HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-06-22 Arts Culture Commission MinutesEdina Art Center Board
June 22, 2000
Edina Art Center, 4:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Gene Andersen, Sandra Clark, Art Dickey, Liz Eisenbrey, Mike Kelly, Delores Paul and
Ruth Valgemae
Dolores Dege, Linda Kieffer, George Kuebler, and
Jim VanValkenburg
Diana Hedges, Phillip Johnson and John Keprios
I. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes for last month's meeting were read and approved.
III. MEDIA STUDIOS REPORT
Phil Johnson reported that enrollment in media classes continues to be very light. He is working with
city Communications Coordinator, Jennifer Wilkinson, to develop and publicize a series of open house
events designed to spotlight the various capabilities of the media studios. The initial events will happen
in late August and early September to boost participation in Fall classes.
Several board members had suggestions for open house topics including Trouble Shooting Your PC and
Shooting Photos of Your Pets.
IV. Federated Women's Club Report
Liz Eisenbrey reported that the Women's Club had donated $1,000 to the Art Center. Future availability
of grants is in question because the major fund raising source, Santa House, will no longer be done. Ms.
Eisenbrey asked why the Art Center was participating in the Edina Art Fair rather than doing its own
event, Art In the Park. Sandy Clark responded that Art In the Park had been a major effort with too little
financial return.
V. Juried Show Report
Ruth Valgemae reported that the Members" Juried Show will open in the Foss Gallery September 7th.
Judges have been lined up but additional sponsors are needed. Members were asked to submit names of
people or organizations as potential sponsors as soon as possible.
VI. Jerry's Food Store Outreach Exhibit
Ms. Hedges stated that Linda Kieffer had approached Jerry's Food Store and had reached an agreement
for an art center sponsored display series in the restaurant section of the Edina Store. The series will
include:
Through August 23rd George and Jean Kuebler
August 23-November 14 John Hoofer, Photography
November 15-Feb. 14- Dodo Paul, Pastels
February 15-May 14 Bradley W.M. Been, Fish Sculptures
May 15-September 14 Pat Greed, Oils
Linda has also arranged for an Art Center exhibit in the Edina Community Library starting July 5th
VII. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
A. Ms. Hedges reported that the pottery department had raised $2,879 from its Edina Art Fair sales.
Thanks to Brad Been and the enthusiastic group of pottery people for their hard work.
B. Ms. Hedges detailed the cooperative program she had negotiated with Craig Blackjack's mail order
business to raise funds for the Art Center. The catalog,
"Waters of Superior" sells very high quality merchandise — much of it handmade. The merchandise is
distinctly different from that sold in our gift shop. We will stamp Edina Art Center in each catalog
distributed. The commission will be 15% of all sales attributed to the Art Center.
B. Classes
We still have a few kid's camp openings and spaces in our adult classes for the summer.
C. Volunteer Luncheon
Once again, sincere thanks to Sandy Clark for the beautiful luncheon. Also, her generous funding for the
renovation of the gift shop and office area has made a huge difference for staff and customers. Every
day, people come in and comment on the beautiful carpeting and cabinetry.
D. Fourth of July Parade
Monica Sullivan ha's lined up an impressive Art Train concept for the Art Center participation in the
parade. The parade is scheduled for 10 am, with an EAC open house from 6:30 to 10:30 pm.
E. Black and White Exhibit
Beginning July 13, the OFS Gallery will feature a variety of works in black and white by photographers
Eric Johnson, Rebecca Sabot, Polly Norman and Geordie Griffiths. EAC potters will also show black
and white thumbed items.
F. A Night in the Country
Ms. Hedges gave an update that response had been very light to the planned fund raiser. She asked for
discussion as to whether the committee should go forward or cancel the event. Much of the discussion
centered around a perceived overload of charitable events conflicting with busy schedules during the
short Minnesota summer season. The Board voted to cancel the Night in the Country and to express
great appreciation to Jim and Sharon Hale for their generosity in offering to host the event.
A related discussion ensued around the need to do fund raising versus providing public funding
sufficient to support the arts in Edina. An example was cited in which Bloomington had just approved
public funding in the amount of 7.5 million to build a new Arts facility. That facility is not expected to
be self-supporting; tax dollars will be used for the foreseeable future. Another example was the
Minnetonka Arts Center which raises approximately $40,000 through several fund raising drives and
events entirely run by its board members.
In response to questions, Mr. Keprios stated that the philosophy in Edina is that the Park and Recreation
Enterprises, such as golf courses and ice rinks as well as those like the Art Center, strive to be self-
supporting. Currently, some are very profitable while others are not. The Art Center, historically, has
required small yearly subsidies while a couple of other enterprises have required larger annual
contributions from the surpluses generated by profitable enterprises.
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Mr. Kelly suggested a reasonable expectation was to strive for break-even or better but not to dig a
financial hole. He offered to lead a financial analysis to identify areas for improvement. Mr. Keprios
suggested that he, Ms. Hedges and Mr. VanValkenburg join Mr. Kelly in that effort.
G. Antiques Appraisal Fair
Ms. Hedges has been in preliminary brief discussions with Virginia Bodine from the Edina Historical
Society concerning a joint event during which the public could bring in items for appraisal similar to
what is done on the TV show, Antiques Road Show. Separate rooms would be set up for different types
of items with experts staffing each of the rooms. The patrons would be charged so much per item or
maybe a contribution suggestion would be better. If a Board Member would like to pursue this as a
fundraising activity, please talk to Diana about working on this.
Another fundraising/event idea was offered to resurrect a very small version of the Santa House concept
at the Art Center by sponsoring a series of events tentatively labeled a Holiday Boutique. Activities
might include designing and creating Holiday gift wrapping paper, Holiday cards, and hand-made
Holiday gifts. The Photo Studio could be used to shoot family portraits, make video greetings, etc. This
would be an expansion of the Holiday-themed classes offered in prior years. This concept will be carried
over to future meetings.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:58 p.m.