Cortez Public Arts Advisory Committee

Cortez Public Arts Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Wednesday, October 10, 2018; 3:30 P.M. Cortez City Hall Meeting Room Present: Heidi Brugger (scribe), Sonja Horoshko (president), Eric Ikenouye (city liaison), Aaron LeMay, Brandon Shubert, Dan Simplicio, Kirbi Vaughn Absent with notice: Corinne Damore-Rome Citizens and visitors: Gail and Mike Lavey, Good Samaritan Food Pantry 1. Call to Order. The meeting convened at 3:30 P.M. 2. Presentations. None. 3. Citizen participation. Gail and Mike Lavey spoke on behalf of Good Samaritan Food Pantry, asking if the committee could provide support in terms of ideas and construction for a proposed haunted house fundraiser at the food hub building (North and Beech Streets). Sonja queried whether they had spoken with Laurie Hall and/or Susan Riggs, who are managing the mural work at the building. She voice concern about the mural materials that are in the building and opined that moving these back and forth to accommodate the haunted house could present logistical problems. The haunted house would operate on October 26, 27 and 31. Aaron LeMay suggested contacting the Teen Maze group and others for assistance; he committed to getting contact info to the Laveys. The Laveys invited the committee to the planning meeting being held at the food hub building on Tuesday, October 23, at 5:30 p.m. 4. Old Business a. Approval of the August 8, 2018 minutes. After Sonja Horoshko made minor corrections to the minutes, Aaron LeMay made a MOTION: To accept the minutes as amended. Dan Simplicio seconded the motion, which PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. b. Art Acquisitions update. The four pieces approved by the committee are up in city hall. The Journal article in the October 9 edition did raise comments from locals about the expenditure, which led the article. The acquisitions came in under budget and two artists—Barbara Grist and Karen Kristin—have thanked the council. c. Montezuma Park Cottonwood Tree Project. Sonja had many conversations with various tree mavens; all agree that the tree is sound; termites would not be a possible problem for 20 years, and the sculpture should be placed several feet above the ground level so if there is damage the sculpture could be cut off and moved. Two artists have shown interest but neither would be interested in submitting an RFP until spring since work could not begin until then. The committee will look into holding the ear-marked funds in the budget and moving them to next year. d. Mural Walk Brochure. Heidi Brugger reported that she and Sonja have a preliminary design for the mural tours brochure. She shared a draft so the committee could see how it is developing. Sonja has a favorable estimate from a local printer for 2000 copies. They expect to have a final within a week. The welcome center and businesses with murals that are in the brochure are prime locations for brochure placement. Heidi would like to guide one of the tours as a kick-off. Aaron suggested a foot or bike race that could include Wild Edge or Run & Hike as a “packaged” event. e. Food Hub and Spoke Mural Progress. Sonja, who is a volunteer artist on this project, reported that the murals are a bit behind but close to completion. She stressed that the project’s hope for a big educational project has come to fruition. Several mentored young artists were impressed that they received pay for their work. She also recognized the contributions of Brad Goodell and Hilary Mokewich. Heidi has been photographing the progress and posting it on her personal Facebook account. A student documentarian, Dante, is working on an album and video that will be shared after the project is complete. The project has garnered a lot of community interest. f. Facebook reach analysis. Kirbi Vaughn reported that the committee’s Facebook page has shown good traffic for a start-up. She reviewed its most successful posts—those asking for mural artist identification and public art survey information on unknown artists in the city collection. She encouraged committee members  to Like and Share information and to post using a photo or two with a query that invites response. Kirbi recommended that funds for post “boosts” should be limited to fundraising. She and Sonja also noted that the committee’s many projects will soon call for a web site so that people will be able to access specific project information without having to scroll through a lengthy timeline. 5. New Business a. Rural Philanthropy Days takeaways. Sonja and Eric attended Rural Philanthropy Days, a program of the Community Resources Center. This event provided a connection between those looking for grants/funds and those seeking to give funds to nonprofit organizations. The trainings were designed to help funding seekers learn the key elements what funders want in an application. To that end Sonja urged committee members to provide a personal accounting on in-kind donations and volunteer hours. She also stressed 100% committee member participation in any fundraising it does, creating a ledger of income and expenses for Year 1 of its work, and creating and implementing the artist survey. The committee agreed to provide personal accounting by December 1. Sonja submitted a report that details her assessment of the program (attached). b. Artist Survey. Sonja submitted notes for an artist survey that would provide a database of local artist who could be contacted for calls to exhibit, grants, RFPs, etc. Sonja noted that she needs to rework some of the survey so that it includes artist volunteer hours in the community, and that the community should be restricted to the City of Cortez. She noted that each committee member also needs to provide an accounting of their volunteer time as well as a bio, CV and/or resume for this survey effort. Sonja will submit a draft of the artist survey for committee approval at the November meeting. c. Fundraising and CPPAC account. As a result of Rural Philanthropy Days trainings, Sonja made a donation to the CPPAC account; it was matched by Jean Schwein. The CPPAC account for receiving funds now has $535 in it. 6. Draft Resolutions/Ordinances. None 7. Other Items of Business. Heidi reported that the Sunflower Theatre has started a steering committee; she has joined the committee will be reporting on theater as part of public arts. 8. Additional Citizen Participation. None. 9. City Staff Liaison Report. Eric reported that the committee budget, with the library budget, will be reviewed by Cortez City Council at the October 30 work session. He anticipated a vote on the city budget in November. Eric also reminded committee members that Dan and Kirbi are one-year appointments. He needs letters of intent from them if they plan to “re-up.” The committee also discussed soliciting candidates from theater and art teachers for a new student committee member. 10. Committee Reports. All updates covered under “Old Business.” 11. Upcoming. Next meeting November 14, 2018; 3:30 P.M. 12. Adjournment. Heidi made a MOTION: To adjourn at 4:35 p.m.; Brandon Shubert seconded the motion, which PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.