED THE MOTION, MOTION CARRIED. D. Arti-Gras - Ms. Hedges indicated that this is a joint project between the Edina Art Center and the Federated Women's Club. She asked everyone to officially sign up for a committee for this event. There are 35 volunteers from the Federated Women's Club. She stated we need to do our part in this event. There will be a split in the profits and it is hoped our share will be approximately $12,000 - $13,000. Ms. Hedges asked the Board to give her any updates on addresses as soon as possible. There is a lot of data entry that needs to be done. E. Celebrity Artarama - Ms. Hedges pointed out the wall where the celebrities art is on display right now. People have started to hid on the items. There will he autograph photographs of the celebrities available. F. Edinhorough Report - Ms. Paulson indicated that there will he a opening of David Nelson, photography 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Edinborough Park Gallery next month. G. Mailing - Ms. Hedges noted that she has sent out 220 brochures to different businesses to see if anyone is interested in advertising in the Art Center's class schedules. Ms. Hedges asked the Board if they know of anyone who would be interested in advertising to let her know and she will send a brochure out to them. Mr. Spokes asked if the advertising rates were high? Ms. Hedges indicated that the rates are in the ball park with other advertising rates. Ms. Hedges stated that Ms. Paul just bought a $200.00 ad space. H. Grantwriting Ms. Dege commented on the grantwriting. She noted that the McKnight Foundation rejected their grant. She stated that they will be sending out more letters to other foundations. Ms. Dege indicated that this is a long term process. Mr. Spokes inquired what they are asking for from these different foundations? Ms. Paulson noted that from the Minnesota Arts Board they are focusing more on the gallery. Ms. Dege noted they received the wrong brochure from McKnight and if they had known that, they would have written the letter differently. There are so many facets of the arts that you need to know what the foundation's guidelines are. Mr. Peddie noted that sometimes if you ask for something unusual you may have a better chance of getting the funds. This way, not everyone around is asking for the same thing. I. Jane Zins Riffey - Ms. Hedges reminded the board members that the reception for Jane Zins Riffey is September 19th at the Centennial Lakes Centrum Building. She is expecting that approximately 80 - 100 people will be attending. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 a.m.