Cultural Commission

CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 August 22, 2022 Minutes of the Meeting Meeting called to order, in person and as a video conference call, by Chairman Harvey Center at 6:30 pm with Commissioners: John Cherry, John Cooke, Alma Faham, Ed Moore, Gregory Smith, and Coordinator Gregory Wencek. Absent: Mary Burke, Cheryl Hill, and Perry Price. Presentation of Minutes The Minutes of the July meeting were presented. A motion by GSmith to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by JCooke. Passed by unanimous voice vote. Correspondence EMail: Cultural Commission planning a Designs for Danbury initiative (Shay Nagarsheth), Application for Connecticut Supporting Arts Grant Program (Dan Garrick), Feasibility study for a Sidewalk Chalk Day (Lazaro Chavez), Space Grants offered by Grace Farms Foundation - Qualifying organizations are encouraged to apply for a Space Grant to use for internal activities such as strategic meetings, trainings, capacity-building programs, and workshops, Derek Piotr re: donation. Mail: Brass Band Application Phone: Lazaro Chavez, Manager City Center re: potential and actual projects; Perry Price for meeting notice; Shay Nagarsheth Director of Economic Development re: Designs for Danbury Reports on events, DCC sponsored ○ Musicals at Richter ■ The Sound of Music Friday, July 22- Aug 8 8:30 – 11:00 EMoore: It was a great show. JCooke: There was a good crowd, and a good cast, another fine season. HCenter: It was hot and the weather is always an issue. ○ Charles Ives Music Festival - Chamber Ensemble Concert Sunday, August 14⋅1:00 – 4:00pm Danbury events not sponsored by the Commission ○ Danbury Music Centre ○ 2022 WestSide Reggae Festival - Heart And Soul Ent LLC Saturday, July 30⋅1:00 – 10:30pm Ives Concert Park 43 Lake Avenue Extension Danbury, CT 06811 ○ Italian Festival - Amerigo Vespucci Lodge August 5 - August 7 10 Christopher Columbus Ave, Danbury, CT 06810, ○ Danbury Museum ■ Music in the Garden Saturday, August 5 ⋅ postponed due to heat ■ Guided Tours of 4 Danbury Museum Historic Buildings on our Main Street campus ■ Guided Tours of the Ives Homestead ■ The outdoor exhibit panels are installed ○ Danbury Railway Museum ○ City Center Danbury ■ Dancing Under The Stars July 29 Minutes of the Meeting Page 1 of 5 Approved: September 21, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 ■ 2022 Summer Concert Series Finale August 19 ■ Farmers Market - Friday, June 24⋅10:00am – 2:00pm until Oct 29, 2022 ○ Palace Theater Danbury ○ Galleries ■ Gallery of the Visual and Performing Arts Center WCSU Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension ■ Gallery at Still River Editions 128 E Liberty St. ■ in VIEW project Main Street Danbury ○ WCSU Upcoming events See addendum Coordinator’s Report ● Application for Supporting Arts Grant Program - Submitted with help from the Finance Dept. ○ The Coordinator is now the contact point for ADA requirements ■ Recipients of Endowment funds are required to certify that their programs and activities are and/or will be conducted in compliance with the Endowment's regulations implementing Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). [NEA-SECTION-504-Self-Evaluation-Workbook] ■ The Endowment estimates the average time to complete this application is four (4) hours per response. (There are 15 responses in the Workbook.) ● Derek Piotr: ○ Derek Piotr is asking for a donation for “The Fieldwork Archive” at https://fieldwork-archive.com/ ○ Derek Piotr latest project: THE DEVIL KNOWS HOW can be found online at: https://derekpiotr.com/albums/tdkh/ ● Danbury Ethnic Cultural Festival Reply from Jonathan M. Barney, Community Services & Constituent Relations Office of the Mayor | City of Danbury: “I am not aware of any plans for this event in the future.” I responded that the Commission is looking into reviving this festival and I would keep the Mayor’s office informed. I suggest if there is a willingness to begin this festival, a Commissioner should begin making contacts to advance this project. ● Commission outreach ○ Begun but experienced technical difficulties ● Would the Commissioners like me to inform the largest grantees: Musicals at Richter, Richter Arts, and the Music Centre that the focus of grant awards is moving toward promoting new programs and as there is COVID relief funding available from the State grants, so City funding for supporting programs could be reduced. ● Ask for authorization for a total of $225.00 to reimburse Gregory Wencek, for Website hosting: $200, Literary contest certificates and frames: $22.70, and Connecticut Open House advertising: $2.30. ● Designs for Danbury Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 of 5 Approved: September 21, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 ○ I spoke with Shay Nagarsheth, Director of Economic Development City of Danbury and he offered: ■ Requirement for a representative from the Mayor’s office on the judging panel ■ Suggestion that the Corporation Council review of the plans ● Commission projects ○ Park(ing) Day September 16, 2022 - Purchase a faux grass carpet not to exceed $50 ○ Sidewalk Chalk Art July 22, 2023 - Discussion with City Center ■ Lazaro Chavez, Manager City Center is interested in a non-funded cooperative venture. He will discuss it with his board. ○ City walking tours each quarter starting in the fall - look for coordination with the Danbury Museum and City Center, both of which already have this program available Appeals from Community groups: Danbury Brass Band - Alan Raph, Director, requests $500 for the Pre-Halloween annual concert The Annual (Pre-Halloween) concert is a variety of music including premieres of compositions and arrangements. The goal of the Danbury Brass Band is to promote music for brass instruments by local composers/ arrangers and instrumentalists.Also to encourage the writing of such music. This Pre Halloween concert will be held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church Oct 30, 2022 at 2:00 PM. The size of the Band has diminished from 16 members down to 14 now. For the concerts performed by the band, about 4 per year, the audience size has increased from approximately 40 up to approximately 60. Concerts perform between 60 to and 90 minutes and are without intermission. This is welcomed by both the audience and the performers. There is also, usually, a meet and greet after each performance. Old Business 1. Ethnic Cultural Festival revival - PPerry Tabled until September. 2. Coordinator's evaluation and remuneration - HCenter The Commision moved to Executive session to discuss a personnel matter. The Coordinator was given a positive review. A schedule for future reviews will be established by the Commissioners. 3. Commission outreach podcast series will continue then expand to include Danbury arts groups. 4. Designs for Danbury - GSmith, AFaham ● The rules appear to be good, with a few clarifications. The Commission should limit the submissions to electronic form and explicitly list the submission formats, and should reserve the right to reject submissions and not award prizes if no submissions are of quality (as determined by the judges). At least 8 submissions are necessary. ● The Mayor should be included in the awarding of the prizes. ● Moved by GSmith that $8,100 be allocated for Designs for Danbury: $5,000 for the selected best idea, $3,000 for the runner up, and $100 for project expenses. Seconded by AFaham. DISCUSSION: The amounts are to insure that businesses take the project seriously and to make it worth their while. CALLED: Motion passed by voice vote with 1 no. Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 of 5 Approved: September 21, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 New Business 1. The Coordinator is directed to inform Derik Pitor that the Commission does not make donations but if his project includes a Danbury component he should apply for a grant. 2. The Coordinator is directed to inform the 3 organizations listed in the Coordinator’s report that their funding could be reduced. Action on Grant Requests: Danbury Brass Band - Alan Raph, Director, requests $500 for the Pre-Halloween annual concert. Moved by EMoore to grant $500 for Concert. Seconded by GSmith. DISCUSSION: This is a City tradition. HCenter: The musicians participate mostly without pay. CALLED: Motion to grant $500 to the Danbury Brass Band passed by unanimous voice vote. Other Business ● Moved by JCooke to reimburse Gregory Wencek a total of $225.00 of Commission expenses for Website hosting: $200, Literary contest certificates and frames: $22.70, and Connecticut Open House advertising: $2.30. Seconded by AFaham. DISCUSSION: none CALLED: Passed by unanimous voice vote. ● GSmith inquired about the status of the enamel pin project. The Coordinator will revisit the plan. Motion to adjourn at 8:00 Made by JCooke. Passed by Unanimous voice vote. NOTE: Corporation Counsel has provided the Clerk's office with the following... Current as of 3/16/20: Effective with Gov. Lamont's Executive Order No. 7B issued on 3/14/20, the requirement of public attendance at all meetings of public agencies is suspended. Meetings are to be held remotely by conference call, videoconference, or other technology, provided that (in summary): 1) the public has the ability to view or listen to each meeting or proceeding in real time by phone, video or other technology. Therefore the Commission office had set up a video conference call which started at 6:15 on Monday evening. Commissioners and the public connected to Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84844473340?pwd=WHJINnZucmJRcitpb2hvZFdjMEErZz09 Meeting ID: 848 4447 3340 Passcode: 028481 One tap mobile: Dial by your location +19294362866,,84844473340# US (New York) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) Meeting ID: 848 4447 3340 Passcode: 028481 Meeting ID:848 4447 3340 Passcode: 028481 If the Zoom video connection is lost, call the backup phone conference at 1-605-475-5950 Access Code: 816120 The meeting started at 6:30 and was not recorded by the Commission. Minutes of the Meeting Page 4 of 5 Approved: September 21, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 Upcoming events Addendum Still River Editions 128 E Liberty St Suite 3, Danbury, CT 06810 Dancing Under The Stars - Danbury City Center THE INNER SANCTUMS by GENE MOORE Thursday, Aug 25 & Sep 30 9 ⋅6:30 – 8:30pm JULY 9 - SEP. 30, 2022 Patriot Garage Danbury, CT 06810, USA OPENING RECEPTION JULY 9, 2 PM - 4 PM *Events sponsored by the Commission Trailer Box Gallery 12 Francis J Clarke Circle- Bethel Ct. Western Connecticut State University City Center Danbury Danbury 's Farmer's Market Friday, July 1⋅10:00am – 2:00pm Weekly on Friday, until Oct 29, 2022 Minutes of the Meeting Page 5 of 5 Approved: September 21, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.