Cultural Arts Advisory Board

Cultural Commission March 11, 2019 STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OF TARRANT § CITY OF BEDFORD § The Bedford Cultural Commission met in regular session on March 11, 2019, with the following members present: Thomas Jacobsen Sergio Santos Summer Finley Joseph Cartwright Josh Santillan Terry Smith Charlenia Walsh – City of Bedford Cortney Sims – City of Bedford Kimmie Hamm – Trinity Arts Guild CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. by Mr. Jacobsen. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Consider approval of the following Cultural Commission minutes: a. February 11, 2019 The minutes for were approved with no changes by a motion by Mr. Cartwright and Mr. Santos seconded the motion. BUSINESS 1. Discussion and update on Phase Next/Old Bedford School and discussion about the Cultural Commission update to City Council Subjects Addressed by: Mr. Jacobsen, Mr. Smith, Mr. Santillan, Mr. Santos and Mr. Cartwright  Touched on the Boys Ranch and the activities taking place there, such as the art venues.  Mentioned the city being in the middle of reconfiguring all the commissions.  Recounted the commission’s participation at the Old Bedford School.  Referred back to some ideas or plans for public art. 1  Cultural Commission March 11, 2019  Mr. Smith touched on why he personally joined the Cultural Commission; having expressed his love for music and the arts, and appreciation for smaller venues.  Danny Wright is talked about, for example regarding the effort needed to bring more culture to the city.  Talked on utilizing the Old Bedford School as a place of opportunity for the local community including its artists; a place where art can be admired or sold, or create some revenue.  Touched on the disadvantages of hosting certain activities at the Old Bedford School due in part to its architecture and/or structural design, followed by a number of other inconveniencies, such as reserved space used by those separate from the commission.  Covered—or rather, were offered—a brief but thorough history concerning the creation and purposes of the Old Bedford School throughout the years prior to its renovation.  Mentioned the Heritage Education Program.  Questioned if it would be worthwhile to have a reservation system for events the commission might occasionally sponsor.  Referred back to the never-ending issue of costs (money), as well as the city’s plans for the Old Bedford School.  Discussed our understanding of Phase Next.  Expressed how Bedford’s history contributes greatly to its cultural side, and how some of the public art could be historically-focused—from “early history to historical future” (where history, art and culture can meet).  Need to have more affiliation with the organization for next year’s ArtsFest and Twilight.  Touched on some interesting yet obscured figures, such as a popular local violinist of the early 1900s, among others, by way of emphasizing Bedford’s art scene and knowledge of history, which is lacking (still at grassroots level).  Closed all further discussion on the Old Bedford School. 2  Cultural Commission March 11, 2019 2. Discussion about Cultural Commission update to City Council and art programming Subjects Addressed by: Mr. Santos, Mr. Jacobsen, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Santillan, Mr.Smith  Revisited the topic of public art, particularly bike rack art.  Focused in terms of making Bedford’s art appeal to the younger generation—the type of art that is influential, unique to one place so as to invite non-locals (art that is “instagram-able”). Ex: What would people be attracted in the years to come.  Mr. Santillan and Mr. Cartwright covered the activity(ies) they have taken place behind their shopping center, with Mr. Santos help with some of the art left over from the War of the Worlds event.  Offered more ideas to help people connect with Bedford’s public art, for selfies or otherwise.  Considered certain locations to have public art freely, without consequence.  Revisited the project of “Bedford Bees”.  Expressed concern of small, local artists versus big, outside artists.  Discussed efforts to help local artists be discovered. o Ex: Find ways to assist and/or promote local artists. Find out who they are and invest in them. “Form an arts culture.”  Mentioned the Put a Bird On It! event.  Called for a cultural commission event to help venues, including store businesses like Danny’s, What’s Poppin’ Texas, etc.  Touched on the Earth Day Awareness project.  Suggested a plan proposal for City Council.  Thought to bring forward the historic focus (an action item) to the council, together with the “Bedford Bees” project.  Mentioned Marty from the “Beautification” project, and those from the “Awareness” project, wanting to help bring up Bedford’s art scene and storefronts. 3  Cultural Commission March 11, 2019 o Bring attention back to their shopping center.  Advised that we learn to tag-team instead of working separately for better results.  Touched on whatever materials were available and how we will set-up for the ArtsFest.  Asked on the “whereabouts” of our Cultural Committee shirts for the upcoming event.  Mr. Jacobsen and Mr. Smith attend to the brochure. 3. Discussion, updates and possible action on upcoming art/cultural programming including Artsfest and Chalk Art event. Subjects Addressed by: Mr. Santillan, Mr. Smith, Mr. Cartwright  Mythica Von Griffin is mentioned; a well-renown—and expensive—chalk artist.  Mr. Cartwright and Mr. Santillan attend to the “Bedford Bees” project.  Talked on finding musicians to fill up [venue] space.  Suggested collecting banners just to draw people in; make the art appear more attractive.  Questioned on what to do with the banner for the Cultural Committee.  Focused on the next meeting which follows the week after ArtsFest—April 8th. ADJOURNMENT There being no additional business, Mr. Smith made a motion for adjournment of the meeting; Mr. Jacobsen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 P.M. ____________________________ Thomas Jacobson, Chairperson 4