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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-23 Arts Culture Commission MinutesEdina Arts and Culture Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes City of Edina, Minnesota Edina City Hall Council Chambers January 23, 2014 4:30 P.M. I. Call to Order Chair Bouassida called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m. II. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Kitty O'Dea, Colin Nelson, Thomas Raeuchle, and John Swon. Commissioners Absent: Paul Peterson. Staff Present: Michael Frey, General Manager, Edina Art Center; and Kaylin Martin Communications Coordinator. Community Members Present: None. Student Members Present: Sophia Munic and Jack Ready. Ill. Approval of Meeting Agenda Chair Bouassida noted the meeting agenda had been circulated and asked if there were requests for additions or changes. No additions to the agenda voiced. The agenda as stated is approved and will be followed. IV. Adoption of Consent Agenda A. Approval of Minutes of December 19, 2013 Chair Bouassida asked if there were changes or corrections to the minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 19, 2013. No changes voiced. Motion by Chair Bouassida and seconded by Commissioner Raeuchle that the Arts and Culture Commission approve the regular meeting minutes of December 19, 2013. Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Colin Nelson, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and John Swon. Motion carried. V. Community Comment No comments made. VI. Reports/Recommendations A. Art Center Working Group Report Commissioner Lappin discussed the Faculty and Student Show and reported that 120 entries were received. She stated that the show opened on January 9th and was well attended, even with the cold weather. She welcomed and encouraged people to stop by the Art Center and view the show, noting that through the show you are able to see work from the instructors and the students. She referenced the Grandview CAT and advised that she attended her first meeting on January 13th and provided an update on that meeting. She noted that the group is also going through the process to develop an RFI, which the group discussed with City Council via a Worksession the previous week and a deadline of March was provided for the RFI to be complete. She also provided a brief update on the Film Festival Committee, noting that Commissioner Swon will be leaving the Commission after this meeting and the Film Festival Committee will now fall under the Art Center Working Group. Commissioner La Valleur commended Commissioner Lappin for her efforts with the recently opened show and encouraged individuals to attend. Commissioner Lappin reviewed some upcoming events at the Art Center including the Teen Show in late March. Motion by Chair Bouassida and seconded by Commissioner La Valleur that the Arts and Culture Commission approve the Art Center Working Group Report as presented. Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Colin Nelson, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and John Swon. Motion carried. B. Music in Edina Report Commissioner Ellis reported that the Music in Edina Working Group held its third meeting on January 8th and is still awaiting word on funding. She advised that Commissioner Peterson met with members of City Council and Simon Properties to discuss the potential of holding an outdoor concert. She noted that the group will meet again in February. Commissioner La Valleur noted that the City Council did approve the $10,000 at their last meeting. Motion by Chair Bouassida and seconded by Commissioner Raeuchle that the Arts and Culture Commission to approve the Music in Edina Working Group Report as presented. Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Colin Nelson, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and John Swon. Motion carried. C. Public Art Working Group Report Commissioner La Valleur reported that the 2014 Call for Sculptures went out the previous week and was included on the website as well as direct mail to certain sculptors and art schools. She also discussed upcoming construction that should begin in June and be complete by November 2014 for the Phase IV expansion of the Promenade. She stated that in June 2013 QR Codes were in use on the sculpture plaques in order to provide additional information on the artist and art for the sculpture program within Edina. She reported that a well-attended opening for a rotating art exhibit occurred in June 2013 at Pinstripes and reported that the event would be held at the same location in June of 2014. She also provided information about a partnership with Fairview Hospital, which began the previous year in regard to the emergency room expansion and how art could be incorporated. She referenced the "Save Spalding" campaign, which occurred in 2013 and noted that there has been great press during the past year in multiple sources. Commissioner Raeuchle referenced Phase IV of the Promenade expansion and believed that there were some exciting things happening, including the addition of an artistic advisor into the process. He explained that the artist will work with the design team to develop an overall artistic concept for the project. Commissioner La Valleur stated that she is also very excited about the Promenade expansion and added that a new exhibit will be expanded to a fourth site this year as the owner of Westin Hotel has agreed to allow a sculpture on their property. She also provided an update on the five acts of vandalism, which occurred in 2013, noting that one instance was not minor and the sculpture had to be removed in order to be repaired. She expressed frustration with the vandalism and the efforts that could possibly occur in order to deter such acts in the future. Motion by Commissioner Raeuchle and seconded by Commissioner Ellis that the Arts and Culture Commission approve the Public Art Working Group Report as presented. Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Colin Nelson, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and John Swon. Motion carried. D. Strategic Planning Committee Commissioner Meifert reviewed with Commissioners the members of the Committee which met over the course of two meetings in order to complete the proposed Work Plan which focuses on five areas including direction, situation analysis and areas of focus, key issues to be addressed, key issues, and a tactics calendar. He noted that each key issue has identified strategies, tactics, responsibilities and timing. He briefly summarized each of the items included in the Work Plan. He stated that it is the recommendation of the Committee that Commissioners be identified, at a future date, and assigned specific tasks to take responsibility and ensure completion of each item. He explained that the Commissioner identified to each tactic would provide an update at future meetings on their progress. He explained that the Committee attempted to limit this to a focused effort in order to prevent taking on too much and not being able to complete the identified tactics. Mr. Frey clarified that when Commissioner Meifert mentioned a 5013C that would apply specifically to the fundraising arm and not the Art Center. Commissioner Raeuchle noted that this is a work in progress and encouraged Commissioners to provide feedback or additional topics if desired and advised that those comments could be integrated into the Work Plan prior to the next meeting. Commissioner La Valleur referenced the issue of communication and questioned if that item would include work with the City. Commissioner Meifert confirmed that the Commission could work with the City in regard to communications but noted that those efforts could be expanded to other areas of communication as well. Commissioner Raeuchle asked that the amended Work Plan be sent out with the next Commission packet prior to the February meeting. Chair Bouassida asked that the Commissioners be proactive in their desire to work on specific tactics and to provide their input. Motion by Chair Bouassida and seconded by Commissioner La Valleur that the Arts and Culture Commission approve the Strategic Plan Committee Report as presented. Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Colin Nelson, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and John Swon. Motion carried. E. The Author's Studio Report Commissioner Nelson reported that the Author's Studio has begun its third year at the Edina Art Center, explaining that he interviews authors of different genres the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the Art Center's Margaret Foss Gallery. He reported that about 18 months ago, writing classes began at the Art Center and there was also a partnership with The Loft, which offered classes. He explained that the Art Center hopes to generate writing classes of their own which are separate of The Loft. He thanked the staff at the Art Center, including Mr. Frey, as well as the Commissioners that have attended and supported the program. He also discussed the possibility of expanding the Author's Studio to other venues outside of the Art Center. Commissioner La Valleur stated that she noticed the Author's Studio videos on YouTube and questioned if all of the sessions were posted to YouTube. Commissioner Nelson advised that all of the sessions are recorded and the broadcasting to the cable channel will continue. He stated that the Art Center working with Communications is attempting to upload all of the sessions onto YouTube, but that process is still progressing. Commissioner Raeuchle believed that these efforts would support the development of a culture calendar, which could identify the events and the rebroadcast times. Motion by Commissioner La Valleur and seconded by Commissioner Swon that the Arts and Culture Commission approve the Author's Studio Report as presented. Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Colin Nelson, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and John Swon. Motion carried. F. Film Festival Report Chair Bouassida thanked Commissioner Swon for his efforts over the past years and his work on the Film Festival. Commissioner Swon stated that all of the numbers, which had been set in the past for the festival, were doubled in this third year. He thanked Commissioner Meifert and O'Dea for their efforts on the event. He stated that in going forward the group is attempting to make some decisions in order to determine the best path to move forward in regard to financing and location. He stated that it has been a pleasure to be a part of this group over the years and through the transition from the Edina Art Center Board to the Edina Arts and Culture Commission and thanked everyone for his opportunity to serve. VII. Correspondence and Petitions Chair Bouassida asked if there was any correspondence or petitions. None voiced. VIII. Chair and Board Member Comments There were none. IX. Staff Comments A. 2013 Year in Review Mr. Frey stated that when the Commission was in this position one year ago the clear theme was change and noted that there were many changes that took place over the past year. He noted that the transition from the Art Center Board to the Arts and Culture Commission took place in May 2013 and expressed his appreciation for the work of each Commissioner. He believed this is an exciting time for arts and culture within the City of Edina. He referenced Commissioner Swon and thanked him for his significant contributions over the past six years to the Art Center and the Film Festival. He also commended the Commissioners who have taken the lead on both the Film Festival and the Author's Studio as they are no longer commissioners; they have chosen to continue these events into the future. He reported on the recent staffing changes at the Art Center in order to bring in fresh talent with strong technical skills; and a new energy in the Art Center which he believed was evident at the recent faculty and student show. He explained that the staff at the Art Center is now leaner with a more efficient set of skills, as there had previously been a large amount of part-time employees. He explained that the new employees have also assisted in bringing the Art Center forward technologically. He thanked the Commission for their efforts as well as the Student Members who are dedicated and focused. Chair Bouassida thanked the other members of the Commission for their efforts over the past year and acknowledged that there is still more work to be done. He recognized that not every city has an Arts and Culture Commission and acknowledged that because of that the group will have to work in innovative ways. He also thanked the Edina City Council members for all of their support of the Commission. Commissioner Meifert advised of an upcoming art opening at a Shepherd of the Hills church, in partnership with the Edina Art Center, and encouraged all Commissioners to attend. X. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner O'Dea and seconded by Commissioner La Valleur that the Arts and Culture Commission adjourn the meeting at 5:35 p.m. Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Colin Nelson, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and John Swon. Motion carried.