Burlington City Arts Board of Directors
Regular MeetingBurlington, VT · January 20, 2026
Minutes
BCA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
BCA Studios, 405 Pine Street
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Board Members Present: Michelle Buswell, Robin Pierce, David Zacharis, Billi Gosh, Dana vanderHeyden,
Rachel Kahn-Fogel, Deb Wilkinson, Lisa Lillibridge, Parker Silver, Barbara Perry, Laura McDonough.
ONLINE: Kristina Pentek, Ryan Moritz, Hannah Lebel, Lori Rowe, Livia DeMarchis, Kelly Butts-Spirito
Staff present: Doreen Kraft, Sara Katz, Heather Ferrell, Joyce Cameron, Melissa Steady, Rachel Zellem,
Meara McGinniss
Sarah Rogers called the meeting to order at 3:10.
1. Parker Silver moved to accept the minutes from the November meeting, Michelle Buswell
seconded. All were in favor.
2. Michelle Buswell moved to accept the agenda, Lisa Lillibridge seconded. All were in favor.
3. Directors Report: Doreen Kraft asked Barbara Perry to highlight her director’s report. Barbara
discussed successes in fundraising and encouraged the board to spread the word about
available rentals in the Community Room. Sara Katz updated on the HVAC repairs at the BCA
Center, which will result in staff largely relocating to 405 Pine Street for the duration of the
work, which will be about 8 weeks. The spring exhibition opening has been pushed to March 20
because of the work. Because the city owns the building, all repairs are managed and paid for
by the city capital improvements program. Sara reiterated the details of the BCA Center’s 50-
year lease agreement that ensures the building’s use as a community art center, signed in 2001,
wherein the BCAF leases the building for $1 a year. Lori Rowe asked about the marketing
strategy for rentals in the Community Room. Elena described the advertising strategy on a local
and more targeted level. Kelly Butts-Spirito suggested partnerships with younger presenting
groups might increase visibility on social media. Barbara Perry suggested offering the
community room to the NPAs for a reduced rate, in order to welcome more of the community
in. Laura McDonough suggested reaching out to the Chamber of Commerce.
4. Michelle Buswell, Treasurer, gave the financial report. She reminded the board that the city only
funds 40% of our budget, with the remaining 60% in needing to be raised through fundraising
and revenue streams. Class registration and studio revenue is on target for the goals for the
year. To reach the budget goal $220,000 needs to be raised, compared with this time last year
when the gulf was $100,000.
Michele named three areas for board members to focus on: come to BCA programs, bring
people with you, and brainstorm new corporate partners. There is nothing not to love about
BCA! Joyce Cameron addressed corporate fundraising and passed out a list of current corporate
funders for board members to review. If board members have ideas for new corporate
partnerships, they should reach out to the fundraising team.
5. Joyce gave the fundraising update. The year-end appeal did really well, picked up 40 new donors
because of a mailing list gleaned from the grand list. The retention rate of donors was good. BCA
received several unexpected major gifts in December, increasing the average end of year gift
amount to double what it was last year. She announced that a committee has formed to work
on organizing the annual fundraiser this spring, the budgeted goal is $65,000 but Joyce is hoping
to raise $100,000.
6. FY27 Budget Update-Doreen Kraft explained the current challenges faced by the city in terms of
budgeting. BCA is trying to be part of the solution while retaining the core values of the
organization. Doreen and Sara welcome any feedback, especially feedback from the community.
Deb Wilkinson brought up the supply wish list created with the Ed team, as way to alleviate
budget anxiety. Sarah Rogers encouraged the board to bring those donations to the next board
meeting.
7. 405 Update-Doreen updated the board on the progress of the capital campaign and some
upcoming deadlines. The BCAF board is drawing up a draft condo agreement and looking for
possible buyers for the north side of the building. State approval for final environmental site-
work has come through.
8. Committee Reports
a. Executive Committee Reports-The executive committee is reviewing the board manual
and creating a shorter bulleted list of important info for board members.
b. Communications and development ad-hoc committee. The committee is working with
the communications department to make buttons that “Ask me about BCA!”. Board bios
need to be updated and put on the website. Elena Rosen discussed the difficulty of
measuring the success of an awareness campaign.
c. Lori Rowe reported from the Education group. The group met with the staff who
discussed budget anxieties. Deb Wilkinson spoke on behalf of Art from the Heart and
the usefulness of the “Ask me about BCA” buttons at the hospital and making sure that
BCA is part of people’s awareness of AFTH. Barbara Perry spoke about the hospital
board and the lack of awareness of Art from the Heart. Dana vanderHeyden spoke
about a recent experience at the hospital with staff loving the new artwork.
d. Hannah Lebel reported from the events committee-they are working on the same
projects as before the pause for the holidays.
e. Sarah discussed the exhibition committee, which is the same as the regular exhibition
committee, and not an ad-hoc committee.
Sarah Rogers thanked the committees and announced that the ad-hoc committee structure will
continue for now.
6. Update from the Curator. Heather Ferrell encouraged board members to come to the BCA
Center to enjoy the last few days of the current exhibition. She outlined the coming exhibitions
(see attached), including Human Impact (focusing on the climate), a sculpture show curated by
Jacquie O’Brien, Veronica Pham (summer), Dark Botanica (fall), and Laurent Gresso (spring 2027)
Sarah Rogers challenged board members to coordinate a small private gallery tour with Heather.
Lisa Lillibridge volunteered.
7. Parker Silver moved to adjourn, Laura McDonough seconded. Meeting adjourned at 4:44.
March 13 – June 20, 2026
Human Impact focuses on the pressing
issues facing the natural environment of
New England, and our global world.
The exhibit examines our shifting
perspectives and connection with the land
during a time of dramatic change and
development.
Probing complex environmental, social,
political, and economic issues entwined
with our shared ecology, the artworks in
Human Impact reveal our ever-evolving
connection to – and power over – our
natural environment. Adriane Colburn, Right Angle, (left) 2024, steam-bend ash sculpture; Unknown wall-mounted sculpture, (right) 2023
Artists
Confirmed:
Renée Greenlee (VT) Sallie Dean Shatz (UT)
Nicolei Buendia Gupit (VT) Diane Burko (PA)
Rebecca McGee Tuck (MA) Kari Greer (ID)
Adriane Colburn (NY/VT)
John Gerrard (Ire)
Human Impact is curated by BCA Curator Heather Ferrell
Rebecca McGee Tuck, representative image, 2020-2021, multimedia wall
sculpture from reclaimed materials
Goals:
• Raise awareness of ongoing issues surrounding
human impact on environment and connect the
local to global.
• Offer programming with community partners
that creates a space for advocacy and activism
on environmental initiatives in Vermont.
• Align with one of BTV Mayor’s top 3 goals:
Citywide Climate Strategy, and Core Value of
Community Engagement.
• Curate a relevant exhibition, and one that serves
K-12 educators, builds our tour program. Kari Greer, representative image, photographic print
March 13 – June 20, 2026
Sculptural Ideas: Line, Color and Form is about
the careful interaction between three major art
making elements in sculpture: line, color and
form.
Featuring two regional artists the exhibit seeks
to close the gap between looking and
understanding when interacting with
contemporary sculpture.
Lee Williams – Shaftsbury, VT
Cathy Della Lucia – Boston, MA
Sculptural Ideas is curated by BCA Curatorial
Asst/Gallery Coord. Jacquie O’Brien
Cathy Della Lucia, Give Me Gravy Tonight, 2024
Key Ideas
Foundational art elements, line, color and form,
influence the composition of sculpture and how we see it
in an idiosyncratic way.
Sculpture shares physical space with the viewer in both
passive and activated ways – engaging with our
subconscious while using certain tools to help in these
somatic responses.
These essential elements communicate gesture, scale or
motion. While they seem basic, they often carry bigger
implications about the intent of the artist or the effects
of the work on the viewer.
Lee Williams, representative image, artist studio
Goals:
• Spotlight the impact that sculptural art that
occupies physical space has on the viewer, both
consciously and unconsciously.
• Share key aspects of artist practice and the wide
array it can materialize in.
• Connect the action of looking with the concept
of understanding ones immediate environment
in a thoughtful and relatable way.
Lee Williams, representative image, (left), Cathy Della Lucia, Pumpking Keeper, (right)
Exhibit Programs
Artist Reception and
Teachers’ Night Out (TBD)
Friday, March 20, 2026 4-5pm and 5-7pm
Artist Talk: Lee Williams
Thursday, March 26, 2026, 6pm
Artist Panel: Human Impact
Thursday, April 9 2026, 6pm
Collaborative Program: Middlebury students
April-May Date TBD
Family Art Saturday
Fourth Saturday of each month
March-April-May-June Sallie Dean Shatz, Learning Humility from a Dying Lake, ongoing, photographic print
Programmatic Partnerships:
Middlebury College, University of Vermont,
Burlington Electric Department
July 10 – September 12, 2026
2nd Floor Roth
Veronica Pham works primarily in
papermaking and fiber arts.
Her work focuses on traditional craft specific
to Vietnamese and Chinese histories – such
as papermaking and net weaving.
Through her work she explores ideas of
process, generational knowledge, cultural
heritage, and questions of identity.
Veronica Pham, MFA Exhibit, , The Line Along the Knot, University of Wisconsin, Madison, April 2024
September 25, 2026 –January 23, 2027
First Floor
Dark Botanica includes group of contemporary
artists who reimagine the depiction of flowers
in visual culture. Long associated with beauty,
fragility, romance, and the decorative, floral
imagery has emerged as a popular theme in
contemporary art.
In Dark Botanica flowers are transformed from
ornamental depictions of the natural world to
something more ambiguous, evocative, and
strange. In Dark Botanica artists employ floral
forms to examine themes of desire, mortality,
transformation, and crisis.
(L) Sage Tucker-Ketcham, Untitled, 2024 and (R) Mat Collishaw, Untitled, Alluvian series, 2023
February 5 –May 8, 2027
French artist, Laurent Grasso, creates work that
interrogates the line between temporalities,
combining historical references and futurism to
create new, ambiguous, realities.
ARTIFICIALIS examines how 21st-century explorers
document the world using modern tools, merging real
and virtual worlds to envision the future. Grasso
generates images that blur reality, nature, and artifice.
ARTIFICIALIS is presented in conjunction with Grasso’s
Laurent Grasso, ARTIFICIALIS, 2021, film still
MASS MoCA exhibit, Metaphysical Maze, Nov. 7, 2026
– Jan. 16, 2028.
Packet
Burlington City Arts Board of Directors
Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 3:00 PM
405 Pine Street Community Room
https://zoom.us/j/91939694226?pwd=k8A6SPyHetE6ufxSF5sYqPan45baaq.1
1. Approve Agenda & Minutes
1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda
1.2. Motion to adopt previous meeting's minutes
2. Public Forum
3. Director's Report
4. Financial Update
4.1. FY26 Actuals to Budget report
4.2. FY27 Budget update
4.3. 405 Construction and Capital Campaign update
5. Committee Reports
5.1. Executive Committee Update
5.1. Board Manual and On boarding
5.1. Roles and Responsibilities
5.1. Bios and Matrix updates
5.2. Update, Assessment and Clarification of Ad Hoc Committees
6. Spring Exhibitions Update
6.1. Overview - Heather Ferrell
6.2. Call to Action -- supporting attendance and friendraising
7. Fundraising Event Ideas
7.1. Call to Action -- BCA Education Wish List
7.2. Spring Fundraising Event
8. Adjournment
8.1. Motion to Adjourn
Page 1 of 7
BCA Budget Report
07/01/25 -12/31/25
YTD YTD FY26
Account Account Description Transactions Budget Prior Year YTD Budget
Fund 101 - General Fund
REVENUE
Department 27 - Burlington City Arts
4385 Ticket Sales 13,894 2,500 5,000 75,000
4275 Rent & Lease 118,564 111,560 114,594 207,560
4395 Art and Merchandise Sales 27,553 47,263 15,907 81,525
4397 Class Registration 247,535 178,000 215,109 302,000
4600_120 Fees For Services Culture & Recreation 10,570 12,902 12,305 84,000
Third Party Gateway CC surcharge 7,377 4,250 3,538 8,500
4380_109
4600 - Fees For Services Totals 425,494 352,225 366,453 758,585
4875 Grant
4330 Foundations 116,000 100,000 85,000 250,000
4875_100 Grant Federal Operating 0 0 45,000 0
4875_140 Grant State Operating 13,000 9,000 10,000 9,000
4875 - Grant Totals 129,000 109,000 140,000 259,000
4950 Donations
4950_115 Donations Corporate 88,242 156,000 162,802 250,000
4950_120 Donations Board 28,150 88,800 100,495 125,000
4950_123 Donations General 22,043 26,000 18,625 50,000
4950_125 Donations Major Gifts 160,873 125,000 118,381 255,000
4950_130 Donations Special Events 0 0 1,000 65,000
4950 - Donations Totals 299,307 395,800 401,303 745,000
Department 27 - Burlington City Arts Totals 853,801 857,025 907,756 1,762,585
REVENUE TOTALS 853,801 857,025 907,756 1,762,585
EXPENSE
Department 27 - Burlington City Arts
5000 Salaries and Wages
5000_100 Salaries and Wages Regular, Full Time 601,138 614,391 608,473 1,242,488
5000_110 Salaries and Wages Regular Part Time 76,925 67,324 0 140,034
5000_115 Salaries and Wages Seasonal/Temporary 175,939 167,825 173,877 298,385
5000 - Salaries and Wages Totals 854,001 849,540 782,350 1,680,907
5100 Overtime 6,088 8,500 6,594 13,905
5200 Other Personal Service
5200_106 Other Personnel Services Staffing 0 1,545 3,974 3,090
5200_110 Other Personnel Services On-Call 0 464 360 927
5200_115 Other Personnel Services Other Compensation 2,288 4,223 3,199 8,446
5200_116 Other Personnel Services Longevity Pay 0 307 0 614
5200_120 Other Personnel Services Shift Differential 236.12 0 0 0
5200_130 Other Personnel Services Allowance Taxable 4,091 6,420 5,361 12,839
5200 - Other Personal Service Totals 6,614 12,958 12,893 25,916
5400 Employee Benefits
5400_100 Employee Benefits FICA 64,006 65,818 58,968 131,635
5400_115 Employee Benefits Retirement B 0 0 69,564 129,318
5400_120 Employee Benefits Workers Compensation 0 0 23,730 50,229
5400_125 Employee Benefits Health Insurance 0 0 137,136 303,277
5400_130 Employee Benefits Dental Insurance 0 0 8,382 13,364
5400_135 Employee Benefits Life Insurance 0 0 1,608 2,753
5400_145 Employee Benefits Employee Parking 2,480 1,540 1,680 3,080
5400_150 Employee Benefits Recognition 1,303.02 0 25 2,546
5400 - Employee Benefits Totals 67,789 67,358 301,093 636,202
2,356,930
Run by Sara Katz on 01/13/2026 03:10:35 PM Page 1 of 2
Page 2 of 7
YTD YTD FY25
Account Account Description Transactions Budget Prior Year YTD Budget
6000 Office Supplies 2,426 2,600 1,093 5,000
6005 Postage 3,400 2,100 2,418 4,000
6007 Shipping and Moving 1,066 4,300 3,046 12,000
6010 Computer Equipment 126.88 0 114.99 800
6015 Computer Software 0 0 0
6025 Furnishings 415 0 0 0
6200 Medical Fees And Supplies 209.65 220 630 500
6202 Printing/Copying/Paper Mgt 10,535 8,050 11,085 23,000
6203 Dues/Subscriptions 4,209 1,738 3,687.44 6,100
6208 Special Supplies 27,967 42,765 42,324 87,965
6211 Specialized Equipment 3,128 6,000 5,501 11,200
6212 Fuel 305 0 173 850
6300 Repair & Maintenance 608 0 0 5,000
6327 Customer Credits & Refunds 0 200 355 500
6350 Legal Notice & Advertising 34,983 42,235 63,873.90 92,000
6400 Utilities
6400_100 Utilities Electricity 7,000 6,000 5,000 12,000
6400_125 Utilities Telecommunications 2,857 3,400 3,287 6,000
6400_127 Utilities Cellular Communications 2,231 1,650 895.59 3,300
6400 - Utilities Totals 12,088 11,050 9,183 21,300
6500 Professional and Consultant Services
6500_103 Professional and Consultant Svs Security Contracts 13,776 7,000 25,965 24,000
6500_118 Professional and Consultant Services Contractual Services 78,780 66,900 155,209 147,625
6500 - Professional and Consultant Services Totals 92,557 66,900 181,174 171,625
6510 Artist Services
6510_100 Artist Services non-salaried compensation 158,675 178,550 217,788 190,400
6510_110 Artist Services commissions 4,000 0 9,250 18,000
6510_120 Artist Services consignments 15,193 81,000 77,283 36,000
6510_130 Artist Services reimbursements 487 3,700 3,579 5,500
6510 - Artist Services Totals 178,355 194,050 307,900 249,900
6700 Travel & Training
6530_125 Rentals Vehicle 66 1,000 1,088.16 2,500
6700_100 Travel & Training Education 100 0 0 1,000
6700_110 Travel & Training Travel Expense 1,197 4,400 1,738 7,500
6700 - Travel & Training Totals 1,363 4,400 2,826 11,000
6800 Fees for Services
6800_140 Fees for Services Hospitality Expense 3,940 4,375 16,856 15,200
6800 - Fees for Services Totals 3,940 4,375 16,856 15,200
7000 Bad Debt Expense 2,475.50 0 287.04 0
7200 Capital Leases
7200_115 Capital Leases Equipment 571 489 489 978
7200 - Capital Leases Totals 571 489 489 978
7303 Regulatory and Bank Fees 3,247 3,000 4,101 8,500
7303_100 Regulatory and Bank Fees Gateway/Third Party Processing 0 58 500
7730 Scholarships 42,596 26,200 51,970 85,500
8400 Special Events/Projects 72,900
9999 Expenditure control general 0 0 0 -59,040
Department 27 - Burlington City Arts Totals 1,361,062 1,327,451 1,811,790 3,184,208
EXPENSE TOTALS 1,361,062 1,327,451 1,811,790 3,184,208
Fund 101 - General Fund Totals
REVENUE TOTALS 853,801 857,025 907,756 1,762,585
EXPENSE TOTALS 1,361,062 1,327,451 1,811,790 3,184,208
Fund 101 - General Fund Totals (507,260) (470,427) (904,034) (1,421,623)
Run by Sara Katz on 01/13/2026 03:10:35 PM Page 2 of 2
Page 3 of 7
BCA EDUCATION WISH LIST
ART FROM THE HEART ITEMS
Crayola Model Magic
https://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Alternative-Classpack-Assorted-Colors/dp/B00027C7K2
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Handepo 360 Pcs 6 in 1 Multicolor Pens
https://www.amazon.com/Handepo-Multicolor-Ballpoint-Retractable-Colorful/dp/B0DJQDRCPR
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
CraftCraze 12 Pack Animals Diamond Art Painting Kits for Adults
https://www.amazon.com/CraftCraze-Animals-Diamond-Painting-Adults/dp/B0F5B4QGTN
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
FUNNYB&G Rainbow Scratch Paper
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK4ZM7J6?m=A33N5UF4CS2BFW&ref=psp_pc_a_ASIS581EP0KCQ&th
=1
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Wooden Animal Puzzles for Ages 8+, 6 Pack 3D Wooden Puzzles
https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Animal-Puzzles-Projects-Educational/dp/B0DT1JHM5N
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Wooden Puzzle Simulation Animal Dinosaur Assembly DIY Model Toy for Kids and Adults
https://www.amazon.com/calary-Wooden-Simulation-Dinosaur-Assembly/dp/B09ZGWZNVB
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Wooden Puzzle Simulation Animal Dinosaur Assembly DIY Model Toy for Kids and Adults
https://www.amazon.com/calary-Wooden-Simulation-Dinosaur-Assembly/dp/B07CP2FSNT
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
10-Color Water Color Paint Sets for Kids
https://www.amazon.com/Kiggos-Bulk-Watercolor-Set-Acuarelas/dp/B0CY3LNQ4W
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Colored Pencils Bulk, Pre-sharpened Colored Pencils for Kids
https://www.amazon.com/Rarlan-Colored-Pre-sharpened-Assorted-Coloring/dp/B08ZRYJMBX
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Page 4 of 7
BCA STUDIOS GENERAL ITEMS
Sponges
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Magic Erasers
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Unscented Hand Soap
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Blue Dawn Dish Soap
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Unscented All-purpose Cleaning Spray
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Antibacterial All-Purpose Spray (Such as Method Citron)
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Unscented Laundry Detergent
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Unscented Baby wipes
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Disinfecting Wipes
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Paper towels
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Ziploc Slider Bags (Gallon and Quart)
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Saran Wrap
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Parchment Paper
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Tin Foil
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Page 5 of 7
Nitrile gloves
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Baking Soda – Large Box
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
White Vinegar
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Black Expo Markers
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Sturdy Cotton Aprons
Quantity desired= 10-20
CAMP ITEMS
16x6x2 inch Large Kraft Paper Bags, 100 pack
Quantity desired= 250/year
8x4x10 inch Small Kraft Paper Bags, 100 pack
Quantity desired= 600/year
2-Pocket Folders, 100 pack
Quantity desired= 1-2 packs
Kid Games/Toys for Camp Lunch/Aftercare
Velcro Toss and Catch mitts, Uno, Phase 10, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Board Games
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
PHOTOGRAPHY ITEMS
Film Cameras with manual controls
Quantity desired= 3-6
Note: Canon AE-1, Nikon FM2, Nikon FM3, Pentax K-1000 preferred
Tripods with quick release heads (any tripod in good shape and has the quick release plate)
Quantity desired= 3-6
Page 6 of 7
JEWELRY ITEMS
Trash bags (8 gallon-medium size)
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Note: this specific size isn’t stocked by our cleaners
Hannaford Unscented Baby wipes
Quantity desired= any amount, used frequently
Note: Hannaford brand preferred
Cat’s Pride Kitty Litter (Unscented, Baking Soda Clumping) in plastic containers only
Quantity desired= 2-4
Note: can be found at Hannaford and used to neutralize citric acid in the pickle
Page 7 of 7